Memorial Day 2021: The ACLJ Celebrates Freedom

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, America is hopeful to return to complete normalcy. It is time for America to reopen and for people to get back out in the world. We have seen how important your local and state government can be during this past year. This just proves elections have consequences.

We can all recall back in March when President Biden said one of his goals was just for individuals to be able to have a BBQ in their own backyards by July 4th:

"I need you to get vaccinated when it’s your turn and when you can find an opportunity and to help your family, your friends, your neighbors get vaccinated as well. Because here’s the point. If we all do this, if we do our part, we do this together, by July the 4th, there’s a good chance you, your families and friends will be able to get together in your backyard or in your neighborhood and have a cookout and a barbecue and celebrate Independence Day."

The problem is, as I’ll get to in a moment, freedom lives beyond our backyards. But it’s safe to say President Biden was aiming low considering it’s May and the CDC has already updated its guidelines to allow vaccinated individuals to not wear masks inside or outside. And many states have nearly completely lifted restrictions or are in the process of doing so.

We can also remember when President Biden didn’t hold back when he criticized Texas for reopening despite their success in handling COVID-19:

"Texas – I think it’s a big mistake. We are on the cusp of being able to fundamentally change the nature of this disease because of the way in which we are able to get vaccines in people’s arms. The last thing – the last thing – we need is Neanderthal thinking in the meantime."

It is President Biden who has been guilty of backward thinking, the kind of thinking that goes directly against the principles of liberty and freedom upon which our nation was founded. Those should be celebrated, especially as we enter this holiday weekend where we remember our nation’s heroes who fought and died for our freedoms.

ACLJ Senior Counsel for Global Affairs and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in his new article, outlines the importance of revisiting the wisdom of our Founders when it relates to the challenges we face as a nation today:

"I spent the last four years working on many things that were outside of our borders, but that had an enormous impact on our lives at home. And I wanted to take this moment around Memorial Day weekend to write about Federalist No. 10 and how it's applicable to the lives we lead today. When our Founders talked about our republic, our virtuous republic, where people worked hard and the rule of law mattered, and we allowed people to speak their minds. We didn’t have a culture that cancelled out voices that we disagreed with. This idea that freedom and liberty are deeply a part of who we are as Americans. Our Founders knew it; I think most Americans know that today. We’ve got to make sure that remains at the center of the ethos, at the very heart of who we are as a nation. If we do that none of the adversaries that I have worked against these last four years have a prayer. If we get it right at home, America will be strong, our nation will be more secure, and our adversaries will see it for that."

The pressure from the American people to not accept authoritarian control is a big reason why our nation is starting to reopen. When Americans demand enough is enough, our government listens. After a year of businesses shut down and lives lost, hopefully, we are entering into a new chapter.

As you celebrate Memorial Day weekend, remember to celebrate the freedoms that you have and the soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Despite President Biden wanting us to just be able to celebrate in our backyards, always remember: Freedom lives beyond our backyards. Real freedom comes with getting our businesses back open, our kids back to school, and exploring our great nation. Check out my new music video, “Freedom Lives Beyond My Backyard,” as you celebrate with friends and family this weekend!

Today’s full Sekulow broadcast is complete with even more analysis of the reopening of America.