Justice and Freedom

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: John Ames Birch <amesbirch403@gmail.com> Date: Mon., Oct. 25, 2021, 11:28 p.m. Subject: Justice and Freedom (Opinion) To: <justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca>, <chrystia.freeland@parl.gc.ca>, <dujarric@un.org>, <aclupreferences@aclu.org>, <actso@naacpnet.org>, <antonio.ferrari@un.org>, <assistance@liberal.ca>, <anthony.rota.c1@parl.gc.ca>, <america@aljazeera.net>, <bcrowfoot@ammsa.com>, <brienne.prusak@newyork.msf.org>, <bernard.choi@boeing.com>, <barbara.warren@disney.com>, <calgary@globalnews.ca>, <carolyn.bennett@parl.gc.ca>, <cnn.feedback@cnn.com>, <cbcpr@cbc.ca>, <dir_enq@cso.gov.hk>, <drun@un.int>, <edmonton@globalnews.ca>, <eonline@bellmedia.ca>, <ecampaign@gop.com>, <fatima@caj.ca>, <foundation@usoc.org>, <Fadi.El-Abdallah@icc-cpi.int>, <FoxNationCustomerCare@fox.com>, <gov.pressoffice@alaska.gov>, <gnovokowsky@calgarypolice.ca>, <gladcanada.info@gmail.com>, <GlobalBarrie@globalnews.ca>, <GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca>, <haqf@un.org>, <health@ctv.ca>, <haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk>, <health.minister@gov.ab.ca>, <HeleneF.Fortin@sen.parl.gc.ca>, <info@ccla.org>, <info@rttv.ru>, <info@ap.org>, <info@abcfp.ca>, <info@ansi.org>, <info@bnn.com>, <info@calgarycvo.org>, <jagmeet.singh@parl.gc.ca>, <jean-yves.duclos@parl.gc.ca>, <jeff_klein@dkcnews.com>, <jedminston@nationalpost.com>, <kdundar@hdn.com.tr>, <km_ir@kindermorgan.com>, <krishana.polite@nc.gov>, <kelly@wssdc.com>, Liz Sauvé <liz.sauve@telus.com>, <liaisonofficeny@icc-cpi.int>, <legacy_bombardier_capital@aero.bombardier.com>, <letters@scmp.com>, <letters@gq.com>, <laurie.chandler@gov.ab.ca>, <lauri.l.hogan@abc.com>, <lawsociety@lso.ca>, <msnbctvinfo@nbcuni.com>, <mediarelations@aa.com>, <newstips@globaltv.com>, <newschannel@ctv.ca>, <newsonline@ctv.ca>, <news@connexionfrance.com>, <news@skynews.com>, <news@thelocal.se>, <otp.informationdesk@icc-cpi.int>, <omc-bcm@hc-sc.gc.ca>, <osd.pentagonpressbadges@mail.mil>, <premier@gov.ab.ca>, <premier@gov.bc.ca>, <premier@gov.nl.ca>, <report@aiusa.org>, <reportit@kxan.com>, <rapidresponse@we-worldwide.com>, <sena_fitzmaurice@comcast.com>, <sales@thecanadianpress.com>, <sarah.karmali@harpersbazaar.co.uk>, <sean.walsh@mailonline.com>, <sencom@sen.parl.gc.ca>, <themayor@calgary.ca>, <tips@thetexan.news>, <tonews@cbc.ca>, <tesfanews@gmail.com>, <TWDC.pressinquiries@disney.com>, <ted.arnott@pc.ola.org>, <taiwannewseditor@gmail.com>, <taviv@international.gc.ca>, <tarmstrong-co@ndp.on.ca>, <ViewerContactCalgary@globalnews.ca>, <ViewerContactToronto@globalnews.ca>, <Vincent.A.Steves@abc.com>, <washingtonbureau@naacpnet.org>, <weekend@cbsnews.com>, <w5@ctv.ca>, <yves-francois.blanchet@parl.gc.ca>, <YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk>, <YDChin@rcclapac.com>

Hey Everyone, I have been thinking alot about justice and freedom as of late and the fact that this ideal has helped to inspire generations into activism. Over our history we have struggled with the ideas of the individual as they relate to the collective. We sought to find an equal voice and equality of opportunity and through these pursuits, we helped to build our world as we know it today. Think of what these words mean, what does it mean to each of you to have Justice and freedom?. To each one of you I'm sure a different ideal resonates within you as each word is spoken. However, at the crux of it all, it means to hold the abilities and rights of a sovereign citizen and to ensure those rights are protected in a court of law. These concepts form the foundation of our modern society and are more important than anyone could ever know. This is why it's so concerning to see injustice reign across our society for this long. In the news we hear about the institutions we hold dear being corrupted and degraded by the actions of a few. These few seek to override the balance of these institutions to control those institutions for their own self interests. We have front line officers who degrade the badge with each bruise, we have justices who allow themselves to be bought as they prioritize coin over conscience and we have corrupted regulatory bodies that fail to uphold the standards of justice each time they protect a corrupt officer or precinct. "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all people are created equal". As such the fundamental rights and freedoms of our society must be upheld at all costs or else we chip away at the foundation of our society each time. These rights and freedoms helped to shape our society and nations and we cannot turn back the clock on universal rights or dignity. We must uphold the value of these rights and teach that value to all generations so they know the cost of liberty. Without these rights being held as sacrosanct we will always live within an unjust society. We must therefore ensure that the tree of liberty is tended by each generation and that it remains strong and unyielding. These precepts must form the bases of everything that we say and do for they are our bastions in the night. Each right and precedent that upholds these rights cast embers in the dark night of the unknown futures to light our way back home. These rights form the road on which we walk and each time we dismantle, disrespect or degrade any right, we make our own road jagged and painful. Justice and freedom are inextricably tied together and unless we uphold both of these valued tenants then we reduce our own potential with each act of injustice or unlawful incarceration. Every being alive deserves the fundamental rights and responsibilities we founded our society upon. No matter the distinction, distance or difference, we are all protected by these rights and emboldened by those responsibilities. With Justice and Freedom comes a hallowed responsibility, to ensure that the tree on which liberty and justice blooms, is never threatened. You must protect those ideals against all threats be them foreign or domestic to ensure that Justice and Freedom reign for all time. Each generation must be taught about the cost and applications of these rights to ensure that everyone is protected against those dark nights of inhumanity that may rise in time. Like the dawning of a new day, each generation must pick up the torch of Freedom to cast a light on all dark corners of our society so that justice may have its day. Stay Safe, Stay Sanitized and Stay Supportive, John Ames Birch @johneames2