1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

Condemn the Coast Guard's tolerance for swastikas and nooses. The U.S. Coast Guard announced that they will no longer classify nooses and swastikas as hate symbols. Instead they will be deemed "potentially divisive." Please condemn and reject this policy change. The swastika is an emblem of fascism and white supremacy; it is inextricably linked to the murder of millions of Jews. More than 400,000 U.S. troops died in WW II fighting against Nazis and fascism. A noose is also an unambiguous symbol of racial hatred and white supremacy and vigilante murder. Persons who hold the beliefs associated with those symbols should have no place in the military or law enforcement. Will you allow the United States to betray our veterans, our history, and basic moral decency? Will you tolerate a creep towards Naziism on your watch? Silence is compliance: I am counting on you to condemn this change loudly and unambiguously.