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Freedom Action of the Week
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Free-Market.Net's F r e e d o m A c t i o n o f t h e W e e k
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Edited by Mary Lou Seymour. To subscribe or unsubscribe to this
and other lists, click to: http://www.free-market.net/features/lists/
Second Week of September, 2002
Celebrate Constitution Day
After the American Revolution was ended and the final treaty of
peace signed (September 3, 1783), the nitty gritty work of setting
up a government designed to keep the new nation "free" began.
The Federal Convention convened in the State House
(Independence Hall) in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787, to revise the
Articles of Confederation (which had been adopted in 1781). It soon
became clear that, rather than amend the existing Articles, the
Convention would draft an entirely new framework of government.
All through the long hot summer (without air conditioning!) the
delegates debated, drafting and redrafting the articles of the new
Constitution.
Finally, on September 17, 1787, the new Constitution was signed
by the delegates and sent out to the states for ratification. On June
21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the
Constitution, securing its adoption. The Constitution was ratified on
July 2, 1788.
For this week's action, let's promote the celebration of
"Constitution Day," September 17, to commemorate the document,
unlike any other, produced by the delegates to the Constitutional
Convention.
Sadly, nowadays, a thorough education in history seems to be
taking second place in the schools to "character building" and
"socialization." Many younger Americans -- and their children --
may let the celebration of this important day slip by unnoticed.
Letters to the editor of your local paper on the importance of
Constitution Day may be a good start. For more info on the making
of the Constitution, see the materials (linked below) from the
Constitution Society, FoundingFathers.Info and the National
Archives.
If you have children or grandkids in school (or homeschooling!), the
National Archives has an excellent selection of materials suitable
for use on Constitution Day. You may also want to contact your
local school to see what activities they have planned for
Constitution Day, and if nothing is planned, offer to provide the
materials mentioned above.
While we are celebrating Constitution Day, however, let's not forget
that several states ratified solely on the basis of a promise that the
first Congress would amend the Constitution to include a Bill of
Rights, spelling out the immunities of individual citizens and
restrictions on the central government. The first ten amendments to
the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified
December 15, 1791.
Which brings me to a First Amendment issue that is making news
around the country. This time of year in particular, leading up to
election season, those in power tend to be even more "willfully
ignorant" of the First Amendment than they usually are.
As mentioned in a previous Action of the Week ("Support political
defendant Nathan Barton") Libertarian candidate Nathan Barton
was arrested on August 3 for exercising his free speech rights in
South Dakota . Nathan has pled "Not Guilty," and his trial date will
be November 14. Coverage continues on the Internet and South
Dakota newspapers are now picking up the story.
On August 25, Arizona Libertarian candidate Joe Duarte was
arrested while picketing a debate that was closed to LP
candidates. Joe's initial hearing is coming up September 16.
Reports are coming in from other areas of the country, where
Libertarian, Independent and third party candidates are being
excluded from debates (often held on public property or using
taxpayer money), and, more than likely, other arrests are
imminent.
Please do whatever you can to support these brave "freedom
fighters" who are laying their "lives, fortunes and honor" on the line
for First Amendment rights! Those of you who do have occasion to
step up to the plate, remember the first rule of "confrontational
action" ... don't do it alone and make sure it's publicized. Have a
friend with a camcorder (a video to give to the media and use as
possible evidence in court is vital), and a friend with cash bail
money (never stay in jail a minute longer than necessary). For
more tips on "confrontational action," see "The First Amendment
and You." (While you may not think of exercising your First
Amendment rights as "confrontational," in this day and time, it is.)
Til next week
For freedom!
Mary lou
Links:
o Constitution Society
http://www.free-market.net/rd/5508063.html
o Founding Fathers Info
http://www.free-market.net/rd/4425785.html
o The Creation of the Constitution
http://www.free-market.net/rd/154960622.html
o Constitution Day Activities
http://www.free-market.net/rd/709941897.html
o Support political defendant Nathan Barton
http://www.free-market.net/features/list-archives/activism/msg00059.html
o Nathan Barton's Political Free Speech Case Ongoing Saga
http://www.free-market.net/rd/712772160.html
o Libertarian to face trial for outburst at State Fair
http://www.free-market.net/rd/434139272.html
o Libertarian arrested for displaying protest sign
http://www.free-market.net/rd/564840672.html
o The First Amendment and You
http://www.free-market.net/rd/157430837.html
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