Before the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, the Founders debated its tenets and precepts. Thanks to the anti-federalists, led by Patrick Henry, the Bill of Rights was added to the U.S. Constitution. The 1st Amendment says, in part:
"Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
The right to protest and petition the government is a fundamental right which we enjoy as citizens. It is a right which we should exercise frequently to restrain the growth of federal powers and to demand the restoration of citizen's rights usurped by the government.
America has a long history of protests in Washington D.C., going all the way back to the Coxey's Army march in 1894. However, the most memorable marches in our nation's history belonged to the Civil Rights movement. In 1913, Alice Paul (no relation to Ron Paul) led the Women's Suffrage March in D.C. to demand the right to vote. This civil rights effort, coupled with civil disobedience, culminated in the passage of the 19th Amendment:
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."
The 1950's-1960's televised the great civil rights marches for racial equality. The battle for equality went all the way back to the founding of our nation. Back in 1870, following the Civil War, Congress passed the 15th Amendment which protected the right to vote, regardless of race:
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."However, blacks and other races continued to be disenfranchised and denied the right to vote because of their inability to pay poll taxes. One consequence of the Civil Rights movement was the enactment of the 24th Amendment in 1964 which outlawed poll taxes:
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax."
Led by inspirational men such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the civil rights movement of the 20th century changed the core values of America. By standing up, speaking out and refusing to back down, a segment of Americans defeated seemingly insurmountable odds to secure their God-given rights.
Marches have been a hallmark of the civil rights movement. Over 200,000 marchers gathered on the National Mall to listen to Dr. King give his famous "I Have a Dream" speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. As a result of this effort to protect and restore civil liberties, blacks no longer were made to sit in the back of the bus or give up their seats to white men. No longer were they compelled to suffer the humiliation of having to drink from separate water fountains and patronize "black only" restaurants. The civil rights movement was a success because people just didn't have the good sense to know when to quit.
Are we not called to the same noble cause of freedom?
With the passage of the USA Patriot Act, the Real ID Card, and other nefarious and invasive legislation, the federal government has challenged the civil liberties of ALL Americans. This unchecked tyranny has awoken a sleeping giant: the American people - and now it is time for us to make the government pay. Let us proclaim as Patrick Henry, "Give me liberty - or give me death!"
Ron Paul is, without question, the greatest civil rights leader since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. No individual has done as much in the last few decades to restore the constitutional rights of US citizens. He is our file leader to whom we look for inspiration and guidance. Dr. Paul has called for a grand march on Washington D.C. to protest the degradation of our liberties and the media blackout of our just concerns.
I don't care when or where Dr. Paul calls for this great civil rights march on the U.S. capitol - I will be there. Now is the time to begin to rally our forces, committing everyone we know to prepare for an historic statement of resolve and unity. Spread the word - the government is going to recognize our constiutional rights and the media is going to pay for its insolence.©2008 Jake Morphonios, all rights reserved. You must have written permission from the author in order to republish this work.
Published: Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Last modified: Tuesday, February 12, 2008
The views expressed in this article are those of Jake Morphonios only and do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Jake Morphonios is solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
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Reader Comments:
Posted By: doug
Date: 2008-02-12 12:11:18
How about a memorial day march, there is no better time to get the press coverage
Posted By: Todd
Date: 2008-02-12 12:44:57
To gather in protest with fellow supporters is a great idea. To get together in the name of freedom and liberty would be an awesome event. But to get together in hopes of gaining media attention? That is the wrong reason. I'll go to D.C. for the right reasons, but the MSM can kiss my ass, along with every other RP supporter.
Posted By: Christopher Hickman
Date: 2008-02-12 12:57:06
The best date is June 21st, the 220th anniversary of the ratification of the Constitution. It is a Saturday and school will be out, so we can have more student involvement.
Posted By: Vincent B.
Date: 2008-02-12 14:02:59
I agree with Christopher
"March for your rights
March for freedom
March for the Constitution
On June 21st, 08 at the National Mall"
Posted By: Vivian
Date: 2008-02-12 14:28:23
I would have to fly in to D.C. from Wyoming so would need a bit of time to make plans but would like to suggest scheduling before the National ID Card is implemented. I'm thinking many folks (myself included) won't be flying anywhere after that.
Posted By: Chris
Date: 2008-02-12 14:38:59
OK, I've heard from other sites that the march will take place on April 5th and july 4th and undecided. So when is it?
Somebody get a hold of the Paul campaign and have the campaign people either announce a date or confirm one thats already been announced.
