Members of Congress recently returned home to town hall meetings packed with angry constituents, demanding answers for the direction the current administration is taking our country.

Those constituents were labeled “professional agitators” by some in Congress and “liberal activists” by our own president.

To recap, members of the legislative branch and the president, who were elected by the people to represent the people, work for the people and serve the people of this country, claimed that those same concerned people were not, in fact, legitimate.

So, who are the “liberal activists” and “professional agitators?”

They are mothers, fathers, students, teachers, business owners, lawyers, farmers and grandparents. They are neighbors, veterans, volunteers, doctors, nurses, public service workers, contractors and retailers.

They are you. They are me. They are all of us.

They are concerned citizens who are learning to use their voice to fight for what they believe is right. They are people who never thought to get involved in more than voting until now. Yes, they are organized, but they are real people, and not paid protesters.

They are demonstrating what democracy looks like.

You may not share their politics and that is fine. It is important to have many different ideas working together to make this country better.

However, for our president and members of congress to make a public claim that the concerns of the people they serve are not legitimate is an insult to our democracy. It is a direct effort to divide us and prevent us from finding common ground.

This is common practice for the current administration, and now Congressional representatives have fallen in line to make false claims against those that disagree with them.

Calling fellow Americans “enemies” creates a feeling of “us and them.” It is also an attempt to make those who are opposed to a policy feel vulnerable and alone, and prevent them from speaking up.

The grassroots effort that is rising is real, comprised of real people, with diverse backgrounds, wanting representation and a listening ear from those that are in Washington. They are individuals who deserve respect as citizens and should be heard, not delegitimized.

This is a right that all of us deserve, no matter what our politics.

ANGELA BELL

St. Joseph