Tag Archives: 4th of July

Silent March for Justice – Warrensburg, Missouri – July 4, 2020

04 Saturday Jul 2020

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At 7:30 this morning over seventy individuals met on the east lawn of the Johnson County Courthouse in Warrensburg, Missouri for a Silent March for Justice. The march was organized via social media.

Warrensburg Police were present and escorted the diverse group of marchers from the courthouse to Grover Park.

“Black Lives Matter”

Teach your children well:

“Black Lives Matter”

“I understand that I will never understand, but I will stand with you”

“All lives don’t matter until black lives matter”

“Black Lives Matter”

The world has changed:

“Human rights aren’t optional”

“Equality now!”

“All lives can’t matter until black lives matter”

Into Grover Park:

Previously:

George Floyd – Protest – Warrensburg, Missouri – Sunday afternoon, May 31, 2020 (May 31, 2020)

George Floyd – Protest – Warrensburg, Missouri – Sunday afternoon, May 31, 2020 – part 2 (June 1, 2020)

March for George Floyd and Justice – Warrensburg, Missouri – June 8, 2020 (June 8, 2020)

March for George Floyd and Justice – Warrensburg, Missouri – June 8, 2020 – part 2 (June 9, 2020)

Rally for Justice – Warrensburg, Missouri – June 28, 2020 (June 28, 2020)

4th of July – 2020

04 Saturday Jul 2020

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[….]

No movement that seeks to dismantle these treasured American legacies could possibly have a love of America at its heart. Can’t happen. No person who remains quiet at the destruction of this resplendent heritage can possibly lead us to a better future. The radical ideology attacking our country advances under the banner of social justice. But in truth, it would demolish both justice and society. It would transform justice into an instrument of division and vengeance, and it would turn our free and inclusive society into a place of repression, domination, and exclusion. They want to silence us, but we will not be silenced. [applause, cheers] [crowd: “U.S.A.”]

[….]

We will state the truth in full without apology. We declare that the United States of America is the most just and exceptional nation ever to exist on earth. We are proud of the fact that our country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles. And we understand that these values have dramatically advanced the cause of peace and justice throughout the world. We know that the American family is the bedrock of American life. [applause, cheers]

[….]

This is who we are. This is what we believe. And these are the values that will guide us as we strive to build an even better and greater future. Those who seek to erase our heritage want Americans to forget our pride and great dignity so that we can no longer understand ourselves or America’s great destiny. In toppling the heroes of 1776, they seek to dissolve the bonds of love and loyalty that we feel for our country and feel for each other. Their goal is not a better America, their goal is to end America. [crowd: “boo!”]

[….]

– Donald Trump, Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota, July 3, 2020.

Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer.

4th of July – 2019

04 Thursday Jul 2019

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“…It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more…” – John Adams – July 3, 1776

Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm.
F 11, 4.3 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.

1826 June 24. ([Thomas]Jefferson to Roger Weightman). ‘The kind invitation I recieve from you on the part of the citizens of the city of Washington, to be present with them at their celebration of the 50th anniversary of American independance; as one of the surviving signers of an instrument, pregnant with our own, and the fate of the world, is most flattering to myself, and heightened by the honorable accompaniment proposal for the comfort of such a journey. it adds sensibly to the sufferings of sickness, to be deprived by it of a personal participation in the rejoicings of that day. … I should indeed, with peculiar delight, have met and exchanged there, congratulations personally, with the small band, the remnant of that host of worthies, who joined with us, on that day, in the bold and doubtful election we were to make, for our country, between submission, or the sword; and to have enjoyed with them the consolatory fact that our fellow citizens, after half a century of experience and prosperity, continue to approve the choice we made. … for ourselves let the annual return of this day, for ever refresh our recollections of these rights and an undiminished devotion to them.’

Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm.
F 11, 2.4 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.

Let’s try and make it to 2020.

