Finally, I am responding publicly on the cancellation of an event I sponsored (with Flyby News) in the Community Room at the Greenfield Public Library on Oct. 9. It is the library’s policy to demand that I would pay for police presence if warranted. The library contacted me by email two days before the Oct. 9 event. This was two days following the first anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack in Israel.

One of the films I wanted to show exposed evidence that Israel had some complicity regarding the horrendous events of that day in 2023. I have been searching for many months now to discredit information in the film. A discussion would have allowed me to get more feedback.

I had permission from the filmmaker, John Hankey to show the film, and it is published on YouTube and my blog post: “October 7: Film and Discussion.” I think we should have a separate fund to pay for police presence to not allow a threat to prevent a public event, even on controversial issues. Freedom of speech and assembly has been at risk especially since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

I hope to best support Greenfield, the library, and those who may agree or disagree with me. Freedom of speech and assembly is crucial to free our minds from media conditioning. When you see the news media become certain on one thing and not look at it from many other angles, they are not using the scientific method that would challenge all points of views.

Censorship and oppression have become commonplace. Discussions on such issues are key to not only debate our differences, but to see where we may agree. Discussion and communication makes a community a community, and aligned with principles of the U.S. Constitution.

Jonathan Mark Haber

Warwick