By Tom Liotti, Westbury Village Justice
On July 2, the Islamic Center of Long Island conducted its 12th annual Interfaith Breaking the Fast Dinner in celebration of the Muslim holiday Ramadan. Many of the remarks made by community leaders in attendance centered around freedom of religion condemning the recent events of shootings in Charleston, South Carolina. The freedoms of which they spoke are of course contained in our Constitution, which was inspired by the Declaration of Independence. A copy of the Declaration of Independence hangs on the wall of our courtroom. It is the reason for celebrations on our favorite day—July 4th.
Unfortunately few of us even think of the Declaration on the 4th. It is at the centerpiece of all of the freedoms which we enjoy, but it is also a reminder of the courage that our Founders had in declaring our independence from England. It should remind us of that dramatic phrase by Patrick Henry: “Give me liberty or give me death.” How profound a statement that was but even more so is the language of the Declaration that tells us that we have a right and a duty to oppose tyranny and to rebel against it. This does not have to be in the form of violence but does impose an obligation on all of us to speak out against oppression and racism whenever it is found. It does not exist in South Carolina alone. One wacko Presidential candidate wants “to take back the country for Jesus Christ” and has announced his opposition to the recent Supreme Court decision in allowing for same sex marriages nationwide. Another blowhard Presidential candidate wants to build a wall to keep out “the rapists and drug dealers from Mexico.”
Think about the peaceful reform measures by Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., and how they compare with the insane wars throughout the world. Think of the Islamic Center, Pope Francis, President Obama and Mother Teresa and what they mean for world peace. Think about John Lennon: “Give Peace a Chance and Imagine.” Contrast that with extremist organizations such as the Long Island Chapter of Oath Keepers whose leader recently referred to Senator John McCain as “a traitor who should be hung by the neck until dead.” Some of our representatives are meeting with Oath Keepers. What can they be thinking about in doing so?
Our favorite day will also be celebrated on Constitution Day on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. You are invited to attend to hear distinguished speakers talk about the freedoms we cherish.
