"With Liberty and Justice For All"

Veterans from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities will be honored at "With Liberty and Justice For All" — the nation’s only municipal, military salute to LGBT veterans from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at Richard J. Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St. For more information, contact Bill Greaves at 312-744-7911. Dana Starks and Rochelle Crump, Chief of African American Services, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, will greet the veterans and mark their contributions to our nation. Ed Wosylus, Vice President and Secretary of the Chicago Chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights, and Jean Albright, Board Member, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, will highlight their service and their organizations’ accomplishments. Chicago singer and songwriter Jen Porter will perform the national anthem, and the program will include a presentation of colors, a Mayoral proclamation, and a wreathlaying. "With Liberty and Justice for All" comes as Congress considers a bill to repeal the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ban. The Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2007 (H.R. 1246) currently has 143 co-sponsors. Seven members of the Illinois Congressional delegation — Rep. Danny K. Davis (IL-7), Rep. Rahm Emanuel (IL-5), Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (IL-4), Rep. Phil Hare (IL-17), Rep. Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (IL-2), Rep. Bobby L. Rush (IL-1), and Rep. Janice D. Schakowsky (IL-9) — are co-sponsors of the bill. This unparalleled event is meant to pay tribute to America’s LGBT veterans and inspire dialogue and activism during Chicago’s Pride Month celebrations. "With Liberty and Justice For All" is a presentation of the CCHR Advisory Council on Veterans’ Affairs and the CCHR Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues in partnership with the Chicago Chapter of the American Veterans for Equal Rights and the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.