To the Editor:

In “Congress of the United States, City of N.Y.,1789” “Bill of Rights” “Article the Third,” “Congress shall make no law, abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

Thousands have died to protect these rights. A “free press” and “to petition” were intended to protect us from the bad actions of government and those who govern.

The intent of the calls to the petition holders was to do harm to the right of Mr. Kelly Kahler “To Petition.” By fax , phone, e-mail and in person The Deefield Valley News and the The Brattleboro Reformer were given great information early on that a violation of the Constitution had taken place in Wilmington yet the press chose to withhold vital information from “the People.”

An editorial condemned Mr. Kahler as if he was a villian and articles in both papers told a story as if a little violation was no violation at all. Mr. Kahler has a legitimate civil rights lawsuit against the town. The lack of a “free press” is substantial to prove collusion between the parties to undermine Mr. Kahler’s rights. The “free press” failed in its duties as expected under the Thomas Jefferson doctrine as a protection of our democracy.

All of the petition holders who were called should have made sworn statements, yet they were not and every time they are called their voice weakens. One merchant and a selectman have first-person knowledge of wrongdoing, yet the police have not taken their statements.

The park is no longer the issue. Now the petition has a life of its own. Every citizen should be outraged that petitions have been withdrawn, lost, and stolen because of the lack of interest in this vital part of our democracy and a cover up by the government and press.

This is a travesity of justice and we want Iraq to be like us.

If you don’t see the evil in this entire event that so substantially violates our “Bill of Rights,” don’t celebrate the Fourth of July.

Al Wurzberger

Wilmington