By Martyrs Day Movement
(Source: AFRO)
This Fourth of July marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of The Declaration of Independence in 1776. In commemoration of this historic milestone, professor, author and legal historian Gloria J. Browne-Marshall is spearheading a movement to designate the day following Independence Day as Martyrs Day. Envisioned as a national day of remembrance, Martyrs Day would honor the protesters who gave their lives in the ongoing struggle for justice and equality in the United States.
“The Declaration of Independence is a protest document,” said Browne-Marshall. “We are a nation birthed from protest. Since 1776, this country has seen many people lose their lives for the sake of equality under law.”
Browne-Marshall chose July 5 as Martyrs Day to align with Frederick Douglass’ 1852 speech “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” which challenged the nation to live up to its ideals of freedom and equality.
“The nation will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary on July 4th,” said Browne-Marshall. “On July 5th, Martyrs Day, we’ll honor the legacy of those Americans who helped this nation make freedom for all a reality and recommit ourselves to continuing the work they began.”
The Martyrs Day movement also functions as a call to action. Communities and organizations across the country can recognize activists, organizers and social justice leaders, from any era, whose work advanced equality, social justice and civil rights. Martyrs Day encourages education, historical memory and civic engagement.
Learn more about Martyrs Day and ways to get involved at www.martyrsday.us.
About Gloria J. Browne-Marshall
Gloria J. Browne-Marshall is an EMMY Award-winning writer, playwright, social justice attorney, and professor of constitutional law at John Jay College (CUNY). She is the author of many books, including the most recent “A Protest History of the United States” (Beacon). In Fall 2022, she was a resident fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics and a Harvard Kennedy School visiting professor. She received the American Bar Association’s Silver Gavel Award. Prior to academia, Browne-Marshall litigated civil rights cases. Learn more about Browne-Marshall at Browne-Marshall23.com.
