Dear Editor,

My name is David Knight, and I’m a Marine veteran and resident of this community for 11 years. Recent events left me feeling powerless but getting involved in the community has replaced that with empowerment.

I invite you to join a demonstration from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 1, at the Elkhart County Courthouse lawn in support of May Day Strong.

As a veteran who swore an oath to defend the Constitution, my journey began after the Capitol attack on Jan. 6. I was stunned by the collapse of safeguards against tyranny. The cowardice of leaders bowing to a despot nauseates me. Never, I say!
Peaceful protest and mobilization are my means of fulfilling that oath. We the people are the system — working people who pour our blood, sweat and love into society. Together, we can end tyranny under an authoritarian oligarch.

May Day is a historic day for working people worldwide, commemorating labor movement battles for fair wages, safer conditions and basic rights. Today, those hard-won rights are under attack. We must continue the fight through peaceful protest and civil disobedience.

Our demands: Stop billionaire corruption, protect Medicaid and Social Security, fully fund schools, health care and housing, end attacks on marginalized communities and invest in communities, not wars.

Join me, May Day Strong and Indivisible on May 1.

• When: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 1, 2025
• Where: 101 N. Main St., Goshen, IN 46526

Together, we can achieve better.

In life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,
David Knight