At post offices across America people rallied Tuesday to support the U.S. Postal Service, it’s workers and democracy by participating in #SaveThePostOffice.
It was the third time this month, Dave Bishton and Shari Malloy, Longmont residents and political activists, organized rallies outside the post office at 201 Coffman St.
Many at the rally said they are concerned about President Donald Trump’s ongoing criticism of voting by mail, which he said perpetuates election fraud. Trump earlier this month told Fox News he opposes some funding for the Postal Service because he doesn’t want it used for mail-in votes.
“We are really here to support the post office but also to support mail-in voting and democracy, which we enjoy very casually and easily here in Colorado. But a lot of states don’t have that luxury or they are concerned about the logistics of it,” Bishton said.
Lynette McClain plants American flag in post office planter. (Photo by Macie May)
“Whatever your political position, I think we can all agree that this is the most important election in most of our lives. People need to be able to stay safe and still vote and know that their vote is counted. For that we need the U.S. Post Office and more mail-in ballots,” Malloy said. “We are fortunate here, in Colorado, but even here any threats to service or cutting hours and funding doesn’t guarantee that people will get their ballots turned in on time and counted.”
The National #SaveThePostOffice movement has a list of demands that include providing at least $25 billion to support the USPS, stopping mail slowdown policies introduced by Postmaster General Louis Dejoy and providing resources for timely mail delivery that will ensure public confidence in a voting-by-mail system, according to The Action Network.
Longmont protestors also had a list of demands for politicians who can change policy. Bishton said he hopes states change their ballot receipt date to accommodate slower mail service and allocate the resources, including funds, to the USPS to ensure that mail can be delivered everywhere.
“I’m not convinced with the verbal assurances of ‘Don’t worry it will be fine,’” Bishton said. “I would hate to have an election that is tainted nationwide. I know we have had close calls and recounts with 2000 being the biggest one but that came down to a few states. If this is now a nationwide issue it could be chaotic, and I don’t want to see that.”
Malloy said, “Specifically, Cory Gardner, as our U.S. senator, I would like to see him talk to other Republican senators and bring the act to the floor to protect and fund the post office during the pandemic and for this election.Put the nastiness aside and the agendas aside and let people vote and do so safely and effectively.”
In addition to the mail-in ballots, some other protestors were concerned about the delay in mail delivery.
Hazel, a member of the Facebook group Eyes on Longmont and a Longmont resident who declined to share her last name, said the rally at the post office is only one of the issues on which she takes a stand, the first being the environment.
She said she was in attendance because “we all use the post office and it is underfunded now and there is a very good chance that it will not be funded to the extent of its needs.”
She said she also is concerned about the recent removal of mail sorting machines across the country, which has delayed mail delivery.
Longmont resident Lynette McClain also said she is concerned about the potential loss of the USPS.
“The post office is so important to us and I am going to do everything I can to save it,” she said.
McClain’s parents receive their prescriptions via mail and have often worried about getting their medications on time. In recent months, prescriptions have arrived either the day before or on the day their supplies ran out, causing them stress, McClain said.
Hazel holding her Louis DeJoy Must Resign sign at Longmont Post Office. (Photo by Macie May)Hazel and James Kinsington both wished to see DeJoy resign or “be fired” as expressed by Kinsington. Neither think DeJoy is doing a good job in supporting the postal service.
Bishton said he has not seen the mail delivery truck as often or at its usual times in his neighborhood.
He has a family member who is a former USPS worker in a rural community.
“I know how hard she worked,” Bishton said. “When I understood that there was a potential slowdown in mail delivery, especially in states that have requirements for ballots to be in no later than Election Day, that’s a big concern.”
Bishton and his group have had a few interactions with mail carriers who have stopped by previous rallies. He said one woman began to cry and professed how hard postal workers have been working and wanted to thank rally attendees for their support of the Postal Service.
Only one postal worker, Jesse, would speak to the Leader when approached outside the post office, however he also declined to provide his last name. He was unaware of Tuedsay’s rally. He said he feels the USPS in Longmont will not experience any delays in getting ballots turned in on time because the system in Colorado is established and simple enough. As for resources he said the USPS should stop making deals with Amazon that cut its income.
Bishton said, “We want this to be a positive thing for the carriers and to know that we appreciate them and to know that the success of our democracy depends on them with mail-in voting. Nobody else is going to carry that burden.”
