As I retrieved our newspaper yesterday morning, I was shocked to see the Harris-Walz sign missing from our yard. It had been stolen.

Although I naively didn’t expect it, I shouldn’t have been surprised. This isn’t the only election when this has happened. Although we’ve had campaign signs in our yard for many elections, this is the first one of ours that’s been taken.

I’ve noticed a scarcity of campaign signs around town. I suspect some citizens aren’t willing to display them for fear of reprisal from the opposing side. 

Our sign had been the only one in our subdivision. Soon after our sign went up, our next-door neighbors (four male college students) put out Trump signs. Interestingly, their two signs were not stolen.

People who steal yard signs likely don’t read newspapers, so they probably won’t read this letter. But it’s worth acknowledging what’s happening. This practice is illegal. Whoever is stealing signs might consider it mischief, a lark or a prank. But it’s mean spirited and serious. It’s an attempt to quash free speech. An effort goes into obtaining a yard sign, and when it’s taken from private property, it’s unlawful.

In this election, Trump’s allies are trying to suppress votes, purge voter rolls, file bogus lawsuits, make last-minute changes to vote counting and certification, intimidate election workers and disseminate misinformation. In other words, attempts to cheat in order to win (steal) the election.  It’s sad that this election has such an abundance of vitriol. Heaven help us!

Wanda Thorne

Starkville