As a minority faith leader who has dedicated his life to social justice and equality. And as a veteran who has dedicated a large portion of his life to serving and protecting the citizens of our great nation and its Constitution, I have watched with hope and pride as America's newest Greatest Generation has taken to the streets to protest and demonstrate against the 400-year long systemic abuse of non-dominant culture races, religions and ethnic groups by government and its police forces.

The immense energy and spirit of this social justice reckoning has swept across America and many parts of the civilized world.

In our area, a small peaceful group of concerned citizens in Saxonburg lent their moral energy in protest against the abuse of American citizens. Unfortunately, someone said, “Boo” and the vigilante group that calls itself the Minutemen turned out in armed glory to defend themselves against their own fears. They are not a part of America's newest Greatest Generation.

Here in Butler, an estimated 300 to 400 citizens also turned out to peacefully (except four bad apples and four dumb ones) support social justice reform. Due to unfounded rumors, our local police had to turn out to defend against a non-existent “riot.”

In Diamond Park, dedicated to our brave veterans who answered freedom's call in defense of our nation and its Constitution, more armed vigilantes showed up to monitor citizens exercising their First Amendment rights.

I have chatted with one of the vigilantes who stated that he was requested to come guard the monuments in the park so that the police could concentrate on controlling the protesters. He stated that he was a “patriot.”

My concern is what government official requested the support of untrained armed vigilantes to support our more than capable police departments? Did the county commissioners request their help? Was it the Butler city police department? The Butler County Sheriff's Department? Are our taxpayers liable for the cost of legal actions, injury or incidents caused by the presence of armed vigilantes supporting local police on government, citizen owned property? I believe that Butler City and Butler County residents deserve and answer to these questions.

In a related issue, I have watched with interest, our elected officials response to the national issue of social injustice and police brutality. Both U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, and state Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, have stated that they support our citizens right to assemble and protest. I would like to remind them that it is their job to defend the First Amendment rights of Americans. However, neither Mike nor Marci have come out in support of the millions of Americans who desire the fulfillment of the promises of our Constitution or specifically against the systemic abuse of our minority citizens.

I would like to invite our representatives to come to Diamond Park, among the monuments dedicated to those who served our nation and protected our Constitution from enemies both foreign and domestic, make a statement condemning police violence, social injustice and the use of and threats of use of our nation's military forces to engage the citizens of our great nation as combatants. Take a knee and acknowledge that as long as injustice persists there can be no peace in America. Perhaps those armed vigilantes will show up to protect those monuments from you.

Just to put things in perspective, there are 940 active hate groups in America. In Pennsylvania, there is one KKK group, three neo-Nazi groups, five White Nationalist groups, four Racist Skinhead groups, one anti-LGBT group, three anti-Muslim groups, 10 general hate groups, and 28 anti-government “patriot” groups. The Neo-Confederates that you see locally are not yet an organized group in our state but are loosely supported by 26 groups in other states. And yes, some of these groups and/or their members are active in our area.

In closing, I ask all of our citizens to stand up and ensure that the promise of our Constitution applies equally to all: for without justice there can be no peace in our great country. God bless and guide you to light and love.

The Rev. Moshom Greathead,Native American Metis Nation of North America Butler