Anniversary of the U.S.
Declaration of Independence
What Is Being Celebrated This Fourth of July
Mass actions continue across the U.S. demanding
change. Above, Chicago Pride March, June 28, 2020,
which took up the banner "Black Lives Matter."
The Fourth of July is celebrated as Independence
Day in the United States. It is the day which
recalls the adoption of the Declaration of
Independence of the United States by the
Continental Congress in 1776. By issuing the
Declaration of Independence, 13 British colonies
severed their political connections to Great
Britain. The Declaration summarized the colonists'
motivations for seeking independence, especially
the right to choose their own government.
The Declaration was divided into five sections,
including an introduction, a preamble, a body
(divided into two sections) and a conclusion. The
introduction effectively stated that seeking
independence from Britain had become "necessary"
for the colonies. While the body of the document
outlined a list of grievances against the British
crown, the preamble includes its most famous
passage: "We hold these truths to be self-evident;
that all men are created equal; that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable
rights; that among these are life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights,
governments are instituted among men, deriving
their just powers from the consent of the
governed."[1]
The traditional celebrations of independence day
are not taking place this year, not only because
of the COVID-19 pandemic but also because
nation-wide the people of the United States are
very conscious of the fact that not all people are
created equal. In fact, the institution of slavery
continued for another 86 years after the U.S.
became independent of Britain and today's
conditions stem from the social relations which
continue to exist rooted in slavery and the
Constitution. This includes the wanton killing of
Blacks by heavily armed police who enjoy
immunities justified by alleged necessary use of
force. Present practices are reminiscent of the
slave patrols of yesteryear.
In this issue, TML Weekly is publishing
several items relevant to the courageous movement
taking place in the United States at this time
against the racist treatment of Blacks, police
brutality and impunity, for peace, democracy and
justice.
We start with the speech delivered by the famous
abolitionist Frederick Douglass on the occasion of
July 4, 1852 to fellow abolitionists, as well as a
video which features his descendants today
rendering that speech. Frederick Douglass
(1818-1895) escaped slavery in Maryland. He
subsequently became a staunch national leader of
the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and New
York, and a social reformer.[2]
A photo review follows which continues to show
the militant actions being organized across the
United States to demand change.
Notes
1. history.com
2. Ibid
This article was published in
Volume 50 Number 24 - July 4, 2020
Article Link:
Anniversary of the U.S.
Declaration of Independence: What Is Being Celebrated This Fourth of July
Website: www.cpcml.ca
Email: editor@cpcml.ca
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