to the editor: It was inspiring, if not uplifting, to read about our students from so many high schools protesting the nationwide immigration raids (“'We want change to happen.' Los Angeles County students walk out over ICE raids,” January 30). Furthermore, it was also encouraging to read that the American-born Pope Leo XIV was issuing a strong and courageous exhortation to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops by “strongly” condemning Washington's “aggressive tactics” (“Los Angeles archbishop celebrates 'Mass for peace' as students protest Trump's immigration policies,” February 4). Yes, now is the time for all good citizens to come forward and speak for “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” for all.
Perhaps the most notable words of Thomas Jefferson in your letter to George Washington on January 4, 1786, reflect my feelings: “In my opinion it is an axiom that our liberty can never be secure except in the hands of the people themselves.”
Tom Kaminski, Manhattan Beach
