Readers’ comments: August 2, 2024

A Laemmle love letter … and call to arms
Dear editor:
I love our Laemmle theater in the Claremont Village. However, I’m concerned that it will fail due to lack of attendance. The location is perfect! It’s such a pleasure to attend a movie and then grab a bite or an ice cream, all within strolling distance.
Why isn’t it more popular? Do people not know about it?
Ann Ellis
Claremont

In praise of Claremont’s e-bike subsidy program
Dear editor:
As a participant in the e-bike program [“Council report: e-bike subsidy program continues, for now,” July 26] and a resident since 1992, I’d like to add my personal insight into why this program is so worthwhile for Claremonters physically, mentally and financially.
Yes, there is a cost that the city is paying, and our taxes support the effort. These costs are more than offset by the lower pollution, better health, and friendly camaraderie we all enjoy. Think about the overall benefits: less traffic on our street is obvious. More interaction with people as you ride your bike and take in the beauty of our lovely neighborhoods. Doing errands, getting to a local job and a general overall good mental boost is what every ride brings us. The fact that we have dedicated bike lanes, like the recent addition on Towne Avenue, makes biking so much more enticing to many people. As well as fewer pollution issues, fewer potential car accidents, increased health for the bikers who are getting places on their e-bikes (or any bike!).
The use of these bikes improves our home values and the feeling of living in a progressive city that is actually putting its resources to a positive use. Expanding the program is something we should all support. They make riding a health benefit from improved physical coordination to reduced stress trying to find a parking space downtown or simply going grocery shopping without the bother of guzzling more gas. This mode of transportation truly brings a positive joy to all of us. Thanks!
Jim Allgaier
Claremont

Pomona’s response to prosecution of protesters is wrong 
Dear editor:
It’s a sad announcement that Pomona College plans to further escalate the arrests of their own students by their recent decision to press charges against them [“DA charges 19 Claremont Colleges students stemming from April 5 protest,” July 26].
Last April, students occupied the president’s office for less than an hour protesting the removal of their artwork that addressed what’s happening right now in Gaza.
Pomona College leadership demonstrated that they were not equipped to provide opportunities for students to exercise their right to free speech when they contacted our local police department who, in turn, sent out riot squads from three other local cities who showed up in riot gear and assumed riot squad formation in response to the protests.
That day, Claremont Colleges student demonstrators were simply following a tradition of college student demonstrations that has taken place throughout the history of this country. Pomona College’s reactionary measures were not helpful in creating dialogue between administrators and their students.
The Colleges should have other resources available to deal with their protesters before relying on our public police and law systems to mitigate their grievances with their own students. Pomona College’s response to this event was not only outsized, but came at an enormous and unnecessary taxpayer expense — not just from the calling out of riot squads, but now through continuing court proceedings. There is no little irony here that Pomona College, a private, well-endowed institution, is relying on the public to pick up the tab on what was a college event.
In the meantime, as a citizen of Claremont, I don’t feel safer as a result of either these police or legal actions at Pomona College’s bequest — just poorer.
Pamela Casey Nagler
Claremont

Political environment is disheartening, to say the least
Dear editor:
I am utterly insulted and angry at the current political environment. Instead of working for the people of this country, they are blinded by the impending election in November and ignoring their sworn duty to the people of the United States.
The GOP has gone full throttle in their collective attempt to subvert the election process by encouraging lawsuits in each state to keep the opposing party’s nominee from being placed on the ballot. The pathetic fact is the Republican party is trying to win the White House by forfeit and strip each American’s right to vote for their leadership in an open election. Apparently, all these elected officials must have failed their government lessons in school to stoop so low. Or worse, doing so knowingly to kill off our democratic republic.
The United States of America was founded on the principles of freedom for all who live on her shores. When I listen to or read about the platforms of a major political party vying for power in the government, it is extremely disconcerting that these core beliefs are being challenged at every turn.
The framers of the United States Constitution got it right 235 years ago and it has worked very well for all that time. And when changes need to be made, there is a process that involves all the states and the people weighing in on it and accepting or reject the proposed amendment by vote.
The United States is at a crossroads on whether to continue with our democratic republic or vote away our freedoms we have so earnestly fought for over two centuries in favor of autocratic/oligarchic rule. Once our democracy is gone, it will take a lifetime to recover.
Larry Horowitz
Claremont