The Fountain Hills Democrats are hosting a free movie night tonight. Selma is about the struggles of black Americans trying to earn equality during the 1960’s using non-violent methods.

It is embarrassing enough that some white Americans were that ugly for many years of our country’s history, but that ugliness is not dead. It is alive and well in Fountain Hills, the town that people like to compare to Mayberry, where everyone is friendly.

There is an angry mob of bullies that troll the local Fountain Hills Facebook pages. You would be shocked to find out how some of your neighbors talk and what they really think and then, in the same breath, they will call themselves Christians. When they noticed the invitation to this movie they started posting threatening comments, trying to intimidate anyone who is planning to attend. At least one of these online bullies seems to be close friends with our town leaders.

Democrats and Liberals in this town are harassed and threatened and bullied every time they speak up. John Kavanagh chastised the Democrats for participating in the Thanksgiving Day Parade. A large Liberal group is afraid to publish the location of their meetings. Individuals acknowledge one another secretly. This is not normal! This behavior does not reflect the American values that we all claim to cherish.

These bullies believe that freedom of speech is only meant for them. It’s ironic that the intention of showing the movie, Selma, is “to strengthen the progressive community in opposition to the country’s current agenda of bigotry and hate.” Apparently it’s going to take a lot more than one movie to learn how our community can become tolerant and civil to each other. I suggest that it could start at the top, with our elected leaders setting an example.