Previously:

“Booms and Blooms” 25th Anniversary – Powell Gardens, Kingsville, Missouri – June 29, 2019 (June 30, 2019)

“Booms and Blooms” 25th Anniversary – Powell Gardens, Kingsville, Missouri – June 29, 2019

30 Sunday Jun 2019

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Last night Powell Gardens, in Kingsville, Missouri, held its 25th annual (and final) “Booms and Blooms” concert and fireworks display celebrating the 4th of July. Several thousand people drove to the botanic gardens near Kansas City to spend the day and ultimately listen to the evening’s two hour outdoor concert performed by the Lee’s Summit Symphony Orchestra immediately preceding the extensive fireworks show.

Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm.
F 11, 1.7 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.

Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm.
F 11, 6.8 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.

Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 8, 4 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
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Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 8, 3.9 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 8, 3.9 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 8, 5.3 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 8, 4 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 8, 2.8 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 11, 6 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 11, 3.9 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 11, 4.1 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 11, 4.1 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 11, 3.9 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 11, 2.7 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 11, 1.7 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.

Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm.
F 11, 3.4 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.

Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 11, 6 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 11, 3.8 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 11, 9 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 11, 3 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 11, 3.2 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 11, 4.1 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 11, 2.7 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 11, 2.1 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 11, 2.8 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 11, 2.8 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.
Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm. F 11, 3.5 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.

Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm.
F 11, 9.1 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.

Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm.
F 11, 5.5 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.

Canon T4i, 1.8 50 mm.
F 11, 2.5 sec, ISO 100, 50 mm.

Previously:

Nazi punching music (June 27, 2019)

On understanding what it is to be patriotic

04 Wednesday Jul 2018

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Civil disobedience.

This is a story about a patriot in Jefferson City, Missouri who acted in defense of everything good about America yesterday. She was arrested for her trouble.

Sue Gibson, in her own words:

I got to Jefferson City’s Independence Day parade location early Tuesday evening and walked along High Street looking for TV cameras and anyone I knew who might take pictures of my planned action.

The only news outlet I saw was KRCG, the Sinclair station, and I did not think they would air it.

I found no one to whom I felt comfortable disclosing.

A woman I encountered on the sidewalk complimented my t-shirt (I Stand with Missouri Women) and showed me her tattoo that read LIBERAL.

We chatted about how hard it is to live here as progressives.

I am thinking: This is wild. She might be a police spy, or am I just very lucky to have run onto her? I gave her both my personal contact card and my Indivisible card, and we parted.

The parade started with motorcycle cops in the lead and I let them get over a block away before even considering jumping in. I was right by the judges’ grandstand and after introducing the three judges, the announcer started talking about the parade theme: Diversity and how people come to America’s shores blah blah blah. And I thought: It has to be right now! So I jumped in and stopped the parade holding my sign Babies are in cages above my head.

I remember no sound. My experience was just everyone looking at me with their mouths hanging open. Two parade organizers came along in their golf cart. The woman said, OK. You’ve made your point. Will you let us have our parade now? I stood stationary. They conferred and decided to invite me to march in the parade with my sign so the parade could proceed.

Meanwhile, I see two cops approaching on foot. The first one gets there and agrees that I can join the parade. The second one isn’t having it; orders me out of the street. I don’t move. He snatches my sign, whirls me around and cuffs me. Starts pushing me toward the curb.

The crowd cheers my arrest. All they want is a parade to celebrate America. The organizers are visibly disturbed, shouting at the crowd: “What is wrong with you? Stop it!”

But kids will ask their parents what was that that happened today, and that is what I wanted. And the organizers were conflicted. That tension within individuals is what I hoped for as well.

The cops are taking me to their car on a side street and I see that woman I just met filming or photographing with her phone!!!!! She has my email address, so surely she will send it! How serendipitous is that?

Oh, a thing a cop said before they put me in the car: “She’s one of those.” (I had incurred a charge of failure to obey an officer on two different days recently with the Poor People’s Campaign.) The arresting officer said, “Yeah, I figured it out. I recognize her.” I dare not jaywalk from now on[.]

Then I spent time with two delightful women in the holding cell having great conversation about injustices. A holding cell is a terrific place to organize! I will be taking one of them to vote for her first time ever! She got released first, and by the time I got home, she had friended me on Facebook.

