To the editor:

I’ve recently become aware of news that I think is very important for everyone in the country to know about. I would greatly appreciate it if the Journal-World or Channel 6 News would look into this more, but it appears that the government (I’m not sure if it’s state or federal) is keeping certain organizations from helping the town of Greensburg, based on their political affiliations.

Apparently, the Kansas Mutual Aid, a Lawrence activist organization with some anarchist beliefs, recently made their second trip to the town of Greensburg to help with relief efforts. After a short time of being in town, the group was detained by police who eventually, without much explanation, ordered them to leave or be arrested. The group was ejected from the town only after being identified as having affiliations with anarchists.

Now, I am not an anarchist, but I do believe in some of the root things anarchists believe in (workers’ rights, personal freedom, community support, etc.), and I must say, I’m really pretty shocked that they are banned from Greensburg because of a personal philosophy or belief alone.

It seems to me that if a particular group of people is genuinely trying to help in a disaster situation (that everyone can agree could use all the help it can get), that they would and should be welcomed with open arms. I guess I’ve been naÃive, but I’m very disappointed that our government policies haven’t come very far since the McCarthy era.

Matthew Toplikar,

Lawrence