I rely on The Forecaster for well-reported local news. Your one-sided coverage of the rally and protest organized by activists with Portland Racial Justice Congress on July 15 was disappointing. It is clear that your reporter did not attend the event, relying on public statements by city officials for the story. Why was no effort made to obtain comments from any of the 200-plus participants of the non-violent protest?

The sensational use of an uncaptioned front-page photo of a person of color shouting next to a white police officer was a lazy, irresponsible choice. It does not summarize the non-violent atmosphere of over four hours of rally and protest. All that photo does is strengthen the false notion that the movement for black lives is an us vs. them, anti-police movement rather than a movement for dignity and justice. We see enough of this in the mainstream national media. I ask that local media in Maine do better.

Carolyn Barschow
Westbrook