1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the U.S. Coast Guard's revised policy on hate symbols, set to take effect next month. This alarming change reclassifies swastikas and nooses from "hate symbols" to merely "potentially divisive" symbols. This shift is not only morally reprehensible but also poses a significant threat to the cohesion and integrity of our armed forces. The new policy, detailed in the document "HARASSING BEHAVIOR PREVENTION, RESPONSE, AND ACCOUNTABILITY" published on November 14, represents a dangerous step backward in our nation's commitment to equality and respect within our military. By relaxing guidelines on Confederate imagery and other symbols of hate, we risk fostering an environment of intolerance and division within the Coast Guard. This policy aligns with broader Trump administration directives to loosen hazing and harassment rules, a move that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has defended as addressing overly broad previous regulations. However, this justification fails to acknowledge the very real and harmful impact these symbols have on service members and the public trust in our military institutions. Swastikas and nooses are not merely "potentially divisive." They are unequivocal symbols of hatred, oppression, and violence. Their presence in any form within our armed forces sends a chilling message to minority service members and undermines the Coast Guard's ability to operate as a cohesive, respectful unit. I urge you to take immediate action to reverse this policy change. Our military should be at the forefront of promoting unity, respect, and equal treatment for all. Allowing hate symbols to proliferate under the guise of avoiding division is a grave mistake that will only serve to create more discord and undermine the values our armed forces are meant to uphold. Please use your position to demand that the Coast Guard maintain its previous, stricter stance on hate symbols. Our service members deserve a workplace free from the intimidation and hostility these symbols represent. Act now to ensure that our military remains a bastion of American values, not a haven for symbols of hate and oppression.