Embarrassed by protests

Have any of the protesters who blocked airline passengers or, perhaps, ambulances rushing to heart attack victims, police en-route to a child injured by a runaway driver, firemen rushing to a blazing high-rise or a family wanting to visit the park, thought how much better their time could have been spent had they contacted their local immigrant-refugee agency and volunteered to assist present and future refugee arrivals? They could be gathering furniture/household items, teaching them how to navigate the bus system, enrolling their children comfortably in school, extending a hand of friendship by taking them to a local coffee shop and helping them with conversational English?

This kind of support is what they need. Yes, some may be inconvenienced for a few hours or days while the United States once again secures its borders. The refugees will understand because they are escaping treatment so much worse and will appreciate a welcome here.

I find the recent demonstrations very disturbing; eight years ago when the former president made similar unsettling-to-some radical changes, you did not see this kind of resistance in the streets. I am embarrassed for our country.

Roger Long

Mead