Notice went out today to Hillary Clinton supporters that the location for her first big rally on Saturday, June 13 will be at Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park:
Hillary’s official campaign launch will be happening Saturday, June 13th in New York City, and we want you to be there! At the first official rally of this campaign, she will lay out her vision for the country, inspired by the stories she’s heard from everyday Americans.
The event will take place in Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island, and everyone is invited, so RSVP today. The event is open to the public, but it is recommended that guests register for a ticket for expedited entry and to receive event updates. This is a family friendly event, and children under the age of 13 do not need a ticket.
For non-New Yorkers,
Roosevelt Island sits under the Queensboro bridge, nestled in between Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx.
It is most easily accessible by subway and air tram, making it ideal for everyday New Yorkers who want to attend the event:
Roosevelt Island sits directly under the Queensboro Bridge but is not accessible from the bridge, and much of the island remains automobile-free, as was originally intended. To get around, residents can hop the Roosevelt Island Tram. The aerial tramway was created in 1976 as a shuttle between the island and midtown Manhattan. Built by a Swiss company, the tram is able to hold 125 persons. The tram rises to a height of 250 ft (76 meters) from where passengers have a great view over Midtown.
Alternatively you can take the subway from the island (it's the deepest subway station in New York) to Manhattan or Queens. In addition, a small inexpensive shuttle takes residents from a number of apartment buildings to the subway or tram stop.
The Memorial Park is in tribute to FDR's legendary
Four Freedoms Speech, where Roosevelt articulated the four freedoms integral to human rights around the world:
In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.
The first is freedom of speech and expression — everywhere in the world.
The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way — everywhere in the world.
The third is freedom from want — which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants - everywhere in the world.
The fourth is freedom from fear — which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor — anywhere in the world.
What's most interesting, given Clinton's progressive campaign so far, is that she chose to kick off a big rally at a place that not only pays tribute to FDR, but specifically to the speech where he said this:
For there is nothing mysterious about the foundations of a healthy and strong democracy. The basic things expected by our people of their political and economic systems are simple. They are:
- Equality of opportunity for youth and for others.
- Jobs for those who can work.
- Security for those who need it.
- The ending of special privilege for the few.
- The preservation of civil liberties for all.
- The enjoyment of the fruits of scientific progress in a wider and constantly rising standard of living.
...
Many subjects connected with our social economy call for immediate improvement.
As examples:
- We should bring more citizens under the coverage of old-age pensions and unemployment insurance.
- We should widen the opportunities for adequate medical care.
- We should plan a better system by which persons deserving or needing gainful employment may obtain it.
I have called for personal sacrifice. I am assured of the willingness of almost all Americans to respond to that call.
If Clinton's getting ready to push an aggressively progressive agenda that meets the needs of today's Americans, she couldn't pick a better place to do so.
Originally posted at Hillary HQ