1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for the people to sever the chains of oppression forged by tyrants, criminals, and corrupt officials who have usurped the will of the people, it is our duty to reclaim our nation and restore democracy, equality, and justice. We, the citizens of the United States, declare that the government, once founded to serve the people, has been overtaken by those who seek power, pervert religion into a tool of control, and betray the nation for greed and dominance. The so-called leaders of this era—plutocrats who hoard wealth while millions suffer, demagogues who spread fear to maintain control, and zealots who impose their beliefs—have abandoned their duty. They have distorted history, undermined education, suppressed dissent, and dismantled institutions meant to safeguard our freedom. We present our grievances: That Donald J. Trump, a would-be king and enemy of democracy, has led a movement of deceit, corruption, and lawlessness, infecting the government with a mafia-like grip that has crippled the rule of law. That the Republican Party, no longer a party of ideas, has become a cult of power, abandoning the Constitution for Christian fascism, subjugating women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ citizens to impose authoritarian rule. That wealth has been concentrated in the hands of a few, who buy politicians like pawns, turning democracy into a corporate fiefdom controlled by the highest bidders. That genocidal dictators abroad and their sympathizers within our borders have been embraced, as America’s supposed leaders seek to emulate authoritarianism instead of defending human rights. That corruption festers at every level of government, where laws are ignored, election results denied, and institutions weakened to allow tyranny to rise without resistance. That our history—of struggle, resistance, and progress—has been rewritten and erased, replaced by propaganda designed to keep the people ignorant and obedient. That freedom of speech, the press, and the right to protest have been criminalized and labeled treason by those who fear the power of truth. We, as free citizens of the United States, reject these false rulers and their illegitimate claims to power. America does not belong to tyrants, criminals, or those who impose religious doctrine upon a secular nation. It belongs to its people—regardless of race, creed, gender, or background. With unwavering resolve, we pledge to resist the forces of oppression, reclaim our democracy, and restore the principles upon which this nation was founded. We will not be ruled by fear, nor will we allow the past to be rewritten to justify a future of darkness. We will rise, as those before us have risen, to demand justice, reclaim our freedom, and ensure America remains a land of the free. To this cause, we mutually pledge our voices, efforts, and, if necessary, our lives. The time for silence is over. The time for action is now.