In Miami Beach, mayor ignores First Amendment. On college campuses, protesters abuse it | Opinion

Meiner’s overreach

I am astonished that Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner wishes to ban the film “No Other Land” and close the O Cinema. This is totally against our rights of free speech. O Cinema is a Miami Beach jewel. As someone who voted for Meiner, I am frankly shocked at his response.

Is the mayor aware the film won an Oscar and that two of its producers — ✓Yuval Abraham and ✓Rachel Szor — are Israelis?

Will the mayor close our libraries if he doesn’t approve of their book collections? Will he close our museums if he doesn’t like some paintings?

His action is deplorable. I have written to him and urge others to do the same.

Joyce Zaritsky,

Miami Beach

Campus protests

The disturbances at Columbia and other universities after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas terror attacks on Israel included camping on campus property, taking over buildings, breaking university windows, doors and furniture, disturbing classes, removing police barricades and preventing Jewish students from freely attending classes. At George Washington University in D.C., protesters defaced buildings and statues with anti-Semitic graffiti and draped a statue of George Washington in a Palestinian flag. They defend their actions by claiming freedom of speech.

This is the equivalent of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, when law officers were attacked, windows and doors were destroyed and Georgia GOP Rep. Andrew Clyde insisted that the insurrection was an organized tour of tourists.

I doubt that in ✓1791, when the First Amendment was ratified, our founding fathers intended it would be used to excuse such actions.

Steven Z. Levinson,

Miami Beach

Peace for Ukraine

Often, the Miami Herald prints a letter or two from readers designed primarily to slam President Trump and his position on one issue or another. In the March 16 letter, “Risk of war,” the writer called Trump ignorant for wanting peace in Ukraine, claiming that ceding one inch of Ukraine’s territory would be the first step toward another world war. This is as simplistic and wrong as can be.

First, Trump has always been about peace. During his first term, not one major conflict broke out for the first time is decades. Second, the first step toward getting us embroiled in a world war would be for any NATO country to commit troops to a country where the U.S. has absolutely no vested interest. Trump already got NATO countries to raise their member contributions by some $800 billion, allowing these countries to bolster their own militaries and security without us going broke sending billions to other countries.

All one has to do is review Trump’s first term to see that his policies work. The Biden administration and arguably, Obama’s eight years in office, decimated the country internally and on the world stage. To expect Trump to fix it overnight is foolish.

Dave Schaublin,

Key Largo

Canceling speech

Free speech is a historically protected hallmark of our democracy, contrasting with many nations where autocratic leaders jail or execute dissenters against set national policies. The arrest of Columbia University student ✓Mahmoud Khalil for protesting Israeli violence against Palestinians is an alarming break from the free speech protections Americans expect.

There is no evidence Khalil threatened violence nor that he supported the terrorist group Hamas. Indeed, Khalil’s role at the demonstration was to negotiate peaceful resolution between protesters and university administrators.

Khalil’s ”crime” is apparently that his protest clashed with President Trump’s support for Israel’s policies and Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu. This is especially disconcerting, as Trump granted full pardons to Jan. 6 rioters who smashed their way into the U.S. Capitol and assaulted police defending the Capitol.

Apparently, one can say or do anything if it aligns with Trump’s values, but you risk retribution if your words or actions clash with his.

Nathaniel Batchelder,

director,

The Peace House OKC,

Oklahoma City, OK

Public policy

Is the United States a business entity or is it meant to be run like a nonprofit?

President Trump managed during his first term to appoint Louis DeJoy as Postmaster General. DeJoy, however, has done nothing to make the post office financially sound. Instead, he removed mail boxes and made it more difficult for those in low income areas to vote by mail. He could have saved millions just by reducing delivery from six days a week to five.

Trump and Elon Musk are in no position to privatize public service agencies. As a businessmen, Trump had six bankruptcies and Musk ruined a good social media company. Entrepreneurs often take risks and sometimes they fail. That should not be the mission of government agencies, as it will likely hurt civilians, not investors.

Nancy Cogen,

Miami

Harmful decision

As a Miami-Dade County Public Schools teacher, I am appalled that the goal of President Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE minions is to shut down the Department of Education. Public schools open their doors for every child, no matter their wealth, health, race, religion and sexual identity.

Our public schools, in all 50 states, desegregated since the ✓1954 Supreme Court ruling of Brown v. Board of Education. We cannot let the states determine the fate of our public schools. The federal Department of Education oversees the vital resources for students with disabilities and special needs, provides necessary funds for kids in high poverty districts and funds programs that protect students from sexual harassment.

I am angry, ashamed and horrified that children will no longer be guaranteed these life-changing resources and they might not be allowed sit in racially desegregated public school classrooms.

Mayade Ersoff,

Palmetto Bay

Skip the Beach

I love Miami Beach and visit about once a year. I just returned from a great vacation last month at The Palms Hotel. However, I am alarmed to learn that the city’s mayor might punish a local theater for showing an award-winning documentary that didn’t have his personal approval.

I value free speech and expression and will be taking my tourism dollars to the Florida Keys if Miami Beach becomes a city that embraces censorship. I encourage all residents to speak out on this issue.

Katie King,

Yorktown, VA

Must-see film

I thank Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner for his threats to cancel the lease of O Cinema over its decision to screen the documentary “No Other Land.”

Without Meiner’s actions, I would not have heard about the film, which has been playing down the street from my home. I rarely attend the cinema, but I caught the film recently and it was excellent.

Thomas Busse,

Portland, OR

Leading women

March is Women’s History Month, dedicated to recognizing the incredible contributions of women who have shaped the history of Florida and our nation. This year’s theme, “Women: Moving Forward Together,” is a reminder that progress is inevitable when we support one another and work toward shared goals.

Florida is home to many women civil rights leaders and cultural icons. Zora Neale Hurston, a celebrated author and anthropologist, captured the stories of Florida’s Black communities. Betty Mae Tiger Jumper was the first woman chair of the Seminole Tribe of Florida who fought tirelessly for Indigenous rights. These women continue to inspire generations.

Despite the progress made in women’s rights, some challenges, including workplace discrimination and wage gaps, still exist. The Florida Commission on Human Relations enforces anti-discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations to ensure equal opportunities for all Floridians. For resources or for more information, visit fchr.myflorida.com/ or call 850-488-7082.

This Women’s History Month, let’s honor those who paved the way, celebrate those who are breaking barriers and join forces to drive progress in every aspect of our society, moving forward together.

Cheyanne Costilla,

executive director,

Florida Commission on Human Relations,

Tallahassee