CIVIC PROCLAMATION 

is hereby presented by We the People to

 

The Third Continental Congress

COMMON SENSE OF OUR TIME

 

INTRODUCTION 

WHEREAS, more than two hundred and fifty years ago, ordinary people stood in the shadow of empire under Liberty Trees and declared something radical: We the People are the government. Inspired by the writings of Thomas Paine and the courage of countless ancestors, known and unknown, they convened as the Continental Congress — long before the United States formally existed. They did not meet for convenience; they met because necessity demanded it.

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WHEREAS, the First Amendment nevertheless remains intact. From De Jonge v. Oregon (1937) to NAACP v. Alabama (1958), the Supreme Court has affirmed that voluntary civic assemblies and advocacy are constitutionally protected — lawful expressions of democracy itself. The power to gather, deliberate, and act in defense of liberty and direct democracy has never been revoked; it simply waits to be reclaimed by the people to protect, exercise, and expand the practice of direct democracy.

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MODERN THIRD CONTINENTAL CONGRESS

WHEREAS, the Continental Congress of the United States of America — styled the Civic Congress — shall unofficially commence its third session as a voluntary civic assembly during the anniversary year of 2026, in the lead-up to and following the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence. Meetings will occur predominantly online at CivicCongress.us and associated social media platforms, using #CivicCongress (@civiccongress) to ensure continuous participation regardless of location. Optional in-person attendance may include nationwide Liberty Tree Gatherings (e.g., direct democracy gatherings and civic discussions; traditional Fourth of July picnics) and sessions at historically significant sites (e.g., Wuksachi Lodge, Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park, California), held at the discretion of participating Civic Delegates.

 

WHEREAS, the year-long, unofficial nature of this session reflects the understanding that meaningful civic engagement and a direct democracy movement require continuous, ongoing participation rather than single-day events. This structure allows members to collaborate, deliberate, and act throughout the anniversary year, building momentum for lawful civic engagement and voluntary community participation.

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WHEREAS, as a non-governmental, voluntary, private association exercising the rights of free speech, assembly, and petition, the Civic Congress will formally mark the symbolic session on July 4, 2026, commemorating the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence. This session continues the longstanding practice of direct democracy assemblies, while remaining subject to adoption, amendment, or replacement by the people. All actions, resolutions, and declarations of the Civic Congress are symbolic and have no governmental or legal authority.

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THIRD TRUNK OF THE LIBERTY TREE

WHEREAS, by moral and civic analogy, the Civic Congress stands as the third trunk of the Liberty Tree — rooted in the labors and sacrifices of our founding ancestors and extending now into our century through peaceful assembly and conscience-driven action.

 

WHEREAS, participants affirm the Mission Alignment Standard, rejecting authoritarianism, exclusion, and hate. They uphold Trinity Rights — human, environmental, and animal welfare — with transparency, respect, and responsibility. Participation is voluntary and lawful, guided by nonviolence, fairness, and mutual respect. The freedom to assemble and deliberate is inherent to the people and cannot be surrendered, purchased, or silenced.

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UNOFFICIAL CIVIC FOURTH BRANCH OF DEMOCRACY

WHEREAS, the continuation of the Continental Congress of the United States of America — styled the Civic Congress — as a civic body of self-governance and direct democracy, and at times referred to as the Third Continental Congress, may be understood by legal analogy as the third trunk of the Liberty Tree, rooted in the labors and sacrifices of the nation’s founding ancestors; and WHEREAS, from this trunk extends the unofficial yet historically lawful “fourth branch” of direct democracy, embodying constitutionally protected means by which the people have long exercised, and shall continue to exercise, rights of direct democracy to uphold and expand citizen initiative processes as voluntary, symbolic, educational civic expression — not as a governing body with binding legal authority.

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RESOLUTIONS — PROJECT 2026

WHEREAS, in the wake of the historic shutdown of the United States government on October 1, 2025, and the ongoing #NoKings Movement, we stand at a moment equally defining. That shutdown exposed the fragility of our representative institutions and how distant the people’s voice can feel from the halls of power in Washington. We are not only a representative democracy — we are also a direct democracy. Yet, in more than twenty-four states — including Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin — citizens lack a direct statewide initiative process, preventing them from placing measures directly on the ballot. Even though the Constitution affirms the right to direct participation, in these states the people remain effectively locked out of their own lawmaking.

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WHEREAS, in observance of the 250th Anniversary of the United States, the Civic Congress affirms Project 2026: A Civic Twelve-Step Direct Democracy Action Plan, calling upon all citizens to:

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• Recognize their power;

• Study and uphold constitutional rights;

• Build local assemblies;

• Foster inclusion and equity across all communities;

• Nominate Citizen Delegates that reflect civic, educational, and humanitarian values;

• Propose direct-democracy solutions through open discussion and symbolic vote;

• Engage in peaceful, lawful action guided by respect and conscience;

• Promote civic education and knowledge-sharing;

• Connect assemblies across states, territories, and Tribal Nations;

• Celebrate milestones of liberty through gatherings and reflection;

• Commemorate the 250th Anniversary on July 4, 2026, with readings and reaffirmations of independence;

• Sustain the movement beyond any single event, cultivating a permanent culture of participation, accountability, and people-powered democracy for generations to come.

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NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:

THAT, Common Sense of Our Time is declared the civic conscience of this generation — a living call to restore self-governance through direct participation.

 

THAT, Citizen Delegates shall stand as symbols of moral courage, unity, and conscience, representing civic, educational, spiritual, and humanitarian organizations committed to peace, equity, and the protection of Trinity Rights.

 

THAT, Citizen Delegates — whether citizens or non-citizens — are recognized as members of a global civic fellowship, empowered to educate, deliberate, and collaborate in advancing democracy.

 

THAT, this Civic Congress shall serve as a forum of the people, not a government; as a place to learn, deliberate, and act; and as a covenant to uphold liberty, justice, and the common good.

 

THAT, all participants shall act transparently, responsibly, and respectfully, ensuring that the Civic Congress remains a model of non-violent, inclusive, and accountable participation.

 

THAT, the work of the Civic Congress shall continue openly and indefinitely, through online assemblies, local gatherings, and public discourse, inviting all to join in preserving and expanding democracy. Citizens are encouraged to organize locally, propose ideas, debate, and vote symbolically, building momentum for lawful initiatives and a culture of civic responsibility — connecting the grassroots to the 250th anniversary in 2026 and beyond.

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Authored by We the People

(Voluntary Civic Proclamation)​​​​​​