Bill of Rights Day gets its overdue due
Thousands of Americans helped put Bill of Rights Day back on the calendar yesterday.
In an online promotional effort dubbed “Free to Tweet,” more than 17,000 people, including thousands of students, tweeted or e-mailed their appreciation for the core freedoms in the first 10 amendments to the Constitution on the 220th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights, Dec. 15, 1791. Messages began at midnight Eastern Time and continued throughout the day until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
There actually is an official national Bill of Rights Day — it was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in November 1941. Just days later, however, Pearl Harbor was attacked and the United States entered World War II. The holiday declaration was largely forgotten.
“Bill of Rights Day 2011 was truly special, a first step in revitalizing a holiday established by President Roosevelt in 1941, but largely uncelebrated since then,” said Ken Paulson, president of the First Amendment Center and the American Society of News Editors, two of the organizations that organized and promoted Free to Tweet. “It was inspiring to see the contributions of thousands of young Americans who spoke up for the First Amendment and our most fundamental freedoms.”
Significant big-name buy-in to Bill of Rights Day enhanced the celebration:
- The White House tweeted: “Happy Bill of Rights Day! The US continues to stand with citizens & governments around the world who empower free expression.” It also issued a proclamation urging all Americans to honor and support the day.
- U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., saluted the 220th anniversary of the Bill of Rights on the floor of the House of Representatives.
- Musical artists tweeted their support. Some examples:
Blake Shelton: “I sing what I want, the way I want to. That’s freedom. Support 1st Amendment 12/15. Win $5k scholarship.”
Brad Paisley: “With all the nations struggling for freedom,today is the day to count our blessings. Start with good ol’ amendment number 1.”
Wynonna Judd: “Love your Freedom of Speech? Then tweet #freetotweet today and express yourself.”
Ann Wilson of Heart: “Shake that pelvis, Elvis! Freedom of expression! Support 1st Amendment 12/15. Win $5,000 scholarship.”
Mary Chapin Carpenter: “Happy 220th Birthday to the First Amendment.”
John Oates
“I write songs to share my thoughts & ideas. That’s freedom of speech. Support 1st Amendment today, Dec. 15.”
Sarah Jarosz: “As a musician, I cherish my freedom of expression! Celebrating how fortunate we are to have our First Amendment rights!”
Jason Crabb: “I speak the name of Jesus & sing gospel music! Tks Bill of Rights! Support 1st Amend.”
Jana Kramer: “I express myself creatively to my fans without fear or censorship. Support 1st Amendment 12/15.”
Joe Nichols: “We are free to say whatever we want, but with freedom comes responsibility. It’s a great freedom. Treat it so.”
- As part of the daylong celebration, the Newseum in Washington, D.C., hosted an afternoon conference exploring the role of social media in shaping young people’s sense of First Amendment principles. A classroom guide for teachers, Social Media, the Classroom and the First Amendment, was released and discussed.
The tweetathon at #FreetoTweet encouraged every American to share online how they enjoy exercising their First Amendment rights, in order to raise awareness of the freedoms Americans value but often take for granted.
Students ages 14-22 had an extra incentive to tweet. Every student tweet with the hash tag #FreeToTweet was entered to win one of 22 $5,000 scholarships — a total of $110,000. A panel will select and announce the winners in early 2012.
Here are some sample tweets from the public:
Samantha Melton
“Roses are red, violets are blue. Without the first amendment, i wouldn’t even be tweeting you! #freetotweet”
Eli Alpern
“@1forAllus.. post the black, post the white, post the wrong, post the right, post the sour, post the sweet, post it all, youre #freetotweet”
Chinh Doan
“It matters what young people say about the First Amendment because each generation re-interprets these fundamental rights.”
Greer Schneider
“Without the 1st Amendment our mouths might as well be taped shut.”
