Signup link: https://www.mobilize.us/mountainindivisible/event/795950/

This Friday June 6th is the 81st anniversary of D-Day. It will be a day of peaceful protest to commemorate the sacrifices of D-Day veterans, and to defend the US Constitution from threats to Democracy — the very democracy our D-Day veterans fought so hard to protect.

The protest is inspired by the “Bonus Army of 1932,” which marched on Washington in the summer of 1932 to successfully persuade politicians to re-instate promised WWI combat bonuses. Just like the Bonus Army of 1932, this Friday’s protests around the country, and on the Burnsville NC Square, will bring the threat of vanishing veterans’ rights to the forefront.

President Donald J. Trump is making quick work of erasing the history and benefits of millions of veterans. Trump’s announcement to rename “Veteran’s Day” to “Victory Day for WWI,” erases the very history of millions of veterans who served after WWI—specifically the millions who served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and countless other operations.

Current chaos and cuts to the Veterans Administration have already hobbled the system. Internal VA emails reveal that thousands of the 9 million veterans currently receiving benefits are already enduring gut wrenching cuts. These include loss of cancer treatments, loss of temporary housing for homeless vets, and loss of PACT Act protections to vets exposed to burn pits and other atrocities. Proposed downsizing of VA staff by 70,000 and DOGE-proposed closures of more than17 hospitals will be catastrophic.

Come join us Friday June 6th from 11:30-1:30 at the Burnsville NC Square to support veterans, the US Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence. The event will include readings of both documents, and will include “take-the-oath” ceremonies for any citizen wanting to take the oath to protect and defend the constitution. Anyone who has already taken the oath as part of their job requirement, such as civil servants, politicians, lawyers, judges, or anyone else, may come to re-commit to their oath by re-taking it.

“All US residents, including our bravest —our veterans — are entitled to the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” said Lea Charlton, a co-founder of Mountain Indivisible of WNC. “We should all be committed every day to protecting those rights.” Mountain Indivisible of WNC is sponsoring the event. It organizes pro-democracy events in Mitchell and Yancey Counties, and supports efforts in Avery County. For additional information, go to: mountainindivisible.org