In response to Karen Clark’s letter to the editor regarding the March 11 30th District Town Hall: This was for the Democratic Party. Of course it’s going to be partisan. This was not meant to be a neutral venue. Guess why people were soliciting membership in the Democratic Party? Because this was a Democratic Party meeting.

You wanted the Pledge of Allegiance? Did you ask? Now you’re complaining, and I’ll bet you said nothing at the time. Also, there was probably more to do than waste time reciting it. I have the greatest of respect for my country and embrace the fact that I have freedom of speech. I use that freedom in a positive way, whenever I can. I get tired of people that complain afterwards but do nothing about it at the time.

“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out —

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out —

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out —

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.”

— Martin Niemoller

As for the pink pussy hats? I’m a proud maker of 19 of those so far. Two went to the Women’s March in Washington DC. Many others, including mine, were in the march here in Seattle. One was knit for a Federal Way School Board member. One went to a professor at Shoreline Community College, one to a trauma nurse at Harborview. That’s one heck of a group that you will always want on your side. Those pink hats are signs of kinship, family, a way of uniting against the overwhelming possibility of losing rights. I wear mine whenever I can and have had some incredible conversations because of it.

Sam Hamilton, Auburn