![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.beliefnet.com\/sites\/240\/2011\/06\/shutterstock_3454978-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>Yes, we must be vigilant and stand-up for those freedoms – whether it’s in court, Congress, or even the public arena.
\n\u00a0
\nOur roadmap is the U.S. Constitution.\u00a0 And, much of the work we do at the American Center for Law and Justice involves defending the First Amendment:
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\n“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
\n\u00a0
\nThe Constitution – a framework for freedom – is as vital today as when it was adopted by our Founders when this country was formed.
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\nOn this Independence Day, let’s not forget that freedom comes with a price. Defending our freedoms – our way of life – requires sacrifice and vigilance – especially from those men and women in the Armed Forces. To the men and women around the globe – protecting our freedoms – thank-you for your service.
\n\u00a0
\nLet’s not forget that this Independence Day comes as we prepare to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the tragic and deadly attacks of 9-11. A decade has passed since America received this horrific wake-up call. The message was loud and clear: there are those dedicated to destroying our freedoms, our liberty, our way of life.
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\nMost Americans understand what’s at stake. They appreciate our country and our constitutional republic. And they understand we can no longer take those freedoms for granted.
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\nAs the grandson of a Russian immigrant – a fruit peddler from in Brooklyn, New York – I say thank-you to those who came before us – those are paved the way – those who stand now in defense of the United States of America – the greatest nation on earth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As a second generation American, I cherish the freedoms of America. I’m the grandson of a Russian immigrant. My grandfather came to the United States with his family through Ellis Island at the age of 14 – to escape religious persecution. \u00a0 At a time when the fight for religious freedom is still very real…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":401,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[164,163,66],"tags":[165,752,743,776,167,780,779,7,765,166],"class_list":["post-466","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-freedom","category-independence-day","category-u-s-constitution","tag-4th-of-july","tag-9-11","tag-aclj","tag-first-amendment","tag-founding-fathers","tag-freedom","tag-independence-day","tag-religious-liberty","tag-u-s-constitution","tag-u-s-independence"],"yoast_head":"\n
A "Thank-You" on this Independence Day - Faith & Justice<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/2011\/07\/a-thank-you-on-this-independence-day.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A "Thank-You" on this Independence Day - Faith & Justice\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"As a second generation American, I cherish the freedoms of America. I’m the grandson of a Russian immigrant. 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Jay Sekulow is the host of Jay Sekulow Live! which airs each weekday on over 850 radio stations nationwide, in addition Sirius and XM satellite radio. He brings insight and education to listeners daily through this national call-in radio program. He is also the host of the ACLJ This Week, the ACLJ\u2019s weekly television program. Jay Sekulow regularly appears on major media outlets, including FOX News, CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC, where he is sought out for his vast experience in constitutional law and his unique insight into many of the pressing legal and political issues facing America today. He is frequently quoted in the nation's leading newspapers and often contributes opinion editorials to national publications. Jay Sekulow has also published numerous law review and other scholarly articles. Jay Sekulow has received numerous honors for his groundbreaking legal work in the area of free speech and religious liberties. The Legal Times has named Sekulow one of \u201cThe 90 Greatest Washington Lawyers of the Last 30 Years\u201d and the National Law Journal has twice named Sekulow one of the \u201c100 Most Influential Lawyers\u201d in the United States. In addition, TIME Magazine listed Jay Sekulow as one of the \"25 Most Influential Evangelicals\" in America. Jay Sekulow\u2019s legal work in defense of religious liberties and human rights extends beyond the United States, having founded the ECLJ in Strasbourg, France, which maintains consultative status with the United Nations. He has also opened offices in Pakistan, Africa, and Jerusalem, Israel. Jay Sekulow is a staunch defender of Israel, presenting arguments before the International Criminal Court at the Hague. 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He later earned a Ph.D. from Regent University, writing his dissertation on American Legal History. Jay Sekulow also serves on the Board of Trustees for The Supreme Court Historical Society in Washington, D.C. Jay Sekulow, ACLJ Chief Counsels full biography and video. Jay Sekulow on Facebook. Jay Sekulow on Twitter. 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<\/a>Yes, we must be vigilant and stand-up for those freedoms – whether it’s in court, Congress, or even the public arena.