To the editor:
Sen. Roger Marshall told the crowd at Clara Barton Hospital the protesters who attended his scheduled July 8 meeting in Holyrood intended to disrupt the meeting, causing him to cancel the visit. Wow, those United States flags some of them held screamed communist agitators, and of course the sunglasses and hats must have been worn to hide their identities. Of course that’s ridiculous, we are simply Kansans concerned for our nation.
Some of us were from Holyrood, the rest from neighboring counties, and one was visiting family who now lives in the KC area; all exercising their First Amendment rights. The one that includes the right to express ideas and opinions without fear of government retaliation, except for incitement or defamation.
Sen. Marshall evidently no longer accepts that section of our constitution. Ever since he was challenged by constituents at a March 1, 2025, meeting in western Kansas, where he made a hasty exit, he’s been quaking in his deck shoes. In Marshall’s world, unless you are in lock step with the Trump administration’s agenda and don’t question anything, you’re an outside agitator.
Protesting is as American as apple pie. The colonists’ protested with the Stamp Act, Townsend Boycott, the infamous Boston Tea Party, and more. We simply wanted our signs to draw attention to several issues important to Kansans, such as the decrease in SNAP funding, the attempt to disenfranchise voters with the SAVE Act (especially women), continued abuse of immigrants by ICE, and control of the federal government by billionaires.
Marshall hasn’t held one town hall meeting with constituents since March 17, 2025. In our democratic republic, he is charged with representing ALL constituents, not just those who agree with him. By dodging those who disagree, calling them disruptive, rude and paid agitators, he’s isolated himself from the Kansans he represents.
It’s a real shame the senator is so afraid of Kansans who hold different viewpoints. His fear of constituents deprived the town of Holyrood a chance to show off housing improvements they’ve made through federal grants.
By the way, we’re still waiting for our checks from George Soros. His people told us we’d be paid whether Marshall showed up or not. And that’s as ridiculous as Marshall’s fear of being challenged by his constituents.
Pam Martin
Great Bend
