Support and criticism for police at UNH after arrests at May 1 student protest: Letters
Thanks to the police for upholding standards on UNH campus
May 6 − To the Editor:
Thank you to the Durham, NH Police Department and the University of New Hampshire Police Department for your continued commitment to the University of New Hampshire and Durham communities. Consideration for ALL members of the community and their safety and adherence to the law is your duty, and you continue to fulfill that duty with great diligence. When standards are clearly defined, there should be no question why people end up in trouble, especially when agreed upon standards are disregarded and ignored. Holding one’s self to a higher standard and respecting one's community should be the rule, not the exception. Please know that there are many of us who support you and greatly appreciate your continued commitment and diligence to enforcing the law regardless of social pressure.
Jen Fuller
Hampton
Stop believing lies from Hamas and outside agitators
May 7 − To the Editor:
These anti-Israeli protests are not just college students, a large number are professional agitators. If this was a protest against Black people or transgender people it would have been stopped immediately and rightly so. Stop believing lies from Hamas, and giving them what they want. Palestinians that have been killed is on Hamas' hands using civilians as human shields, they are the ones committing genocide.
Hamas just killed 4 IDF soldiers delivering aide to the Palestinians. Hamas cannot be trusted. Israel is the only Democratic state in the Middle East. Some Palestinians live in Israel so their children will get an education and not learn to hate, they’re happier living in Israel. While others have a pass to work in Israel but live in Palestine, people of all faiths live in Israel. This is exactly what happens when people don’t remember history, it repeats itself, what we are seeing is what happened in Germany before the Holocaust. This is also what happens when we don’t have a strong leader. Biden needs to fully back Israel and stop appeasing Hamas. Remember Hamas just doesn’t want to wipe Israel off the map but America as well, we are next. Israel needs to defeat Hamas fully, because after Oct. 7th it has to be NEVER AGAIN. I never thought I would see this happen in America. It’s shameful and disgusting. I have always supported and stood with Israel and I always will.
Mrs. Jacqueline Gorman
York, Maine
Riot response inappropriate at UNH peaceful protest
May 2 − To the Editor:
Last night, at the University of New Hampshire (UNH), I witnessed an unsettling display of excessive police force during a peaceful student protest. The demonstration had a legal permit and aimed to raise awareness about the ongoing conflict in Palestine. It also called for UNH to divest from Israel due to its military actions and human rights abuses.
Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, police in full riot gear were deployed, undermining the students' right to free expression and representing a serious misallocation of resources. The student-led protest, which had a legal permit from 6 to 8 p.m., was calm and respectful. The protesters discussed the conflict in Palestine and UNH's financial ties to Israel. At no point did the students display aggression, even when the police chief, Paul Dean, aggressively began dismantling their encampment. The protest organizers, community members and faculty tried to negotiate with the university's senior vice provost of student life, Kenneth Holmes, pointing out that tents had previously been set up on T-Hall lawn without issue. They assured officials they were simply raising awareness and would keep noise levels low if the police backed off. Despite these assurances, the police presence grew, culminating in a state police deployment with riot gear, batons, helmets and tear gas launchers creating an atmosphere of intimidation.
The overwhelming police presence was disproportionate to the situation, suggesting that a peaceful protest could be treated as a threat. This aggressive response not only disrespected the students' rights but also indicated a misjudgment by the university administration. The heavy-handed tactics raise questions about UNH's approach to student protests and free speech on campus. To prevent such overreactions, UNH must reevaluate its policies on protests and adopt a more proportional approach to campus security. Riot gear should be reserved for extreme situations, not peaceful demonstrations. Additionally, the university should address the underlying issues raised by the protesters, including its financial ties to Israel. By promoting open dialogue and supporting peaceful activism, UNH can rebuild trust with its students and create a more inclusive campus environment
Brigitte Herz
Durham
Most pro-Palestinian protesters are not antisemitic
May 3 − To the Editor:
The Encyclopedia Britania defines Semite as, “name given in the 19th century to a member of any people who speak one of the Semitic languages, a family of languages spoken primarily in parts of western Asia and Africa. The term therefore came to include Arabs, Akkadians, Canaanites, Hebrews, some Ethiopians (including the Amhara and the Tigrayans), and Aramaean tribes.”
Most pro-Palestinian protesters are not antisemitic. They are for an end to violence against semitic Arabs, both Christians and Muslims. They are for an end to the military occupation by Israel and its destruction of Gaza. They are not against Israelis because they are Semites or Jews. They are against them because the Israelis have turned the occupied territories into open air prisons and Gaza into a moonscape. They want the killing to stop. It seems those opposed to them must want the killing to continue.
Politicians claim that the phrase “from the river to the sea” calls for genocide of Jews. When Palestinians use it, they end it with “Palestine will be free.” They are calling for statehood and freedom from occupation.
In 1977, Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu’s party manifesto included "Between the sea and the Jordan there will only be Israeli sovereignty." Netanyahu used it again on 18 January 2024. The Prime Minster isn’t just calling for ridding Palestine of Palestinians; he has spent more than a decade driving them off their land and handing it over to Israelis. Many Israelis and some American Jews call the Occupied Territories Judea and Samaria. Are they denying Palestinians the right to exist?
Arabs and Jews have been fighting over the same land for more than 90 years. It is a minority that want the fight to continue, but America and Iran keep supplying them with weapons. America not only arms Israel it uses its UN Security Council veto to prevent Israel from being held accountable for its crimes and to prevent recognition of a Palestinian state. That should stop.
