16th Annual Reading
July 3, 2025 @ 11:00am
Criminal Justice Center
1201 Franklin Street
Houston, TX 77002
HCCLA is holding its 16th Annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Seeking 38 readers to recite the Declaration of Independence outside the criminal courthouse on July 3rd at 11:00 am. Must be a criminal defense attorney and arrive by 10:45am to pick up reading part. If interested, please email Christina Appelt.
July 3, 2024 – 15th Annual Reading
Thank you to this year’s readers! (July 3, 2024): Fabio Amador, Tom Berg, Alex Bunin, Rebecca Campbell, John Paul Cedillo, Jay Cohen, Denise Crawford, Shannon Davis, Sylvia Escobedo, Marcus Esther, Kate Ferrell, Robb Fickman, Tyler Flood, Joe Garcia, Shalee Hindes, Vafa Jasemi-Zergani, Spogmay Khaliq, Lisa Lazarte, Lindsay Lopez, Savannah Luna, Brent Mayr, Chris McKinney, Mary Moore, Stephanie Morales, Nathaniel Munier (and son), Damon Parrish, Robert Pelton, Eric Peres, Bob Rosenberg, Cory Roth, Ashley Smith, Wade Smith, Sara Smitherman (and daughter), JV Vela, Tom Zakes (and son), Trinidad Zamora.
June 30, 2023 – 14th Annual Reading
2023 Readers: Cody Arona, Alex Bunin, Jim Butler, Allison Cannon, Todd Dupont, Danny Easterling, Robert Fickman, Gerald Francis, Gemayel Haynes, Nicole Hochglaube, Romy Kaplan, Allison Mathis, Troy McKinney, Stephanie Morales, Nathaniel Munier, Robert Pelton, Eric Peres, Bob Rosenberg, Cory Roth, Joe Vinas, Natalie Ware. Also pictured: Christina Appelt, Shannon Foster. (more photos by Bob Rosenberg)
July 1, 2022 – 13th Annual Reading
2022 Readers: Brian Ayson, Scott Bernstein, Porscha Brown, Alex Bunin, Shelby Burns, Beth Cavanaugh, Mary Conn, Neal Davis III, Nicole Hochglaube, Todd Dupont, Danny Easterling, Kate Ferrell, Robert Fickman (Event Founder/Organizer), Maggie Kiely, Edward Mallett, Allison Mathis, Troy McKinney, Ashley Medlin, Stephanie Morales, Nathaniel Munier, Murray Newman, Smith Newman, Robert Pelton, Eric Peres, Judge Bob Rosenberg, Cory Roth, Grant Scheiner, Jed Silverman (HCCLA President), Ashley Smith, Wade Smith, Paul St. John, Tom Zakes.
July 2, 2021 – 12th Annual Reading
2021 Readers: Marcos Adrogue (and daughter Alessandra), Christina Appelt, Alex Bunin, Shelby Burns, Jacquelyn Carpenter, Jay Cohen, Todd Dupont, Danny Easterling, Kate Ferrell, Robert Fickman (and sons Sam and Daniel), Martin Flores, Steven Halpert, Justin C. Harris, Gemayel Haynes, Brittany Carroll Lacayo, Brent Mayr, Troy McKinney, Nathaniel Munier, Doug Murphy, Carlos Ortiz, Damon Parrish II, Robert Pelton, Bob Rosenberg, Sara Smitherman, Roger Tavira, J. Julio Vela, Joe Vinas, Larry Williams.
Together again! HCCLA has made every effort to slow the spread of Covid-19 and keep its members and the community safe throughout this public health crisis. We held our annual reading via ZOOM in 2020. But as confirmed cases continue to decline and vaccination rates increase in Harris County, we decided to meet in person again to continue the tradition of reading the Declaration of Independence in front of the courthouse. Since the Criminal Justice Center is STILL under construction nearly 4 years after Hurricane Harvey, we held the reading in the park in front of the Family Law Center. HCCLA wishes everyone a safe and happy 4th of July!
Todd Dupont II
Special thanks to: Joe Vinas (HCCLA President), Robert Fickman (HCCLA Past President who started this tradition in 2010), and Bob Rosenberg for photographing the event (see photos on HCCLA Facebook page). Thanks also to all the readers and everyone who attended, including Hon. Marilyn Burgess (District Clerk), Judge Danny Lacayo (182nd) and Judge Raul Rodriguez (CCCL13).