Posted By: dan robbins
Date: 2008-02-12 15:06:24
I believe they are going watching us and seeing what we say we think it should be, taking that into consideration with Dr. Paul's political Knowledge they will organize it.
Posted By: RPV
Date: 2008-02-12 15:44:32
The date has been decided already by the campaign. June 7th 2008. 06-07-08.
Posted By: brian
Date: 2008-02-12 16:43:53
I agree with Todd above.
I will march for Freedom, Liberty, and the Constitution of the United States.
I will march to wake people up to the dangerous path our country is headed if we don't counteract soon.
But I will not march to get media attention.
Posted By: Jake Morphonios
Date: 2008-02-12 16:59:10
February 12th - FROM OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN WEBSITE As Dr. Paul mentioned in his last video message, an official Ron Paul march and rally in Washington, D.C. is in the works. A date has not been set yet. Most likely the event will be in the late spring or early summer. We’ll announce details once plans are firmed up and a date is chosen. Planning something of the size and scope that we have in mind takes time, so please be patient. It takes money, too, on top of what we need to keep fighting for the Republican nomination and build up the Ron Paul revolution in every precinct in the country. Keep donating, and while plans for the D.C. rally are coming together, hit the streets of your neighborhood and rally Ron Paul supporters to vote for him in upcoming contests through the Precinct Leader program. Our battle to take back the country is just getting started.
Posted By: Fephisto
Date: 2008-02-12 17:26:50
Sorry to be nitpicky Jake, but it's an important word:
constiutional
Posted By: wakeup2change
Date: 2008-02-12 19:03:22
go to: www.revolutionmarch.com It is already in the works. We did a conf. call on Friday night. You can go to this site, sign up for emails, and get all the most recent info. Right now there are two dates Dr. Paul put out there. You can vote for the one you want. He is a short vid to pass on and spread the word. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TUFfEp0pkY We can do this, together!
Posted By: Sakshale
Date: 2008-02-12 20:25:17
I don't like either day. The 4th has too much else happening ... and the weather will be hot and humid. Memorial day distracts from its purpose ... remembering those who served. I would like something with a patriotic theme or some day that has not current theme -- which can be remembered for what we start.
Posted By: Trans-Mutant
Date: 2008-02-13 15:32:46
The revolution march is vital to taking over our government structure. We need a huge show of force in DC on the 21st. of june.
We can take over the government from the bottom up, just as effectively as from the top down. Realize that if the house and senate majorities are Ron Paul conservatives, which is to mean members who WE vote into office running on RPs platform, then we have areal voice like it's supposed to be. Abuses by a president would be a lot less likely and impeachment power would be a reality once again.
This revolution can take back our country by democratically rooting out fascism and replacing congress and senate with members who obey the constitution.
We need to stick together, march together and increase our numbers.
Posted By: JC
Date: 2008-02-13 16:26:36
We need to think about the Liberty March on a large scale. There have been several marches on Washington with attendance estimates close to one million, notably the Million Man March in October 1995. Ron Paul says ours has to be big, or it will be an embarrassment. Shouldn’t we try to make it the largest in history?
In addition to filling all the planes and trains, a million people is going to require 200,000 vehicles – cars, motorcycles, vans, busses, motor homes. The convoy of 40,000 vehicles coming down I-95 from the north will stretch for 200 miles and take 4 hours to pass. The convoys from the west will be even larger.
This has to be bigger than the Ron Paul campaign. This needs to be everyone who wants to take our back liberty from a government that is out of control. This needs to be huge, or we’re a joke at the end of the evening news.
We want our liberty back!
Posted By: Heath
Date: 2008-02-14 17:47:45
Hey, Todd.... getting media attention is merely an afterthought, did you miss all that stuff up there about "The right to protest and petition the government" or "demand the restoration of citizen's rights usurped by the government" or "standing up, speaking out and refusing to back down" or "noble cause of freedom" or "to protest the degradation of our liberties" or "historic statement of resolve and unity".
i think you just like to tell people to kiss you @$$. grow up.
This march is for all the RIGHT reasons and I will be there. I doubt Todd will show up though, he'll be too busy fighting people off his @$$.
Posted By: Vetnam Vet
Date: 2008-02-15 11:45:01
June 21st seems the best, my wife and I will be there!
Posted By: gravel kucinich paul nader
Date: 2008-02-15 22:19:27
4 Wise Men march with the people in Washington DC
your eyes & ears are open...
Mike Gravel Dennis Kucinich Dr Ron Paul Ralph Nader
united by truth elicit fear smear blacklist.
Too many lies,
democracy rising democracy now.
Rage against the machine.
