The Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association is sponsoring a public reading of the Declaration of Independence at 12 p.m. on July 3 at the Spirit of American Citizenship Monument at Moragne Park in Gadsden.
Gadsden Attorney Charles Centerfit Hart is promoting the event. He said the association wants to organize readings in as many Alabama cities as possible, in hopes of having more readings than Georgia organizes.
Hart distributed handbills promoting the reading. He said he tried to write it to promote the event as he thought the writers at the time this listing of complaints against the King might have promoted a public reading.
The handbill reads “We Dare Defend Your Rights!” and calls the event a “Protest Against the King.” Hart said it is not a protest against current political policies – although some people might have been confused about that.
Hart said he had one call from someone who thought it was some sort of protest against the president.
It is instead, a effort “read boldly Tom Jefferson’s Proclamation! All men are created equal! Women and children, too! Read all about it!” As the handbill spells out, there will, alas, be no homemade ice cream. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own funeral home fans, wear sunscreen and come out to be reminded of the reason the nation celebrates on the Fourth of July.