Contact: Emily Kaplan emily@kleiogroup.com

 

Dear Supports and Friends,

I have canceled my speaking engagement scheduled for this Saturday in conjunction with Stand Up Massachusetts.

The agenda for this event was always meant to focus on protecting our freedoms and the current threats facing them with ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, unlawful vaccination requirements and mask mandates, restrictions on assembly, and the imposition of emergency law. However, in light of the date selected, June 19th, it was essential that we also discuss the importance of the holiday Juneteenth and its significance in American history. From my perspective, Juneteenth presents an opportunity to discuss the American mission to ensure freedom for all.

I did not want to participate in a public event on this important holiday that wasn’t focused on the significance of this holiday. I asked that the holiday be included as a part of all promotional materials and that I focus my discussion on this historic event. This important milestone in American history and its legacy go to the core of our continued need to fight for our freedoms,  and to a more general guarantee of equality in our society. Unfortunately, these requirements of mine were not met, and ultimately I have chosen to pull my participation from the event.

My decision to cancel my talk comes from a deep sense of responsibility I feel to my  supporters, who might have been confused or disappointed to learn that I was involved in an event on June 19th that wasn’t being promoted as part of honoring Juneteenth.

As you all know, from my decades of work as a scholar and journalist, freedom is at the heart of all that drives me. Our ability to speak freely, to gather and move about as we choose, to make our own choices for our bodies and our futures, are all rights I hold dear as an American, as a woman, and as someone with privileges of freedom.  I know how fragile and vulnerable these rights are in our modern world and how crucial it is the honor the histories of earlier and ongoing struggles for liberty. It is important to me that these values be reflected in outreach for any event in which I participate.

I have not collected any payment from the organizers for this event. If you are seeking refunds please contact them directly. I greatly appreciate your continued support.

 

Best,

Naomi

CEO DailyClout