Livestreamed via Facebook. Watch on Youtube below:
July 2, 2020 – 11th Annual Reading – To ensure the safety of all lawyers involved in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, HCCLA held its 11th Annual Reading for the first time via ZOOM on July 2, 2020. Aired live on Facebook!
July 3, 2019 – Houston, Texas – HCCLA celebrated its 10th Annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence! The reading was led by HCCLA President Neal Davis with remarks from Past President and Event Founder Robert Fickman. HCCLA was also honored by County Judge Lina Hidalgo with a Proclamation congratulating HCCLA on its 10th Annual Reading.
Photos courtesy of attorney and photographer Bob Rosenberg. Visit our Facebook page to view additional photos from our reading: here and here
July 3, 2018 – Houston, Texas – HCCLA 9th Annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence was led by HCCLA President Doug Murphy and Past President/Event Founder Robert Fickman. Special thanks to Bob Rosenberg for taking these beautiful photos! Visit our Facebook page to view additional photos from our reading: part 1 and part 2
June 30, 2017 – Houston, Texas – HCCLA celebrated the 4th of July at our 8th Annual Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence. Thanks to all who attended and participated! Special thanks to Robb Fickman and Doug Murphy for leading the reading, Damon Parrish II and Joel Avendano for their assistance, Bob Rosenberg for taking photos, and Mark Pirtle for capturing it on video (below). Thanks also to Justice Marc Brown for coming out to show your support!
2016: 7th Annual Reading
July 1, 2016 – Houston, Texas – In celebration of our nation’s 240th Anniversary, we held our 7th Annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence. Details can be found HERE.
With our start in 2010, this event has grown by leaps and bounds as we were joined by readings in each and every of Texas’ 254 counties this year. Special thanks to Robert Fickman for coordinating this effort with TCDLA. Additionally, our members who could not attend read where they found themselves. And, ABC13 and Jaime Zamora live-streamed our event!
As our event has grown and spread across the great State of Texas, our event founder, Robert Fickman, and his son, Sam Fickman, created a little inspirational video for your enjoyment.
Additionally, TCDLA honored our own Robert Fickman for the success in securing readings in each and every Texas county for 2016! Pictured here at this years Rusty Duncan, Robb said a few words as he was presented an award for his leadership and success.
6th Annual Reading, 2015
July 2, 2015 – Houston, Texas – Members of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association again assembled on the courthouse steps for our annual reading of the Declaration of Independence. Began in 2010, this was our 6th Annual Reading. We were joined by 139 readings in various counties across the state. More information can be found HERE.
Photos can be found via Bob Rosenberg’s Facebook (public posting) here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Video from our 2015 event can be viewed HERE.
5th Annual Reading, 2014
July 3, 2014 – Houston, Texas – In celebration of Independence Day the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association held its 5th Annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence outside on the steps of the criminal courthouse. More than 100 lawyers, judges, friends and family members gathered to hear 38 HCCLA members read the sacred words of our Founding Fathers.
2013: 4th Annual Reading of Declaration
July 2013, Houston, Texas – HCCLA’s 4th Annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence. Our event grows each year, and we are proud to have started this tradition.
2012: 3rd Annual Reading
July 2012, Houston, Texas – HCCLA’s 3rd Annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence was lead by president Chris Tritico. A great number of judges and citizens joined our members to witness the reading.
2nd Annual Reading: 2011
July 2011, Houston, Texas – HCCLA held it’s 2nd Annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence. Our reading was lead by president Earl Musick and embodied the gathering of more than just our members. What a sight to see! Citizens and lawyers stopping by to listen and share our experience.
Read more about our event and the start of a state-wide movement from Robert Fickman at TCDLA’s Voice for the Defense Online.
2010: the beginning
July 2010, Houston, Texas – The beginning of great things. HCCLA held the first of what was to become an annual reading of the Declaration of Independence. Inspired and organized by Robert Fickman, he had the idea to read as a symbolic protest against injustices that frequent the Harris County criminal courthouse.
In 2010, HCCLA president Nicole DeBorde supported the Reading. Robb twisted some arms and fifteen criminal defense lawyers showed up to read. In turn they each read a section of the Declaration. Their voices were strong and rose as they read. None of this was planned. Reading the Declaration was empowering for each of them. When they were done and quite moved, they immediately agreed to make the reading an annual event.
Special thanks to Robb Fickman for starting this tradition in 2010. Below is his 2014 speech.
