Colleen Lawson, one of the four named plaintiffs
in the McDonald v. Chicago case, addressed
the crowd at SAFR in 2009.
Photo by Chris Conmy.
What: Second Amendment Freedom Rally
Where: Downtown Chicago at the James R. Thompson building (located at the corner of Randolph and Clark Streets, with a public parking ramp right across Clark Street and a Metra station inside the building.)
When: Friday, July 9th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
More Info: Second Amendment Freedom Rally
Not everyone enjoys SAFR . . . . but absolutely everyone is
even the infamous Father Michael Pfleger. Luckily, Kenny
Polhamus of KAP Guns and Illinois Carry is having enough fun
for two in this photo.
(Photo by Chris Conmy)
Why do I want to be there?
SAFR is billed as "the largest event of its kind in Chicago history." That's indisputable, but it's also likely the only event of its kind in Chicago history--a large, organized rally in support of the right to keep and bear arms that maintains a positive feel and a family-friendly party atmosphere. When SAFR began, there were doubts that a gathering to celebrate the right to keep and bear arms could work in Chicago, the heart of the gun control movement. But the first rally, in 2008, came fast on the heels of most important Supreme Court decision of the century, Heller v. Washington, D.C. Gun owners and civil libertarians were ready to celebrate progress, and they came in droves to have a good time. This year, the third annual SAFR comes only weeks after another enormous milestone, the Supreme Court's decision in McDonald v. Chicago to enforce the Second Amendment against Chicago and all other local and state governments.
Although protesters may appear (last year four--count 'em, four--showed up) it's important to remember that SAFR is not just a protest. It's a celebration, and that is meant literally. Past speakers from the Illinois State Rifle Association, McDonald plaintiffs, IllinoisCarry, the Second Amendment Sisters, the Congress of Racial Equality, Pink Pistols, Students for Concealed Carry on Campus and others have traditionally joined MC Cisco Cotto of the Big 89 WLS radio in speaking about their own understanding of the right to keep and bear arms and why it's important to exercise rights . . . . and celebrate them.
If you believe in the right to keep and bear arms, come celebrate! If you're not too sure about this gun stuff, come learn! If you're dead set against gun rights, come out anyway! You're more than welcome.
For more info: check out http://chicagorally.isra.org for the exact address, maps, and scheduling.
Comments
Open carry, with cameras, and lawyers?
How many rifles will it take to keep the blue-mob-group at bay while bearing arms?
Nope. People who are winning at baseball rarely demand to change the game to football. Chicagoans are winning in the courts, and are unlikely to resort to civil disobedience until that avenue is exhausted.
Just a question: Who are you waiting for to tell you that you may keep and bear arms?
The rights exist, the Constitution and the Courts acknowledge it. Yet it seems that many people are still in denial that they have those rights.
What will finally get you to finally accept that you do in fact have the right?
How can an unalienable human right, specifically acknowledged as an individual right in the documents that establish the government, and acknowledged by SCOTUS - How can that behavior be termed "civil disobedience"?
When did a God given natural right become "civil disobedience" in your mind?
Unthink the mis-education chains. Rejoin America.
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