HONORING OUR INDEPENDENCE THIS JULY 4^TH

My business is securing computers.  In honor of the Fourth of July, here are some facts about the history of securing our freedoms, and my opinion of current events related to our constitutional rights. 

Our founding fathers bravely declared our independence from imperial rule that limited our freedoms.  Representatives from thirteen states met to craft key documents that guided our republic then and today: “…That all men are created equal, … endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”.

• The Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776)
• The Constitution of the United States of America (1787)
• Bill of Rights – 1st 10 Amendments to the Constitution (1791)
• Amendments to the Constitution (1791 – present) – a living document

• the abolishment of slavery (1865) (13)
• the right of Congress to remove government representatives who do not uphold the constitution (1868) (14.3)
• the rights to vote - citizens (1870) (15); women (1920) (19); 18-year-olds (1971) (26)

The 1^st Amendment to the Constitution gives rights for freedom of religion, to peacefully assemble, for free speech, for a free press, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.  The government shall not interfere with these rights.

Within the last month, following videos of the death of a black man at the knee of the police, peaceful protesters assembled in streets across our nation to raise awareness of the plight of those marginalized in our society, solely because of the color of their skin.  The peaceful Black Lives Matter protests occurred across the USA, and across the globe: Toronto, Paris, London, Berlin, Sydney, etc. These protests caused people and institutions to inquire about their own complicity and future action to correct the inequities.

In the last month, we witnessed videos of police and riot-geared personnel mobilized against peaceful protesters and news media in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New York, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and elsewhere.  The videos are shocking of peaceful protesters being disbanded by flash bangs, tear gas, rubber bullets, batons, helicopters, mounted horsemen, police, national guardsmen, and unidentified militia.  Videos show Minnesota State troopers slashing car tires. Our governments have violated the 1^ST Amendment Constitutional rights of peaceful protesters and media reporters.

I applaud the bravery of protesters who assemble despite the threat of coronavirus. I am encouraged that US Congressional Representatives have heard the message of the protests and are crafting legislation to hold police accountable for their actions and to fund more social improvements in place of more policing.

I am hopeful that the freedoms and rights envisioned and guaranteed by our founding fathers will ensure our continued freedoms and rights.  Our democracy is designed by the people, for the people and of the people.  Be sure to vote in November; it is important.

To stay well during the rise of coronavirus infectious, be sure to wear a mask when in public places and wash your hands frequently.  Be well, and may God bless every citizen of the United State of America on this 2020 Fourth of July.