Readers respond: Condemning violence shouldn't depend on viewpoint

The Oregonian/OregonLive's article, 'Group chat underscores divisions among Democrats after activists confronted state senator,' (Aug. 28) raises an issue that goes far beyond disagreements within the Democratic Party. I condemn violence. All violence. I condemn domestic violence, political violence and street violence. I condemn violence by police officers when they exceed their lawful authority, and violence by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents when they do the same. I condemn violence by protesters and by those who oppose them. That principle should not depend on who is committing the violence, who is receiving it, or whether we agree with the cause supposedly being advanced. We live in a time of deep political disagreement and enormous frustration. Protest is legitimate. Anger is legitimate. Confronting elected officials with difficult questions is legitimate. Peaceful civil disobedience has an honorable place in American history. Violence does not. We weaken our argument against violence when we condemn it only when it comes from the other side. Democrats, Republicans, progressives and conservatives should be able to agree on at least this much: political disagreement is never a license for intimidation, assault or violence. MORE BY LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Readers respond: Growing up with Gloria Steinem's message Sep. 6, 2026, 7:00 a.m. Readers respond: 'Big, beautiful bill' must be repealedSep. 6, 2026, 6:30 a.m. If we expect others to reject violence committed in their name, we must be equally willing to reject violence committed in ours. Chuck Riley, Hillsboro Riley served in the Oregon House from 2005 to 2011 and in the Oregon Senate from 2015 to 2021.