Inaugural Liberty Amendments Month To Be Recognized In Vienna

VIENNA, VA — The Town of Vienna will recognize the inaugural Liberty Amendments Month with a variety of events.

Liberty Amendments Month is centered around the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 19th amendments, which provided rights to people who were previously excluded. The first amendments to the U.S. Constitution in 60 years, the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments are known as the Civil War Amendments as they extended rights to recently emancipated slaves. The 13th Amendment in 1865 abolished slavery; the 14th Amendment in 1868 granted citizenship to anyone born or naturalized in the U.S. and reaffirmed the right to due process, life, liberty, and property; and the 15th Amendment in 1870 protected the right to vote for people regardless of race, color, or past servitude.

The 19th Amendment in 1920, which extended the right to vote to women, is also included in the Liberty Amendments.

The idea to celebrate Liberty Amendments Month came from Vienna Town Manager Mercury Payton.

"We all can celebrate these amendments that ensure rights and liberties for each of us," Payton said.

The month-long celebration will kick off June 19 at First Baptist Church of Vienna’s annual Juneteenth Celebration and close with a Multicultural Festival on July 17 and town observance of Liberty Amendments Day on July 19. Nearly 30 activities will be featured over four weeks. On each week between June 19 and July 19, one of the four Liberty Amendments will be recognized with contests, entertainment, lectures, performances, classes, themed restaurant specials, art exhibits, films, shows, walks, and more. All events will follow COVID-19 protocols.

"I am so proud that the Town of Vienna is leading the way in initiating this holiday and month-long commemoration of these fundamental rights that we all cherish," said Mayor Linda Colbert. "I am especially proud that Town Manager Mercury Payton came up with the idea and we have worked hard to see it become a reality."

Below are the highlighted events for Liberty Amendments Month in Vienna. For a full list of events, visit viennava.gov/liberty.

Juneteenth Celebration at First Baptist Church: June 19, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

450 Orchard Street NW, Vienna

The 2021 Juneteenth Celebration will include the Inaugural Liberty Amendments Month Ceremony at 11 a.m., live music, kids’ performers, vendors featuring black owned businesses and craft vendors, civic organizations, food trucks, and a book give away for kids. The event will be live-streamed on Town of Vienna and First Baptist social media. First Baptist Church will also host a COVID-19 vaccination clinic during the event.

14th Amendment Kick-Off Celebration: June 26, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry Street SE, Vienna

This event focuses on the Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court case followed by a Q&A with Philip Hirschkop (who represented the Loving’s), along with first-person testimonial from community members who were directly affected by the Supreme Court decision in 1967.

15th Amendment Kick-Off Celebration: Justice for All Concert & Festival: July 3, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Vienna Town Green, 144 Maple Avenue, Vienna

This event showcases community musicians performing songs with a justice theme. The event will also feature food vendors, civic organizations, voter registration and more.

19th Amendment Kick-Off Celebration: ‘But for the 19th Amendment’ - A Talk Delivered by Cheryl Johnson, Clerk of the US House of Representatives: July 10, 2 p.m.

Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. SE, Vienna and livestreamed through Facebook and YouTube

This event features a speech and Q&A with Cheryl Johnson, Clerk of the House of Representatives. It will be followed by the American Association of University W performance: Failure is Impossible.

Multicultural Festival: July 17, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Historic Church Street and the Vienna Town Green, Vienna

The festival features a day-long bevy of performers, interactive activities, crafts, food, and vendors that celebrate the diverse cultures and communities in Northern Virginia and the DC metro area.

Observance of Liberty Amendments Day (Town Offices Closed): July 19

Liberty Amendments Day is recognized as an official 2021 Town holiday.