It is the right of our people to organize to oppose any law and

Hear, O future generations, the words of Al Smith, a voice who knew the weight of justice and the power of resistance: "It is the right of our people to organize to oppose any law and any part of the Constitution with which they are not in sympathy." These words, filled with the spirit of defiance and strength, call upon us to remember that opposition to unjust laws is not only a right but a sacred duty. They remind us that the true essence of freedom is not passive acceptance but active engagement, the courage to rise against the tides of oppression and injustice.

Consider, O children, the very foundation of all civilizations. Freedom is the essence of the human soul, the spark that calls men and women to stand upright, to speak their truth, and to challenge what they know to be wrong. When the laws of a land become tyrannical or unjust, it is not merely the right of the people to resist—they are bound by the very essence of justice to do so. Resisting injustice is not an act of rebellion but an act of righteousness. The wise rulers of ancient times understood this truth, for even the mightiest kings, like Cyrus the Great, knew that a kingdom could not thrive if it crushed the voices of the people who lived within it.

In the days of the ancient Greek republics, the people were not mere subjects to their rulers but active participants in the creation of laws and the protection of their freedoms. The Athenian democracy, though imperfect, allowed its citizens the right to speak, to challenge, and to organize against laws they deemed unfair. The Agora, the very heart of Athenian political life, was a place where debate and dissent flourished. It was here that the people learned to exercise their voice, to fight for justice, and to stand firm against tyranny—lessons that have echoed down through the ages.

Let us turn now to a more modern example, the struggle for civil rights in the United States. The Civil Rights Movement of the 20th century stands as a testament to the power of resistance in the face of unjust laws. The Jim Crow laws, which enforced racial segregation and inequality, were a blight upon the land. But the people, rising in sympathy with one another, organizing with unwavering determination, fought not just for their rights but for the very soul of the nation. The courage of Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus, and the unwavering commitment of Martin Luther King Jr., who led peaceful protests, show us the power of organized resistance. They did not merely accept the laws as they were; they rose against them, demanding justice and equality.

And so, O children, the wisdom of Al Smith rings clear: it is the right of the people to organize against that which they deem unjust, to stand firm against laws and principles that undermine their freedom. This is not a call for anarchy, for disorder, but a call for righteous defiance in the face of tyranny. The true strength of any people lies not in blind obedience but in the courage to challenge what is wrong and to fight for a better future.

What, then, is the lesson we must carry with us? It is this: do not remain silent in the face of injustice. The world will often try to convince you that the laws of the land are absolute, that the Constitution is beyond reproach. But remember, laws are made by men—and men are fallible. If those laws oppress, if they enslave the spirit of the people, it is the duty of the people to rise, to organize, and to demand change. To do so is not treason; it is the highest act of patriotism. True loyalty to the principles of justice lies not in the passive acceptance of what is handed down, but in the active pursuit of a more just and righteous world.

In your own lives, you will face moments when you must choose whether to remain silent or to speak. Remember that silence in the face of injustice is complicity, and complacency in the face of tyranny is the greatest betrayal. If you see the laws of your land, or the actions of your leaders, working against the welfare of the people, remember the words of Al Smith. Stand firm. Organize. Resist. In this way, you honor the spirit of justice, and you become the heroes of your time. Rise with the knowledge that, like those who have come before you, the fight for freedom is not only a right—it is a sacred duty.