What amendent was trampled?

Editor: I would like to respond to Steve Hansen’s article in the Sentinel on May 26, in which he states that the current situation has led to a “trampling of the Bill of Rights,” a statement which has no basis in fact.

I wonder which of the 10 amendments Mr. Hansen sees as being trampled.

One: Freedom of religion, speech, and the right to peacefully protest? No.

Two: The right to bear arms? No.

Three: Protection from being forced to house soldiers in our homes? No.

Four: Protection from unreasonable search and seizure? No.

Five: Protections when accused of crimes? No.

Six: Right to a trial by jury? No.

Seven: Right to a jury in federal cases? No.

Eight: Protection from excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment? No.

Nine: Entitlement to other rights that are not listed specifically in the Constitution? No.

Ten: Any powers not guaranteed to the Federal Government in the Constitution belong to the states and the people? No.

What rights, then, is Mr. Hansen referring to? Not a single one of these rights has been taken away from us, although some news and social media outlets would have us believe otherwise. What is needed on both sides of the political divide and the COVID-19 issue is more adherence to facts and a better understanding of our democracy.

When there was a demonstration on the corner of Lower Sacramento Road and Kettleman Lane, a sign was being held up that said “Freedom not Fascism.” In a fascist system, such as Mussolini’s government in Italy during World War II, anyone holding a sign like that would probably have been executed for doing so.

Locking the state down to try to deal with a public health crisis bears not even a remote resemblance to fascism. For our country to survive the current threats to our democracy and our health, we need to deal with facts rather than fearmongering and misleading information. Mr. Hansen is absolutely entitled to his opinion but his misleading statement is not helpful and only helps perpetuate the misconceptions that are so rampant right now.

GAIL MICHALEK Lodi