Thursday, July 02 2009 @ 09:12 AM GMT+5 Contributed by: Anonymous
The second annual public reading of the Declaration of Independence will take place at 9:15 am at Pliny Park (corner of Main and High Streets) just before the start of the July 4th Parade.
In an effort to reconnect us all on July 4th to the reason for our celebration, the entire Declaration of Independence will be read aloud. Bill Conley from Dummerston started the reading last year and wants to make it an annual tradition to remind us of the committment to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness which created this nation and the responsibility we have as citizens to vigilantly promote and defend these values.
Last year the reading was dedicated to the people of Zimbabwe whose election was stolen from them and this year the dedication of the reading goes to the people of Iran who met a similar fate recently in their attempts to ensure popular sovereignty.
Members of the audience who wish to read a section of our founding document are welcome to join. Hope to see you there.
PS. Despite my efforts to interest the Reformer in including this news in their reporting of July 4th events, they ignored my news submission last week so I'm grateful to have iBrattleboro as a public news source to announce an event that I feel is a true expression of Independence Day patriotism.
Authored by: BillConley on Monday, July 06 2009 @ 12:43 PM GMT+5
Thanks to iBratt for the immediate posting and for you all who posted
comments. There were 4 teens from an SIT program studying Current
Issues and Youth Activism who came and took turns reading. Two were
from Ireland and as an Irish American it was a joy to hear them read
from our founding document.
The Reformer actually did print it on Saturday morning but it was buried
on the calendar page so that accounted I think for only a few people in
attendance.
Hope to publicize it more effectively next year.
Bill C
Authored by: pjmelton on Monday, July 06 2009 @ 02:59 PM GMT+5
Perhaps you could get in touch with someone at the Chamber or Parks & Rec, as they are the ones who send out the news about other 4th of July activities. One of the Chamber members might be able to help you find the right person to speak to. Perhaps the co-op or BS&L would support your event with a small grant to help with advertising. (Member list is here: http://www.brattleborochamber.org/chamber/memdir.php)
If you get an early start - say four weeks ahead, so you can make sure all your ducks are in a row - you might also be able to have it announced on the radio stations as a PSA.
--- "Economic laws are not made by nature. They are made by human beings." -- FDR
Rights is your favorite?"
Thanks for taking everyone back to the source. I think this is a great
tradition to have.
Sort of like reading James Joyce on St Patrick's day. : )