Bill of Rights Day in Chapel Hill

Raging Grannies in front of Old Chapel Hill Post Office

It got off to an ironic start, what with the newspaper calling it "Unconstitutional Day," but in most respects it was much like last year (without the Hare Krishnas). Joe Herzenberg gave out the reading assignments. He tried to save the First Amendment for me, but I ended up taking the Fifth.

The Raging Grannies, dolled up as Lady Liberties, raged on, singing familiar tunes with catchy lyrics in protest of Mr. Ashcroft's laws.

Mayor Foy read the following proclamation (later corrected by the ever-vigilant Peggy Misch):

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, the necessary states ratified the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, on December 15, 1791; and

WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights protects every citizen of person in this state and nation from infringement of basic human and civil rights; and

WHEREAS, the freedoms of speech and association and the right to due process and equal protection of the law, as embodied in the Bill of Rights, are a model for democratic institutions and laws all over the world; and

WHEREAS, our democratic society proves the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution to be indispensable; and

WHEREAS, the people of North Carolina stood strong in withholding ratification of the Constitution until the Bill of Rights was added to ensure their inalienable rights;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kevin C. Foy, Mayor of the Town of Chapel Hill, do hereby proclaim December 15, 2004, as

BILL OF RIGHTS DAY

in the Town of Chapel Hill, and commend this observance to all our citizens.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE SEAL OF THE TOWN ON THIS THE SECOND DAY OF DECEMBER, TWO THOUSAND AND FOUR.


_________________________________
Kevin C. Foy, Mayor

As I headed for my car in the Wallace Parking Deck, I saw a young man, at least one, there were six in all, haul off and kick the tires of somebody's poor car. Soon I saw why. It was plastered with bumper stickers, the one for Dennis Kucinich being on the moderate end. Maybe it belonged to a Raging Granny? I guess the young men had the right to express themselves, as long as they did no harm. They piled into a Suburban with an Arkansas tag.