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A Time to Reflect: The Fourth of July and the Erosion of Our Freedoms

Cheryl Schultz, Chair of the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party

As we prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, flags, and family gatherings, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on why we celebrate this day. At its heart, Independence Day marks our nation’s founding commitment to liberty — the kind of freedom President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously outlined in his 1941 State of the Union address: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

Here in Evansville, those ideals are carved into stone at our Four Freedoms Monument, standing proudly along the riverfront as a testament to the values we hold dear. But this year, those freedoms feel more fragile than ever.

In a deeply concerning decision, the United States Supreme Court has ruled to limit the use of nationwide injunctions — a vital judicial tool that allows federal courts to block unlawful actions by the government on a broad scale. For decades, nationwide injunctions have been used to halt harmful policies affecting millions of Americans — whether it was to stop discriminatory immigration bans, prevent restrictions on reproductive healthcare, or protect voting rights.

Without this tool, the courts — one of the last lines of defense against federal overreach — will be far more limited in their ability to shield Americans from unconstitutional laws and executive actions. The implications are sobering: justice and protection may now depend on your zip code rather than your rights as an American.

This isn’t just a legal issue. It’s a freedom issue.

Freedom of speech is meaningless if the government can punish dissent in one state while another court is powerless to act. Freedom from fear cannot exist when marginalized communities must wait, state by state, for relief from federal injustice. The erosion of nationwide injunctions chips away at our ability to respond swiftly and decisively when constitutional rights are under threat.

On this Fourth of July, the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party urges all citizens to recommit to the core freedoms our nation was built on — and to stay vigilant. Democracy depends on more than celebration; it demands participation. Let’s honor our Four Freedoms not just with fireworks, but with action, organizing, and a fierce defense of liberty for all.

Because freedom, once lost, is not easily regained.

Poker Run – July 17

Join us for the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party Poker Run on Wednesday, July 17! We’ll be visiting five great local establishments, with tickets just $35. The fun kicks off with registration and your first card draw at 5:00 PM at Roberts on the River. The top poker hand will take home a $1,000 prize! All proceeds support our efforts to promote and elect strong Democratic candidates in 2026. Don’t miss this exciting evening of fun, fellowship, and support for local democracy!

Click here to get your ticket and join the fun!

Announcing the Future Leaders Fellowship!

We’re thrilled to launch the Future Leaders Fellowship—a dynamic new program created to fast-track passionate and talented young individuals, ages 18–30, into leadership roles in public service and advocacy.

Fellows will be matched with experienced mentors, participate in skill-building workshops, gain valuable networking connections, and receive hands-on experience working on local campaigns.

Applications are open July 1 through August 30, and our inaugural class will be announced at the Four Freedoms Dinner this fall.

Apply today at vancountydems.org/FLF, and please help us spread the word to the rising leaders in your life!

Special thanks to our In to Win monthly donors!

Blue — Glenn Boberg, Tamara Wilder
Gold — Jim Butler, Dona Hall
Silver — Mary Ruthenburg, Noah Robinson, Gina Robinson Ungar, Anne Butsch

Leah Dugan, Ulanda Sanders, Becky Heil, Paula Jernigan, Charles Conaway, Susan Meyer, Sally Busby, Ann Wallis, Jane Duesterberg, Cheryl Schultz, Jonathan McGovern, Janet Hollis, Melissa Vandeveer, Freda Vossburg
Bronze — Edie Hardcastle, Valerie Ewers, Nancy Higgs, Pearl Quartey, Caroline Nellis, Nikki Webb, Mary Engelland, Jennifer Zoph, Kathryn Rybak, Steven Weber, Shannon Dierlam

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