Honesty compassion intelligence guts.
No more extortion blackmail bribery division.
Divided we fall.
Posted By: moshe kerr
Date: 2008-02-17 02:34:36
The enemies of the Ron Paul Republican Leadership Movement have tried, attempted, pleaded, ass-umed,propagandized, spouted useless provda style rhetoric and all manner of unethical dirty tricks, they have sought to tag Ron Paul as a Libertarian. The 3rd party label masks their fear of his threat to Republican Party leadership. The March on Washington has basic fundamental goals: 1. The neo con leadership of the GOP has proved the bankrupcy of the
Posted By: moshe kerr
Date: 2008-02-17 03:26:20The March on Washington has basic and fundamental goals: 1)The neocon dictatorship of America has proved the bankrupcy of the Bush sr's styled "new world order". 2)The Conservative Abolishionist Opposition (CAO) headed by Ron Paul rejects a european alliance to corporate feudalism that enslaves the people into corporate serfdom. 3) The CAO rejects the european Central and regulated Bank. It catagorically opposes the demoralization of American free market economies with socialist Washington centralized economic planning. 4) The CAO rejects regulated banking that the enemies of the Constitution employ to finance big government at the expence of the American people. 5) The CAO endorses Free Banking, Open Markets, and Court enforcement of divestiture of Corporate Monopolies, starting first with the Central Bank. 6) The CAO by this March seeks to up-stage the RNC and to exile the neocon gop from government. Our voting block announces our opposition unto the voodoo economis of the Bush new world order, to monopoly regulation of trade and markets. 7) This March the CAO announces its intent to take control of the GOP following the political exile of its current neocon leadership. 8) The CAO initiates with this March the intention to take control of the GOP reorganize and redirect the GOP VISION OF LEADERSHIP and in the future, take Washington by storm - to reestablish the Mandate Authority of the Constitition as the supreme law of the Federal Government. 9) The CAO having overthrown the neocon voodoo economics, intends to reinvest the authority of Congress to regulate all branches of the Federal bureaucracy. To authorize Congress with the power to terminate employment of any and all civil servents who fail to comply to the standards of employment determined by the Congress of the United States.
Posted By: moshe kerr
Date: 2008-02-17 03:39:46Google people's war. The MSM - the March must not invite, nor offer VIP status to any MSM reporter. Rather we should invite an "outside force", the foreign press. And take full advantage of the international support that people in Europe, Canada and other countries approve of the Ron Paul vision. All peoples who favor free markets and an end to socialist centralized economic planning we must encourage to make the March to storm Washington. The March seeks to arouse the passions of America to preserve our FREEDOMS.
Posted By: moshe kerr
Date: 2008-02-17 03:58:32The enemies of the Ron Paul Republican Leadership Movement have tried, attempted, pleaded, ass-umed,propagandized, spouted useless provda style rhetoric and all manner of unethical dirty tricks, they have sought to tag Ron Paul as a Libertarian. The 3rd party label masks their fear of his threat to Republican Party leadership. The March on Washington has basic fundamental goals: 1. The neo con leadership of the GOP has proved the bankrupcy of the
Posted By: Chris
Date: 2008-02-18 08:20:02I applaud with all my heart the idea of a massive march. I will be clear and honest. I am not an American. I am an Irishman living in the Caribbean, but I have supported Dr. Paul, the 911 Truth Movement and have been astounded at the changes and dangers to American society in the last 7-8 years. It grieves me. I do what I can from a distance. I love America (for some reason that is not clear to me, and really do worry about what is happening there)
The march has to be done carefully and YES the date is important and the media attention IS important, allthough I suspect they will try to ignore it, suppress it or ridicule it.
I believe it should not be on the 4th of July as it will be lost (or deliberately confused with other events by the MSM).
The size (numbers attending) will be the factor that gets media attention and the general behavior of the people. If the march is enormous and is not reported by the MSM, then let's be clear, for the majority of Americans it will not even register. But this is not just for media consumption.
It is: 1) to wake up the country 2) to really know your strength because (we) have been up to now suppressed by the MSM and suspect voting methods. 3) get the attention of likeminded leaders and yes some politicians who have been sitting on the fence for to long, and to stir them up to show some AMERICAN SPINE!
GOD ALLMIGHTY BLESS AMERICA, HER PEOPLE AND BRAVE LEADERS WHO ARE NEEDED MORE THAN EVER!
I say to you all, as a friend in a foreign land, STAND UP AMERICA!
SHAKE OFF YOUR CHAINS. BE BRAVE AND MARCH FOR YOUR LIBERTY AND YOUR CHILDREN WHO ARE TO FOLLOW YOU.