Walter Hamilton
Portsmouth
Springtime is Creeksmart time
May 4 − To the Editor:
Spring has sprung and Summertime is near. We’re cleaning up after a windy winter and contemplating another season of lush, green, Hollywood looking lawns. But…wait. Hold on! Let’s get “Creeksmart”.
Before you head to the hardware store to stock up on fertilizers, perhaps take a pause to consider what the run-off from all those chemicals are doing to our local waters. Phosphorus and nitrogen are used in fertilizers because they promote plant growth. Unfortunately, when these nutrients leach into waterbodies, they continue to promote growth and may trigger algal blooms. In turn, algal blooms have a negative impact to water quality by reducing water clarity, reducing water oxygen levels, and ultimately threatening the survival of fish and other aquatic life. Runoff of nitrogen and phosphorus can also impact our ability to enjoy our local waterways since algal blooms can make the water unhealthy for swimming or paddling.
So, while existential issues like global warming dominate the news, there are steps those of us close to our beautiful creeks, rivers, and oceans can take right here at home. The Shoreline Protection Act actually contains important regulations. No Fertilizers within 25 feet of the shoreline. From 25 feet to 250 feet only slow or controlled release fertilizers containing at most 2% phosphorus and 50% slow release nitrogen. And, no pesticides within 50 feet of the shoreline including organic pesticides (unless by a licensed pro).
And there are other protective steps to consider. Don’t overwater the lawn. If you feel you must fertilize, a single proper application in early Fall should do. Aerate your lawn and when you mow, keep it at 3” or higher. Leave those grass clippings right where they’re cut…makes the best natural fertilizer! if you have a lawn care company that takes care of your property, tell them that you want them to use CreekSmart practices, and do without the fertilizers or pesticides. Don't let them convince you that you can't have a green lawn without them. These are all pretty easy steps to healthier waterways.
Paul Hodes
Kittery Point, Maine
Short-term rentals are a business and should be regulated in York
May 5 − To the Editor:
To York residents I ask you to please Vote YES on 64. For a couple of simple reasons.
Short Term Rentals (STR) are a business. Plain and simple. They need to follow York town rules and ordinances. They need to be inspected, permitted and insured. Bed and Breakfasts, hotels and motels are required to have these ordinances and follow them. Short Term Rentals are no different. They rent out rooms or a whole house. They are a business and should follow what other rental businesses are and have been doing for some time now. Why STR owners think they are different and should not have to follow York ordinances is beyond me.
Article 64 is a basic, common sense ordinance. It has a short 3 year Sunset Clause for review of the ordinance. It will make STR consistent and make sure they are safe for not only the visitors renting but also safe for the neighbors.
Just taking a quick look on the Airbnb site that lists Short Term Rentals for York, I was amazed to find that some do not have basic safety features. No Carbon Monoxide alarms, first aid kits, fire extinguishers. One listing had none of the safety features, not even a smoke detector!
So safety is a definite issue with Short Term Rentals. Don't let anyone tell you it is not.
Bottom line is STR's are a business and should be treated as such. Subject to inspections, permitting and being insured.
Please Vote Yes on 64. Thank you for considering my opinion.
Nan Martin
York, Maine
Voters must send Trump and the MAGA cult to the trash bin of history
May 1 − To the Editor:
Yesterday on Meet the Press, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) refused 6 times to say that he would accept the results of the presidential election if Trump lost. That exchange led me to think of the power of cults and their leaders. A cult is defined as a system or group or people who practice excessive devotion to a figure, object or belief system, typically following a charismatic leader. Some of the most notorious cult leaders include Jim Jones of the Peoples Temple, David Koresh of Branch Davidian, Charles Manson, and Adolf Hitler, the most sinister of all cult leaders. The common element shared by all these cults and their leaders is that they all ended in disaster for the cult leader, their followers and in Hitler's case, even the entire nation.
As exemplified by Tim Scott, The United States is currently witnessing the effects of a cult that took hold around 2016. The Donald Trump political movement quickly evolved into a cult that demands total devotion and allegiance to Mr. Trump. Despite his losing the 2020 election after a failed presidency, his incitement of an insurrection, multiple felony criminal and civil charges, and declining physical and cognitive health, his cult members remain more loyal and devoted than ever. How else can you explain people with little extra money to spend sending Trump donations, buying his gold plated sneakers, and most ridiculous of all, buying bibles from him? Trump selling bibles is as hypocritical as Putin selling copies of the NATO Charter.
The MAGA cult is a clear and present threat to the Constitution and the future of our Republic. The MAGA cult has been able to take total control of the Republican Party and will nominate Trump for President once again this year. Since the legal system influenced by politically compromised judges refuses to hold Trump accountable to the rule of law, our last recourse is the American people who will hopefully finally bury this cult in November with a huge election defeat and send Mr. Trump and his cult to the trash bin of history before they can take the nation down with them.
Rich DiPentima
Portsmouth
What's your opinion? Write to us.
Please keep letters to 250 words or less. Submissions must include the writer’s first and last names, city or town and a daytime telephone number (which is for verification purposes only and will not be published). Send letters or commentaries to opinion@seacoastonline.com. Letters from Seacoast-area writers addressing local topics will be given priority for publication.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Support and criticism for police at UNH following arrests: Letters
