On Saturday, June 11, the Alpena County Democratic Party (ACDP) organized a “March for Our Lives” event to coincide with marches of the same occurring across the country. Event organizers obtained county and city permits to gather and march. The purpose of the march was to show solidarity for the victims of gun violence and demonstrate support for stricter gun legislation. “March for Our Lives” is a survivor and youth-led movement born out of a mass school shooting in 2018 and revived in the wake of recent mass shootings in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas.

Event participants gathered on the courthouse lawn and planned to march down Chisholm Street and through downtown. The ACDP expected a counter-protest but were in disbelief when a group assembled directly across the street brandishing assault weapons.

Four men from this group positioned themselves downtown on the corner of Chisholm Street and 2nd Avenue carrying assault-style semi-automatic weapons visibly equipped with 30-round magazine clips. Although not confirmed, if loaded these clips can discharge 30 bullets in under 30 seconds. To add to the incredulity, these men shouted vulgarities and profanities at the event participants which consisted of adults and children. The Alpena News printed a picture of these men. A reasonable assumption is this crude, threatening and disrespectful behavior was intended to intimidate and generate fear for the participants of a peaceful march honoring gun violence victims and advocating for legislative change.

This happened in our town on a busy Saturday afternoon while people were enjoying outings and shopping in the downtown area. The police were notified, but did not intervene. Threatening and angry men, shouting vulgarities and profanities, holding semi-automatic assault-style weapons with visible magazine clips, standing on a busy downtown street corner…constituting clear and present danger. This happened in our town.

DIANE O’CONNOR,

Alpena