TAKE BACK AMERICA FROM THE WICKED AND CLAIM IT ONCE AGAIN FOR YOUR GOD, YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR CHILDREN !
Chris Hannon in the Caribbean.
Posted By: frankenshank
Date: 2008-02-18 09:03:50I'm going to be there come hell or high water. My only concern is... will the jackbooted thugs cordon off DC for the day in the name of "National Security" or another bogus "terror alert"?
Posted By: Michelle
Date: 2008-02-18 13:25:54When you spread the word send them to www.ronpaulmarch.com
Posted By: Neil
Date: 2008-02-18 15:43:51This is a very obvious one for me. ABSOLUTELY NOT July 4th. Just think about how much will be going on that day! It will be so ridiculously easy for the media to ignore Ron Paul's march. Plus, many people will be out celebrating, so will not see the march even if happens to get serious media attention.
Any other day than July 4. I'd like to have it A LOT earlier, though, because Bush could do another 9/11 any time. Absolutely any time.
Posted By: patrick henry
Date: 2008-02-20 13:56:05If ye love wealth better than LIBERTY, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of FREEDOM, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands that feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were ever our countrymen- Sam Adams All that is necessary for tyranny to flourish is for good men to do nothing- Edmund Burke Is life so sweet or peace so dear as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me LIBERTY or give me DEATH- Patrick Henry We will be there, the blessed cause of FREEDOM comands it of all PATRIOTS. Stand up and let it not be said that good men did nothing. Lets take our country back from the dirty hands of tyranny, and live the life of gloriuos LIBERTY that our Founders DIED for. Vive the REPUBLIC Vive la Revolution
Posted By: Tori
Date: 2008-03-01 15:55:15
- Food for thought folks.
- Why I Don't Support The Ron Paul Freedom March
- By Devvy
- 2-29-8
- I have been inundated with inquiries and encouragement to participate in an event being called the 'Ron Paul Freedom March.'
- http://www.nolanchart.com/article2742.html
- Regular readers of my columns know I am a committed supporter to Congressman Paul's run for the White House. However, this is one event I cannot support for the following reasons.
- First, let me give you a little history so you can understand why I believe that while this is a feel good exercise, I don't believe it's a good use of human and financial resources.
- In 1991, I " woke up" and began my journey of research and activism. In 1993, after nine months of picketing the Federal Reserve in Denver and collecting signatures from around the country, my Project '93 marched on Washington, DC. Back then the Park Police were still using grids and estimated our crowd at 4,400. We delivered 1,763,000 signed petitions to abolish the Federal Reserve and the IRS. Speeches were made. During the rally, we collected another 23,000 signatures for the petition. It was a beautiful day in Washington and every one felt good at the end of the day.
- Despite massive efforts, there was NO media. They were following Hillary around the capitol as she was pitching her unconstitutional national health care scheme.
- The Clerk of the House wanted to turn my truck load of boxes with those one million seven hundred sixty three thousand petitions over to the Park Police to count and shred. I said in a pig's ear. A handful of my volunteers broke them down and delivered batches to every congressional and senate office. When it was over and done, Congress went about their business of spending us into bankruptcy while the Clinton's continued their agenda. Nothing changed.
- Over the years there have been many efforts for marches by patriots. They all fizzle with a couple hundred people. Perhaps it will be different for this effort, but it costs a fortune to go to DC; hotels within 20 miles (except for flea bag transients) cost big bux. One lady named Diane (forget, but was in the mid-'90s) spent a fortune on her march. Did every patriot radio show, sent out flyers for months. In the end, about 150 people showed up. Was anything accomplished by Diane and so many other groups and their 150 or 200 angry fellow Americans standing in front of the capitol? Sadly, no. The exception to these events are the Rolling Thunder vets.
- Another thing is the climate in DC. After 911, access to the people's house is now virtually impossible. DC is like a police compound. I know, I've been there several times and I resent being treated like a criminal. Any rally is going to be pushed to their boundaries far away from the capitol while the criminals inside go about their business.
- I ask in earnest, what do supporters of this event hope to accomplish?
- 1. Bush/Cheney do not care if a million people show up, just like the pro-life marches which draw a half million or more each year. Besides, neither will be in town on any date selected, you can be sure of that.
- 2. The powerful unseen hand that owns Washington, DC, laughs at what they consider puny efforts by 'patriots.' Rockefeller and the rest of the money lenders don't care about this event because they own Congress and the White House. It's just business as usual for them. It won't change until the personnel inside the capitol and the White House are replaced.
