The Freedom Pilgrimage
/From July 14-18, 2023, the annual convention of the American Association for Justice took place in Philadelphia. It’s always awesome to see good friends, attend great continuing legal education courses, and explore the location of the convention. This year was no different.
I was particularly excited to see the sights since I’d never been to Philly.
Pro tip: don’t do your sight seeing on a Sunday when its raining. Also, a small amount of research goes a long way [facepalm]. For example, although the National Park Service gives guided tours of Independence Hall, there is only space for around 20 people per tour. The tours are free, but you are required to get tickets online, here. Not knowing that the first time, I went back the next day to take the tour, and it was well worth it.
The National Park Service officer, above, began the tour by asking everyone if they knew what this room was. I recognized the Judge’s bench, witness stand, and an accompanying jury box instantly, but did not answer any questions. What I did not immediately recognize was the cage in the center of the room.
The officer explained people accused of crimes would be tried while in the cage. She questioned how one could be presumed innocent in front of their peers while caged in such a manner, and how unfair that must have been. The officer then explained the importance of an impartial jury trial, and the importance placed upon that right by the founding fathers. The officer then instructed the group to turn around and go across the hall, seen below:
It was in this room where the Declaration of Independence was signed (albeit not all at the same time). In writing this document, Thomas Jefferson listed grievances committed by King George III, including:
“The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
. . .
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury ... .”
The Sixth Amendment and the Seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution, proposed several years later in 1789, enshrined the benefit of the right to trial by jury in criminal and civil cases, respectively. Every state constitution also enshrines these rights, which we’ve written about in other places, here.
It is also worth mentioning the room pictured above is where Nicholas Cage read a treasure map with bifocals left behind a brick on the building. #IYKYK
Other interesting facts from the National Park Service are seen below:
The freedom pilgrimage could not have been complete without retracing the steps of the greatest boxer of all time.
I didn’t realize how far Rocky ran while training for the first Apollo Creed fight until actually going to Philly. The montage has him going from the gym, to the Italian market, passed town hall, and up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, estimated to be approximately 30 miles. That’s probably why he went the distance with Creed.
There’s lots to do and see in Philly. Hopefully some of the above provides some guidance the next time you are there.
