Advocates of street violence, such as Lynne A. Williams, who wrote the column, “Criminalizing dissent” (BDN, Dec. 15), are a worse threat to civil liberty than the USA Patriot Act. Voting at the ballot box is the democratic way to bring about change, not destructive behavior. Apparently she would replace the will of the people expressed through our elected and appointed officials with the will of anonymous and mysterious leaders who organize, incite and direct mobs in violent acts.

Those who attempt, by physical action, to hamper efforts to protect our citizens or to give aid and comfort to our enemies are not just “dissenters.” We are at war. War has been declared against us. We have already been hit by several sneaky, deadly attacks. There are threats of more to come.

Oliver Holmes

Eastport