Liberty Amendments Month Inspires Community Unity

Efforts underway to make it a national commemoration

Many Americans will remember the year 2020 for its summer of pain.  This was the year racial strife plagued the nation and challenged all citizens to rededicate themselves to the country’s foundational ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  

Out of this dark hour emerged a beacon of light in the Town of Vienna, Va. – Liberty Amendments Month.  Town Manager Mercury Payton believed that we have more in common than the things that divide us, and he wanted to do something to bring people together to foster mutual respect and understanding.  His idea was to celebrate the 13th, 14th, 15th and 19thAmendments to the U.S. Constitution that give all citizens a say in how they are governed, regardless of their culture or station in life.  These Liberty Amendments granted full citizenship rights to those who were previously excluded from the Constitution.  

The initial plan was to hold one Town event per week that focused on a specific Liberty Amendment.  As word spread, the idea quickly mushroomed, and local organizations eagerly wanted to participate.  By the end of the month-long observance from Juneteenth to July 19, 2021, more than 21,000 people attended 65 educational and commemorative events in our 4.4-square-mile town. The inaugural event highlights can be seen on the Town’s YouTube Channel https://bit.ly/LAM21.

This year marks the third annual Liberty Amendments Month celebration, a commemoration that continues to bring the Vienna community together in a deeply meaningful way.  Efforts are now underway to make it a national observance with the hope that it has the same unifying effect on the entire country that it had on the Town of Vienna. If you are interested in learning more about bringing a Liberty Amendments Month Celebration to your community, contact Mercury Payton at manager@viennava.gov or 703-255-6371.