The Tradition of Speakers' Corner
As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of Independence Day, it's hard to not reflect back upon the radical step our founders took when they signed their name to the Declaration of Independence. John Adams famously predicted that this anniversary would be commemorated by succeeding generations with Pomp and Parade and Bonfires and Illuminations from one end of the continent to the other. But while successfully rebelling against British rule was a monumental feat that established our republic, I view the true triumph of American independence as what came 13 years later. In 1789, the new national government convened to draft the framework of our laws, eventually leading to the ratification of the Bill of Rights – which codified into law several key rights as a response to the complaints articulated in the Declaration.
The crown jewel of this legal framework is the First Amendment, which deliberately prevents the government from abridging the freedom of speech, the press, and the right to peaceful assembly. Breaking with older English legal traditions, the founders intentionally enshrined free speech to protect people from excessive state control over what could be said. This ensures that citizens are empowered to use speech to disagree with one another and with the government, thereby preserving the opportunity for democratic participation – and acting as an essential safeguard against tyranny.
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Today, the active exercise of these constitutional rights is more crucial than ever, as we navigate a perilous era marked by the Trump administration’s relentless attacks on free expression. The current regime has executed a wide-ranging crackdown on speech, aggressively targeting student protesters, lawyers, and the press. The president has repeatedly labeled the mainstream media the "enemy of the American people," 🙄 utilizing a classic authoritarian playbook to de-legitimize journalism. This regime's actions are alarming: they have banned the Associated Press, threatened media giants like CBS and Disney, pressured comedians like Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert to self-censor, and weaponized executive orders to punish major law firms for their political affiliations. When government officials use their platforms and social media to systematically threaten dissenters, our fundamental liberties are in grave jeopardy.
Alice Johnson, IBA Multimedia JournalistWednesday 14 May 2025
The most powerful way to defend our right to free speech is to actively use it. For historical inspiration, we can look to the famous Speakers’ Corner in London’s Hyde Park. Formally established by the 1872 Parks Regulation Act following massive public protests for voting rights, this public forum became a sanctuary where anyone could speak their mind without fear of government reprisal. It served as a vital platform for suffragettes campaigning for women's enfranchisement, as well as for renowned historical figures like Karl Marx and Marcus Garvey. The novelist George Orwell lauded this unique space of unmediated, face-to-face public debate as “one of the minor wonders of the world”.
Here in Santa Fe, Indivisible Santa Fe is keeping this vital democratic tradition alive by hosting a weekly local Speakers' Corner. Nearly every Saturday at 10:00 AM, friends, neighbors, and advocates gather at the Santa Fe Railyard Park, located right next to SITE Santa Fe at the corner of Paseo de Peralta and S. Guadalupe. You cannot miss us — just look for the passionate crowd standing by the "Speakers' Corner" sign and proudly wearing their No Kings 🚫👑 shirts. This July 4th, as part of celebrating our nation's founding, step up to practice your freedoms. Come out, make your voice heard, and help defend the constitutional rights that make us the proud country 🇺🇸 we are.
Heidi Li Feldman
