World Freedom Day, 2017

Vol. 82

Tuesday,

No. 218

November 14, 2017

Part III

The President

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Proclamation 9673--World Freedom Day, 2017

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 9673 of November 8, 2017

World Freedom Day, 2017

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

For 28 years, the Berlin Wall divided families,
friends, and communities, barricading oppressed Germans
living on the Eastern side from seeking the freedom
they deserved in the West. This World Freedom Day, 28
years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, we celebrate
the day on November 9, 1989, when people of East and
West Germany tore down the Berlin Wall and freedom
triumphed over Communism. We laud the courage of all
people who insist on a better future for themselves,
their families, and their country, as we reflect on the
state of freedom in our world today and those who have
made the ultimate sacrifice defending it.

The fall of the Berlin Wall spurred the reunification
of Germany and the spread of democratic values across
Central and Eastern Europe. Through democratic
elections, and a strong commitment to human rights,
these determined men and women ensured that their
fellow and future citizens could live their lives in
freedom. Today, we are reminded that the primary
function of government is precisely this, to secure
precious individual liberties.

While we live in a time of unprecedented freedom,
terrorism and extremism around the world continue to
threaten us. The ultimate triumph of freedom, peace,
and security over repressive totalitarianism depends on
our ability to work side-by-side with our friends and
allies. When nations work together, we have and we will
secure and advance freedom and stability throughout our
world.

On World Freedom Day, we recommit to the advancement of
freedom over the forces of repression and radicalism.
We continue to make clear that oppressive regimes
should trust their people and grant their citizens the
liberty they deserve. The world will be better for it.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim November 9, 2017, as
World Freedom Day. I call upon the people of the United
States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies
and activities, reaffirming our dedication to freedom
and democracy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eighth day of November, in the year of our Lord two
thousand seventeen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
second.