John, 

Understanding the story of Independence Day is essential to understanding our nation's history. It goes like this: In 1776, the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and formed a committee whose purpose was drafting a document that would sever their ties with Great Britain. A total of 86 changes were made to the draft and the Continental Congress officially adopted the final version on July 4, 1776. The Declaration of Independence has since become a symbol of liberty for many, but not for all.

Freedom is knowing that our God-given liberties will be preserved against government intrusion. And that still isn't the case today for so many Black people in our own country.

It is in this spirit that I would like to share with you the most recent CCATDP video.

The video was filmed on the famous Edmund Pettus bridge in Selma, Alabama. You will see the connection between the fight for equality in the days of the Civil Rights Movement to the fight to end the death penalty and racial bias within the criminal justice system today.

If Black people are still feeling victimized by our justice system, then the message of this Independence Day cannot be a celebration of freedom alone. The message must also be that we still have work to do to realize our dream of true liberty and justice for all.

Toward Justice,

Demetrius Minor
National Manager of CCATDP