To the Editor:

Seeing Alex Hammond speak at the Black Lives Matter march on August 15 and walking with Potsdam BLM on the anniversary of the March on Washington was heartwarming.

Regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or sexuality we are all Americans and are equal. It’s not often as a Black man in the North Country, you see someone not only stand up for you, but also with you.

Hearing Alex Hammond speak at the BLM protest that happened concurrently to the politicized “Back the Blue Parade” was one of the strongest things I’ve ever seen. It takes true strength and courage to speak out against racism and prejudice in an area that is unfamiliar with people that don’t look like them.

Courage and strength is what this country needs to save us from the circus that has become our government. By standing up for black lives, Alex Hammond is proving that he is the right man to represent the river district. The river district doesn’t need cowards who are scared to stand up for what is wrong.

The river district doesn’t need someone who is scared to make the correct moral choices and is scared to oppose racism and injustices.

The river district doesn’t need someone who fuels that fans of hate and fear. We need a champion of the people. One who rises against injustices and stands with the people. One that uses logic and benevolent morality in the face of ignorance. That man is Alex Hammond.

Daniel Jones

Potsdam