And the bail bondswoman was like-minded and thrilled with what I had done; took a photo of me with my sign to share with her mother and her one like-minded sibling. And gave me a discount!

Court date: August 8.
Charge: Failure to obey.

Sue Gibson’s sign (front and back):

What a badass – civil disobedience, getting arrested, and organizing in a holding cell. Is this a great country, or what?

Someone posted video of Sue Gibson’s arrest on a community social media page.

Some of the comments on the page:

Run her ass over!

Well that’s a little violent. I hope you’re not actually suggesting someone commit voluntary manslaughter.

Stay out of the road.

…when you serve your country, you are preserving not only the rights of your family and friends, but the rights of Americans who don’t always share your beliefs. These individuals are your country, your fellow citizens, not “morons,” and are entitled to express opinions. She harmed no one, she made her statement, and she knew her consequences. You may need someone to stand up like that for you some day.

…when you impede traffic, a parade, or any other flow of moving vehicles you are a moron she could have chosen a better way to show her beliefs/opinion

…although her protest may have stopped a parade celebrating freedom, she is free to make that choice. The fact that you resort to name callling says something about how her behavior affected you, not about her.

Since this is Independence Day, and you are celebrating it in the way you choose, because we are free, I think it’s terrific that this person made a choice to show her concern for immigrant children in a way that harmed none of you, but caused all of you to express your feelings as well. Happy Independence Day. We are free, and we have a duty to make sure we stay free. That means we are free to express our opinions.

Go, read all of the comments.

Previously:

Be the badass on the right (June 29, 2018)

Welcome to Missouri and America in 2017

02 Sunday Jul 2017

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Flag with a blue field and a single white star displayed by someone in the audience at the annual “Booms and Blooms” concert and fireworks display at Powell Gardens in Kingsville, Missouri – July 1, 2017. Photo used with permission.

Last night the Lee’s Summit Symphony Orchestra played a two hour outdoor concert of patriotic music to celebrate the 4th of July preceding the annual “Booms and Blooms” fireworks show at Powell Gardens in Kingsville, Missouri. Throughout the concert someone in the audience prominently displayed a large flag with a blue field and a single white five pointed star in front of the orchestra.

A flag with a blue field and a single white star is called the “Bonnie Blue” flag. It is most prominently known as an early flag of the confederacy.

Think about that for just a second.

Next to “Dixie’s Land,” perhaps no other song was as well loved by the Confederate soldier as “The Bonnie Blue Flag.” Written by Harry Macarthy (1834-1888) and sung to the old Irish tune “The Irish Jaunting Car,” the song lays out the order of secession of the States that went on to form the Confederacy.   The first flag of the Confederacy was a single white star on a blue background. This song, especially popular in the South during the early years of the war, counts out the eleven seceding states one by one….

More on the song:

….After the Civil War and the collapse of the Confederacy, “The Bonnie Blue Flag” developed a life of its own. In the second decade of the twentieth century, the song was revived as a symbol of “Lost Cause” mentality in the midst of fifty-year commemorations of the War. During the Civil Rights era, “The Bonnie Blue Flag” once again became a song of protest, this time against the integration of public spaces. It even found its way back into the classroom, as one New Orleans resident remembers learning it in his elementary school classroom in the 1950s….

The refrain from the song [pdf]:

[….]
Hurrah!
Hurrah!
For Southern rights, hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.
[….]

We have no idea if the individual(s) who displayed the flag were aware of the history or of the symbolism implied. The flag in the photo appears to be displayed upside down (with the single point of the star pointed downward).

The only confederate flag that matters is a white rag on a stick.

Previously:

Celebrating a little early (July 2, 2017)

4th of July – 2015

04 Saturday Jul 2015

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“….It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more…” – John Adams – July 3, 1776

Last night in Kingsville, Missouri at Powell Gardens “Booms and Blooms”.

Thomas Jefferson – July 4, 1826

May (July 4) be to the world, what I believe it will be — to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all — the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government. That form (of government) which we have substituted, restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion. All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by the grace of God. These are grounds of hope for others. For ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them.

Amen, brother Jefferson, Amen.