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PRODID://LCVA//1418701
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DTSTAMP:20260430T013416
VTIMEZONE:America/New_York
DTSTART:20260611T210000Z
DTEND:20260611T230000Z
UID:1418701
SUMMARY:"ALL Men are Created Equal:" The Declaration of Independence and Black Freedom Suits & Freedom Petitions  
LOCATION:Historic Christ Church & Museum, 420 Christ Church Road, Weems, VA, 22576
DESCRIPTION:"ALL Men are Created Equal:" The Declaration of Independence and Black Freedom Suits & Freedom Petitions  \n\n06/11/26 05:00 PM EST\n - 06/11/26 07:00 PM EST\Description:\nThe Declaration of Independence asserted that "all men are created equal" and have natural rights and the right of self-government by consent. Slavery contradicted these core principles of the Declaration of Independence as America's creedal document. In part one of HCC&M's 2026 Summer Speaker Series, Tony Williams, a Senior Fellow at the Bill of Rights Institution, shows how enslaved people were the first to make a claim on those principles of liberty, equality, and self-government to fulfill the unrealized promise of America. Using the Declaration of Independence as their "North Star," they launched "freedom petitions" and "freedom suits," making a claim on natural rights with unexpected and surprising outcomes. Williams will also sign copies of his new book Divided Over the Declaration: How an Enduring Debate Sustains the Vision of America. Wine & cheese reception with speaker and book signing. Part one of the 2026 Summer Speaker Series.\Details:\nWine and cheese reception with speaker and book signing. Tickets required.\Location:\nHistoric Christ Church & Museum\n420 Christ Church Road\nWeems, VA 22576
X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:"ALL Men are Created Equal:" The Declaration of Independence and Black Freedom Suits & Freedom Petitions  <br /><br />06/11/26 05:00 PM EST - 06/11/26 07:00 PM EST<br />Description:<br />The Declaration of Independence asserted that &quot;all men are created equal&quot; and have natural rights and the right of self-government by consent. Slavery contradicted these core principles of the Declaration of Independence as America's creedal document. In part one of HCC&amp;M's 2026 Summer Speaker Series, Tony Williams, a Senior Fellow at the Bill of Rights Institution, shows how enslaved people were the first to make a claim on those principles of liberty, equality, and self-government to fulfill the unrealized promise of America. Using the Declaration of Independence as their &quot;North Star,&quot; they launched &quot;freedom petitions&quot; and &quot;freedom suits,&quot; making a claim on natural rights with unexpected and surprising outcomes. Williams will also sign copies of his new book <em>Divided Over the Declaration: How an Enduring Debate Sustains the Vision of America</em>. Wine &amp; cheese reception with speaker and book signing. Part one of the 2026 Summer Speaker Series.<br />Details:<br />Wine and cheese reception with speaker and book signing.&nbsp;<a href="https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=a78d2809-11dc-4401-a550-95f74dc2df22&amp;envId=p-6xkVcRwaz0eY-1TeDEKA2A&amp;zone=usa" title="Tickets required.">Tickets required.</a><br />Location:<br />Historic Christ Church & Museum<br />420 Christ Church Road<br />Weems, VA 22576
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DESCRIPTION:Reminder
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