Due Process Is on the Line
Dear Editor,
Immigrants are today’s scapegoats—but the Constitution belongs to all of us.
Most Saturdays, I stand with a small group of mostly women on the bridge connecting Winthrop to Boston. We hold signs facing the traffic such as, “Save Due Process. Save DEMOCRACY.” “STOP ICE.” “Liberty and Justice for All.”
Some drivers honk in support. Others look away. A few show their anger. But we keep showing up.
My views and responses on local issues are at odds with many, but those of us holding signs share a conviction: the federal government’s current approach to immigration undermines both the Constitution and our shared values. Standing on that bridge is our way of making our dissent visible, even though we may differ on what to do about it.
History’s Warning
In 1939, the ship St. Louis, carrying 937 Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany, was denied entry by Cuba, Canada, and the United States. Forced back to Europe, many of its passengers later perished in the Holocaust.
That tragedy helped inspire the United Nations—and the United States—to enshrine the right to seek asylum in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was a recognition that turning away the vulnerable is not only inhumane but dangerous to the moral fabric of a nation.
The Present Crisis
Yet in 2025, immigrants are too often portrayed as “illegal,” “dangerous,” or “criminal.” If a person is found to be guilty of criminal activity they should be prosecuted accordingly. For immigrants this may mean deportation. In reality, most are pursuing asylum claims—a legal right under U.S. law.
Immigrants are accused of taking jobs from “real” Americans, though economists consistently show that immigrants strengthen our economy and create more jobs than they displace.
It is convenient for some to blame those who cannot defend themselves for the flaws in our legal, financial, and social systems. But it is unjust. Men, women, and children navigating a complex legal process—who have committed no crimes—should not be jailed, harassed, or stripped of their rights.
The Stakes for All of Us
Due process—including habeas corpus and the right to a fair trial—is not optional. It is the cornerstone of our Constitution. When we erode it for some, we weaken it for all.
Immigrants are simply the latest scapegoats for those who would chip away at our freedoms. Tomorrow, it could be another group. The danger is not just to them—it is to the rule of law itself.
Why I Keep Showing Up
I don’t stand on the bridge because it’s comfortable. I stand there because silence is complicity. The way in which we express concerns are up to the individual. We are better than this. And we must prove it—not only with our voices and our signs, but with our votes. The Constitution belongs to all of us. And if we fail to defend it now, we may find it gone when we need it most.
Suzanne Swope Ed.D.
Councilor, Precinct 4
Thank You For Giving
Dear Editor,
Donations to the Winthrop Community Food Pantry were abundant. This Town has rallied in light of the governments shut down and the non-existence of Snap Benefits.
We would like to thank everybody that gave a donation to the Winthrop Community Food Pantry. It was very much appreciated. Because of you, we were able to feed hungry families that relied on Snap Benefits’ and are no longer hungry!
Thank you very much Winthrop Food Pantry