The Start of the Journey.

This journal entry was submitted by the Road Captain of the first leg of the Emancipation Proclamation’s journey and one of the Liberty Ride’s creators: D’Ette.

Liberty Ride Emancipation Proclamation Relay from Bleeding KS to Gettysburg to DC September 5, 2020

 Five weeks ago  I was asked to help set up a page to organize rides to show that not all of Bikerdom had jumped on the Trump Train, disappointed that most everyone I have ever held dear in my heart had become someone I no longer know, I said: “Hell why not”.

Three weeks ago, I started adding people from the group to a map who had said if there really was a way to relay the founding documents around the country to send them back to DC, they would join the mission.  At first it was a puzzle, a challenge to piece together, then it was like herding cats. 

Today the Bill of Rights left Portland Oregon to begin the journey cross country, traveling through 14 states, being passed hand to hand, true patriot to true patriot, showing what UNITED States can do.

In Kansas, Liberty Riders carried the Emancipation Proclamation to where history books claim the Civil War started, years before the Confederate flag was ever flown. Kansas was known as bloody Kansas, so we headed to where all that began, Lecompton KS.  Sitting in the shade we were soon joined for the ride by George Hanna of the Kansas Democratic Party with his wife on a gorgeous trike. It was an honor to speak with him, if only the Statesmen we elect were as in touch with the common man, ya know, one of us, We the People.

 A few minutes later another gentleman pulled up, an older chap and nice enough, curious about what we were doing, he asked. I explained that we were reclaiming what patriotism looks like by relaying the founding documents from all over the country because they had been missing too long and then I asked if he would like to sign it too. The ol guy hesitated at first, asking if he should. “Well“ I replied “are you American?” “Do you believe this country should honor the Emancipation?  He said “Yeah” and he signed.  

George had another commitment but he rode with us into Lawrence, so the ride I initially expected to be just me and a couple old friends from my school days grew to a gang of 8. Some Harleys of course, although I didn’t catch what the stranger was on, we were also joined by some truly old school Liberty Riders, one on an 85 Suzuki and a sweet 1972 Triumph. That old limey Tiger took us all back in time.  George followed us through Lawrence then headed on his way, the rest of us went on to picnic with the Document near the river and chatted like old friends and new, do. 

Soon the ol’ chap whose name I never did get, said he sure would like to ride with us again and inquired more about our mission,  and as soon as I said Liberal, his eyes got wide, and while eating the extra sack lunch I had made, just in case. He said, “well I am probably in the wrong place.”  Proceeding to tell me he supported trump because the option was socialism.  I hurried up and chewed, and cut him off as soon as I could, stating that I wondered if he understood the difference between Socialism and Democratic Socialism. I suggested perhaps he actually look it up,  and without missing a beat I went on to explain that my husband had only recently retired from teaching Industrial Maintenance and Automation programming, I continued to explain that one of his students had the potential to replace hundreds of production workers and that it was the way of the future, what the corporations want. Adding that the world is changing and we better catch up. The conversation was quickly redirected back to the Liberty Ride when he made a comment, the ride ought to steer clear of from Portland.  I chuckled and said the Bill of Rights started to relay from there today.  He started in on what a mess the city was with all the protests and I explained the protests were contained in a very small area and being stoked by agitators on the streets and in the White House, adding that it was working cuz folks are pretty agitated.   He then chuckled as he brought up how ANTIFA was removed from Sturgis, implying they were there to stir up trouble. Of course, I had to point out that it was not ANTIFA protesting per se but some of the 61 percent of the locals who had voted to cancel Sturgis, simply practicing their first amendment right in their own back yard, pointing out that true patriots would have joined them in the protest, considering their voice had been ignored when the governor overruled what the citizens wanted for their town, and further schooling him on how now  South Dakota is recording as much as 300 new diagnoses each day.  The conversation ended abruptly when I was called away, letting my old man, who is very Zen, take it from there.  I don’t know what they spoke of, but I really hope we made a stranger think today, All in all, it was an amazing Ride.