I am writing to express my disgust for those people who think “rolling coal” — the practice of deliberately emitting large amounts of black or grey exhaust containing soot and incompletely combusted diesel — is funny or acceptable behavior.

Several friends and I, most of whom are retired and in our 60s, 70s and 80s, gather for a peaceful protest every Tuesday at noon. We do so because we love our country and are concerned about the future of our democracy. We hold signs and smile and wave to passing cars.

Most drivers honk or wave back or give us a thumbs up. Some refuse to look at us. Others give us the finger or yell obscenities at us. It’s their prerogative and we accept that. However, occasionally, drivers of pickup trucks, who are offended by ideas that don’t adhere to what they see or hear on Fox News and Newsmax or on conservative talk shows and podcasts, expressed in a public space, will pass us while rolling coal and laughing. How is this legal?

Personally, I consider it to be an assault on us. Some of us have health issues, including asthma and other respiratory ailments. Yet we come out when we can to express our concerns about the health of our nation. We are practicing our First Amendment rights. I would like to see a police presence at all of our future protests.

Cecile Thornton
Lewiston