from OFFICE of the Press Secretary (www.whitehouse.gov/)
For nearly three decades, the Berlin Wall divided a nation and stood as one
symbol of a system that denied individuals the freedoms that are the right of
every person. It separated families and suppressed free will and
self-determination -- but while it tried to contain the yearnings of a
courageous and unwavering people for liberty and justice, it could not crush
them. Twenty-five years ago today, Germans from East and West came together to
tear down the Wall and begin the work of building an open and prosperous
society. On World Freedom Day (9 November 2014), we honor a generation that refused to be defined
by a wall, and we reaffirm our commitment to stand with all those who seek to
join the free world.
The images of this extraordinary event are seared in our memory and enshrined
in our history: brave crowds climbing atop an old barrier and Berliners
reuniting in city streets. But the victory of 1989 was not inevitable. We will
not forget those who risked bullets, dug through tunnels, leapt from buildings,
and crossed barbed wire, minefields, and a mighty river in pursuit of freedom.
In their struggle -- and in the memory of all those who did not live to see
Berlin united and free -- Americans see our own past, as well as the spirit of
citizens around the world who long for opportunity and are willing to do the
hard work of building a democracy.
America stood with those on both sides of the Iron Curtain who held fast to
the belief that a better future was possible, and as the Berlin Wall fell, it
spurred a more integrated, more prosperous, and more secure Europe. Today,
Germany is one of our strongest allies. And as we pay tribute to our shared
past, we are reminded that upholding peace and security is the responsibility of
every nation. There is no progress without sacrifice and no freedom without
solidarity, and we cannot shrink from our role of advancing the values in which
we believe.
The story of Berlin shows us that with grit and determination, we have the
power to shape our own destiny, even in the face of impossible odds. As we
celebrate a triumph over tyranny, we also recognize that the challenges to peace
and human dignity continue in our complex world and that complacency is not the
character of great nations. Let us resolve to extend a hand to those who reach
for freedom still and continue the pursuit of peace in our time.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America,
by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim November 9, 2014, as World Freedom Day. I call
upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate
ceremonies and activities, reaffirming our dedication to freedom and democracy.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment