A mid-day community reading of the Declaration of Independence near the Visitor Center attracted many Lexingtonians, and also people from NJ, FL, NC, OH, TX, IA, CO, WV — and China, Thailand, and Italy. The inspiring and challenging words of our nation’s founders were brought to life by readers who represent the diversity of our nation–young and old, men and women, people of a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds. One reader, who also read last year said, “I’m usually nervous when doing public speaking but whenever I recite the Declaration I channel the people who put their reputations and lives on the line into my reading along with a little John Lewis and his call for people to stir up some “good trouble”.

Kunal Botla assisted with the reading program, remarking that had it not been for the principles of the Declaration, he would not be speaking at the event. Marc Stern, retired History professor from Bentley commented on some of the more challenging sections of the Declaration. He acknowledged that, 250 years ago, declaring that “all men are created equal” referred only to white men, and that some interpretations of the document would be different today, but the historical document was read as it was written, unedited.  

We handed out 100 copies of the Declaration and have 104 signatures by modern day patriots who endorse the basic principles in the Declaration. Of course they used a feathered Sharpie to affix their “John Hancock.”

Attendees were challenged to participate in addressing threats to democracy today at the Lexington Alarm! information table, which included the promotion of voter registration.  

Fran Ludwig

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