Dear Editor: Barbara Lien's Letter was Misleading

Dear Editor,

Barbara Lien's Letter to the Editor in the Ledger's April 2nd issue is somewhat misleading. Nationally it is true that Indivisible's mission is to elect progressive leaders and to defeat the Trump agenda. However, local chapter mission statements vary to some degree. Protecting, not rebuilding, our democracy and institutions is a part of local chapter mission statements as well as "Indivisibles."

I have attended three meetings of the Whitehall Indivisible group and can categorically state that this is a non-partisan group in that opposing views are not censored and in fact are welcomed. For example, while I certainly support defeating President Trump's disastrous agenda, I am not for promoting progressive, far left or far right candidates for public office. These meetings are a civil exchange of ideas which should be encouraged, not buried or censured with opposing dogma. It is refreshing to me that courtesy is shown to all individuals at these weekly meetings no matter their views. The diversity of our group is one of our strengths and is the epitome of grassroots.

Is the name Indivisible taken from the Pledge of Allegiance? So what? Are not we all loyal Americans and Montanans first and foremost no matter what our views are? Is the rent a mob comment referring to the Proud Boy and Oath Keeper insurrection on January 6th of 2021 in which the People's House was defaced? Rest assured that Whitehall Indivisible is a non-violent group. Implying anything else is misleading.

DON LEPINSKY

Whitehall, Montana