- 3. The dominant media will ignore this event. It might make the local news out of MD and No. Virginia, but that'll be about it.
- 4. I timed my event for September 29th because I knew Congress would be in full session. The budget has to be done by midnight, 30 Sept, so DC is at maximum activity during that week. Everyone was in town.
- 5. As Ron Paul is vilified by his own party, those members of Congress who might happen to be in DC that day won't care about this event because they still control the legislative process and right along with the Democrats, do not want a limited form of republican government.
- 6. I have read two dates for this event: July 4th and June 21st. First of all, no one is in Washington, DC on the Fourth of July except tourists. I know, because I've been there on 4 July and seen a half million people converge on the Washington Memorial. I could hardly wait to get to the airport, the congestion was so bad. Everyone is there for fireworks, corn dogs and beer. Demonstrations in DC are as common as birds singing in the trees. They go on every day from every group you can imagine. "Free Tibet" people sit in front of the barrier lines at the White House. "Let's Dance Naked" folks have their 25 person demonstration and on and on and on. That's Washington, DC. Ho, hum.
- Congress is gone, out of town for July 4th. So are the major media because there's nothing to cover for their agenda. As for June 21st, this is the beginning of summer. Families plan for their vacations during June. Yes, they are freedom fighters, but let me give you one example. A friend in Sacramento wanted to go to some patriot event in DC many years ago. It was in June and his wife said, no way. We are taking the kids to Disneyland and that's that. The mouse won out.
- Why have a freedom march in a location where the only people there are tourists? The king pins and law breakers (Congress) won't be around and neither will the media.
- But, the GOP convention is a whole different situation. <>
- The world media WILL be there.
- All the delegates WILL be there.
- If vote fraud affected the outcome of the primaries, which I believe is the case, then those delegates cannot be committed to McCain.
- I believe we can bring McCain down. All of us should be working to expose this corrupt, evil man and drive him out of the race.
- Swift Boating of McCain Long Over Due
- http://www.newswithviews.com/Devvy/kidd341.htm
- Moral Obligations to Stop McCain
- http://www.newswithviews.com/Briley/Patrick47.htm
- If we are successful, and I believe we can be, then that puts the GOP power brokers in a tough spot. They will have to draft another neo-con, i.e., Newt, and see if they can sell that stink. It will put their plans in chaos with little time to recover.
- You should find out who the GOP delegates are from your state. For California see link below. Call your Secretary of State's office and get their names or go on-line. http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_delegates08.htm
- This is a fluid situation and, as I said, we should work to get a few hundred thousand Ron Paul supporters to that convention. Can you imagine a quarter million Ron Paul supporters surrounding the EXCEL center with 100' long banners: Ron Paul or good-bye GOP! I guarantee you that would be a huge message to the party and more importantly those delegates.
- THAT would shake things up and show the power brokers who run that convention that we're not going to take one of their globalists as the nominee. The EXCEL Center sits down town. St. Paul-Minneapolis in September is beautiful AND it's far less expensive than DC. That convention IS the heart beat of the whole race for the White House.
- Instead of broke Americans trying to scrape together some money to ride a bus or whatever to go stand in DC to a non audience, why not organize to make the biggest demonstration in the history of this country at that GOP convention? Where the world's media and those delegates will be - who will hear and see you.
- This is just my personal opinion. I have budgeted my limited funds for the convention. I will be there because that's where everything will be decided regarding the GOP nomination. It's the big kahuna. As for the position of the City of St. Paul, precedent has already been set; a good legal team needs to be in place when application is made for permits:
- City relents, will allow protests during DNC
- http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=56966
- With all due respect, I sincerely hope Congressman Ron Paul changes his mind and decides it would be a far, far better use of human and financial resources to target the convention and not go through with an event in DC this summer. As he has only taken the steps for an 'exploratory committee,' not a lot will be lost. I hope to see you at that convention.
- Cordially,
- Devvy Kidd www.devvy.com devvyk@earthlink.net
- Here are some solutions to our dilemma - chose one::::
- p 1. Use maximum firepower.
- p 2. Use maximum firepower to start the second Revolutionary War.
- p 3. Use maximum firepower to start the second Revolutionary War
- and kill all of the treasonous bastards that betrayed us.
- p 4. Use maximum firepower to start the second Revolutionary War
- and kill all of the treasonous bastards and the elites that betrayed us.
- p 5. All Of The Above.
- p 6. Please don't ask questions like this again. I'm too chicken-shit to stand
- for my God Given Rights. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool sheeple.