FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Robb Fickman, HCCLA Past President/Event Founder
(713) 962-8821 or email
15th Annual Reading: Declaration of Independence
Houston, Texas – July 2, 2024 – In celebration of Independence Day, the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) is holding its 15th Annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence on Wednesday, July 3rd at 11:00 am outside the criminal courthouse at 1201 Franklin Street, Houston, Texas. Local criminal defense lawyers will take part in reading sections of the text. The national anthem will be performed by attorney Ashley Smith.
Members of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA) will also be holding readings in front of courtrooms across the state.
HCCLA President Joe Vinas said, “HCCLA is honored to continue its annual reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Harris County courthouse. It serves as a reminder to all about the sacred rights our founders fought and died for when establishing this great nation. Because of HCCLA leaders like Robb Fickman, this honored tradition has spread to all 254 counties in Texas, across the nation, and in some foreign countries around the world.”
The Reading of the Declaration of Independence by criminal defense lawyers is an annual tradition started by HCCLA Past President Robert Fickman. “We read the Declaration annually as a reminder that the fight against tyranny is a never-ending battle. We must always fight those who would rob us of our liberty. Ben Franklin reminded us that we would have a republic but only “if we can keep it”. The Greatest Generation fought the Nazis who would have robbed us of our liberty. We owe it to the Greatest Generation to continue that fight. We cannot open our arms to anyone who would turn our country into a dictatorship” said Fickman.
The Declaration of Independence is the founding document of the United States and contains within its text the fundamental truths and unalienable rights that typify and embody the American way of life: …that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Defense lawyers preserve these rights and hold the government to the laws of this nation.
Please join us in honoring our nation’s most sacred document in the spirit and celebration of Independence Day:
When: Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Where: Harris County Criminal Justice Center
1201 Franklin Street, Houston, Texas 77002
Time: 11:00 AM
The Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association is the largest local criminal defense bar in the United States with more than 700 active members.
Click here for more information about the history of the Readings and photos
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