On Sunday, March 4, "We the People of the United States..." sounded forth from the corner of Phinney Avenue North and North 67th Street.
A group of Phinney neighborhood residents plan to gather there and read the U.S. Constitution aloud to commemorate the anniversary of its enactment.
Members of Phinney EcoVillage, a local association dedicated to community-building, hopes to attract residents and remind them of the Constitution's true meaning.
"I think we've forgotten what democracy means," said Cecile Andrews, founder of EcoVillage.
According to Andrews, it's important to be familiar with our Constitution so that we can make reasonable choices.
"We're all trying to make decisions and influence our electorates," Andrews said, "but how can we do that if we haven't read the Constitution?"
A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN
Andrews and others will gather between 1 and 3 p.m., hoping to attract members of the community to come and read the Constitution as part of a national campaign. This is EcoVil-lage's first sponsorship of the reading.
"We hope that there are other communities that do the same thing," said Sara Baldwin, who participates with EcoVillage and teaches English as a Second Language at South Seattle Community College.
Baldwin said that a public reading is necessary to make people aware of how our rights have changed. "We seem to have a few less rights," she said. "I think it's important to revisit the contract that we made with our government."
CREATING COMMUNITY
Phinney EcoVillage is a member of the Backbone Campaign, a national progressive group headquartered in Seattle. Many different groups will participate in the public reading of the Constitution this year, including numerous communities around Seattle.
After the event in the Phinney neighborhood, Andrews and others plan to attend MarchForth!, an event at Seattle Center open to everyone.
With live music and speakers, the event's goal is to unite all Seattle communities and promote interaction. MarchForth! is scheduled between 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. at the Seattle Center House.
Within the Phinney neighborhood, Andrews hopes the event creates a greater sense of community among its residents.
"It's important to have a sense of knowing your neighbors and what's going on in your neighborhood," she said.
Phinney EcoVillage frequently sponsors events aimed at uniting community members and talking about current issues. A weekly think tank targeting those who work at home meets every Wednesday at Mae's Café, 6412 Phinney Ave. N.
Additionally, a monthly meeting on global-warming issues meets at the Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N.; call 783-2244 for more information.
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