Maria Amante
“Of all the amendments, #1 is my #1. #FreeToTweet”
Ashley Brue
“This tweet and all others proudly brought to u by the first amendment! #freetotweet”
Brent C. Folan
“I am #FreeToTweet because of all the men and women who have protected this right by serving in the military. #proudtobeanamerican”
Jessica Lynn Crain
“Happy B-day 2 u, Happy B-day 2 u, Happy B-Day FIRST AMENDMENT, Happy B-day 2 u!! #FreetoTweet”
Shannon Moreau
“We talk, we laugh, we read, we write, we sing, we dance. Freedom of speech rocks! #freetotweet”
Ben Jamin
“The First Amendment goes viral. #freetotweet”
Lorena Valentino
“#FreeToTweet tweets and stones may break my bones but the First Amendment stands behind me!”
“Free to Tweet” is funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and organized by 1 for All, an unprecedented educational and public service campaign that builds understanding of the First Amendment and its five distinct freedoms: speech, press, religion, assembly and petition.
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About 1 for All
1 for All is a non-partisan, educational campaign that was launched in 2010 to address a general lack of awareness by the American public about the five freedoms afforded by the First Amendment. Initial support for campaign was provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Newseum, McCormick Foundation, American Society of News Editors, First Amendment Center and Gannett Foundation. In addition, more than 1,000 news organizations, religious groups and educational institutions have devoted their time and resources in support of the 1 for All campaign. More information at 1forall.us.
About Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. The foundation believes that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. More information at knightfoundation.org.
Tags: 1 for All, Bill of Rights, Free to Tweet
One Response to “Bill of Rights Day gets its overdue due”
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Ken Paulson is president and chief executive officer/First Amendment Center. Previously, Paulson served as editor and senior vice president/news of USA Today and USATODAY.com.
Gene Policinski, senior vice president and executive director of the First Amendment Center, is a veteran journalist whose career has included work in newspapers, radio, television and online.
John Seigenthaler founded the First Amendment Center in 1991 with the mission of creating national discussion, dialogue and debate about First Amendment rights and values.
Dr. Charles C. Haynes is director of the Religious Freedom Education Project at the Newseum. He writes and speaks extensively on religious liberty and religion in American public life.
David L. Hudson Jr. is a scholar at the First Amendment Center. Hudson writes for firstamendmentcenter.org and for other publications devoted to First Amendment issues.
Tiffany Villager is director/First Amendment studies at the First Amendment Center, which she joined in 1993. She also served as the center’s research manager and research coordinator, and developed the center’s library.
Do you know what the Feres Doctrine is?
It is a 1950 US Supreme Court ruling that states that no US Military Service Member has the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances or the right to sue the government for any reason “incident to service”.
This means that when a person joins the military, the military unconstitutionally and without your knowing consent removes your First Amendment Rights from you.
This is used by the military to protect itself from medical malpractice lawsuits, used to remove “whistleblowers” from the military by way of having a Military Psychiatrist diagnose a service member as crazy and then have them medically discharged from the military, and in general get away with anything they want.
A military service member is then a second class citizen.
This method of not allowing a citizen their first amendment rights has not been used since 1836.
The first significant exercise and defense of the right to petition within the U.S. was to advocate the end of slavery by petitioning Congress in the mid 1830s, including 130,000 such requests in 1837 and 1838.[7] In 1836, the House of Representatives adopted a gag rule that would table all such anti-slavery petitions.[7] John Quincy Adams and other Representatives eventually achieved the repeal of this rule in 1844 on the basis that it was contrary to the right to petition the government.
My question to your website would be, “What do you think of this unconstitutional Supreme Court decision?”
Please e-mail me your response as I would be interested in your opinion.
Go to http://www.youtube.com/carlmollnow for video news stories about the Feres Doctrine and some of the people it has wronged.
My father, Major Carl Mollnow USAF, took his case to the US Supreme Court and the Feres Doctrine was used by the Supreme Court to dismiss his case.
Justice in this Country right now, is only for those who do not serve in the military.