On This Indepedence Day...

As we move into this Fourth of July weekend, let's remember and be grateful for those who fought so hard to secure and protect our liberties...

The Protesters.

The agitators, the rabble rousers, those who cared enough to fight for justice and lay their lives on the line for the liberty of all of us.

Thanks to the Boston Tea Party vandals who took a chance and even destroyed property in the fight for liberty.

Thanks to the Abolitionists who broke laws to save lives.

Thanks to our Suffragists who reminded us that we don't have freedom until ALL of us have a voice.

Thanks to the Civil Rights heroes, who struggled so hard for so long to finally make sure that everyone could vote and to fight for justice in so many ways against such vicious opposition.

Thanks to the Stonewall rioters and those who've fought so hard for the rights of historically oppressed people.

Thanks to those who've marched to protest unjust wars that cause such rampant death and destruction around the world.

Thanks to those who've struggled to protect our shared planet, our air, our water, our flora and fauna.

Thanks to those who crawled up steps and agitated for the rights of those with disabilities.

Thanks to BLM and others who continue the fight for the rights of all and to stand against the very real problem of systemic racism.

Thanks to the teachers, the historians, the organizers, the planners, those who learn about and lead us in Non-Violent Civil Disobedience, the allies, the leaders, the followers, the letter writers, the ones who work to improve policies.

Thanks to the creative types and the wonks. The poets, the artists, the singers, the writers, the policy writers, the program writers... We needed you to remind us that we SHALL overcome someday.

Thanks to those who show up.

Thanks to the weirdos and the cranks, the outsiders and those just fighting to get by.

Thanks to Jesus, who led one of the first acts of Civil Disobedience, when he destroyed property and chased the oppressive money changers out of the temple.

Thanks to all who've fought for justice and liberty in one way or another over the millennia. Thanks for making the US, and the world, a better place.