Maryland Marks Third Anniversary of Capital Gazette Tragedy
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan has proclaimed June 28, 2021, “Freedom of the Press Day” in honor of the five Capital Gazette employees who were murdered in the newsroom on June 28, 2018: Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith, and Wendi Winters.
“It has now been three years since five employees of the Capital Gazette lost their lives in a horrific act of violence,” said Governor Hogan. “Today, as we dedicate a new memorial in their honor, we are reminded that our First Amendment—and our democracy itself—depends on a strong, vibrant, and unfettered free press. We must all continue to work hard to guard and defend that at all costs.”
View the proclamation here.
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS DAY
JUNE 28, 2021
WHEREAS, The Founding Fathers of the United States recognized the vital importance of a free press to uphold the nation’s democracy through the inclusion of the right to a free press in the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, Other nations throughout the world do not enjoy this right; and
WHEREAS, Members of the United States Armed Forces have defended and given the ultimate sacrifice to protect this right; and
WHEREAS, This right is threatened in the United States and around the world by acts of violence and dangerous, irresponsible rhetoric; and
WHEREAS, All Marylanders join on June 28, 2020 in honoring the loss of the lives of Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith and Wendi Winters of the Capital Gazette, who were murdered in the newsroom in Annapolis, Maryland; and
WHEREAS, June 28, will be observed as Freedom of the Press Day in Maryland to memorialize the lives lost on June 28, 2018, at the Capital Gazette offices and to honor and protect all journalists serving a vital role in the world’s democratic process to inform residents of the happenings of their governments.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND, do hereby proclaim June 28, 2021 as FREEDOM OF THE PRESS DAY in Maryland, and do commend this observance to all of our citizens.
