No Kings peaceful protests support American freedoms. Donald Trump MAGA Republicans do not repesent American values

 Echo opinion letter published in the Houston Chronicle:

"Millions rally against authoritarianism, while the White House portrays protests as threats – a political scientist explains," (June 15): 

Contrary to Donald Trump and the MAGA Republican rants, the peaceful No Kings protests were not a rejection of America — it was a salute to the people who have kept us free and protected our Freedom of Speech, and that is a tribute to the U.S. Army. Because without our military, we wouldn’t have the freedom to protest at all. 

Because of the strength and sacrifices made by our armed forces, we have been protected and our Constitution is so far holding to preserve our right to speak out.

For me, this is personal. My father served as a staff sergeant. My older brother fought in Vietnam. My younger brother served in Iraq. My youngest brother wore the uniform of the U.S. Marines. Today, I have great nieces and nephews serving in our armed forces — one of them currently at West Point.

America has long been the shining house on the hill, not because we showed off our strength, but because we lived by our values. We didn’t need tanks in the streets or parades to prove our military might. Our integrity, our ideals and our service spoke louder than any display.

Had the moment been respected, it wouldn’t have been seen as a protest at all. It would have been, effectively, a celebration of the U.S. Army. But instead, the leader of our country saw an opportunity — not to honor the military, but to showcase himself, on the very day we celebrate the birth of our army.

There’s nothing wrong with bragging when you’ve earned it. Champions brag — Super Bowl winners, basketball legends, Muhammad Ali. He called himself "The Greatest" — and proved it in the ring.

But America doesn’t need to brag. When you’re truly great, you let your actions speak for themselves. That’s what earns respect. That’s what keeps peace. Bragging puts a target on your back. And for 250 years, America earned the world’s respect not by going it alone, but by standing with allies, standing on principle and standing for something greater than power.

Today, that respect is slipping. Donald Trump has chosen isolation over unity, ego over example. He seems to believe America stands stronger alone. But that’s not who we are. That’s not who we’ve ever been.

For nearly 250 years, America’s strength has come from its people — its service members, its communities, its ideals. And when we protest, we do so not against our country, but in defense of what makes it great

From J.L. Leonard, in Houston Texas