For the People: Protecting the Rule of Law Together
As we gather to celebrate Independence Day, we are reminded that the freedoms we cherish -freedom of speech, the right to due process, and the right to vote—are not simply symbolic. They are upheld by a legal and civic infrastructure that must be continually strengthened, defended, and renewed. The Fourth of July is often framed as a celebration of past triumphs when in truth, it is also a call to vigilance and a reminder that the principles we celebrate are only real when we actively protect them.
The idea of freedom loses meaning when due process is denied or inconsistently applied. Liberty, without justice, is hollow. In 2025, the challenges to justice are increasingly textured and sophisticated. There are disinformation and misinformation campaigns which sow distrust in our institutions; legislative rollbacks that erode civil protections; targeted attacks on voting rights, immigrants, LGBTQ+ communities, and communities of color; and rising political rhetoric that casts doubt on the legitimacy of legal professionals who defend the rule of law.
These threats do not stay contained in the headlines; they reverberate through our communities and weaken the very fabric of equal justice. Protecting the rule of law cannot fall solely on the shoulders of lawyers and judges. It is a shared responsibility, a collective charge for all of us who believe in fairness, accountability, and the power of the law to serve the public good.
At the heart of our legal system is the principle of due process which ensures the right to fair treatment, regardless of background, status, or belief. Due process allows people to challenge wrongful actions, defend themselves against unjust accusations, and expect a system which values truth over power. It keeps our democracy from slipping into authoritarianism, and yet across the country, we see it eroding through voter suppression, over-policing, lack of legal representation, and policies that target entire communities. The impact is profound, not just for those directly affected, but for the moral health of our society. When due process is undermined for some, justice becomes less stable for everyone. We cannot allow the legal safeguards that define our democracy to be treated as optional or disposable.
Equally alarming is the growing climate of hostility toward judges and lawyers, particularly those who stand up for the marginalized, represent protestors, or challenge powerful institutions. In recent years, we have seen judges, civil rights attorneys, and public defenders face intimidation, retaliation, and even threats to their safety. This includes many of the civil legal aid attorneys supported by the Philadelphia Bar Foundation, who act as first responders in moments of personal and systemic crisis. They do this work not for recognition, but out of a deep belief that justice should be accessible, not just for the privileged, but for everyone. When judges and lawyers are targeted for doing their jobs, it signals a dangerous turning point, one that we cannot afford to ignore. Protecting them means protecting the rights of the people they serve. It means standing together when others attempt to divide us. It means using our voices, our resources, and our networks to safeguard the systems that protect all of us.
The Philadelphia Bar Foundation was built on that belief. For 60 years, our mission has been to defend due process, expand equal and equitable access to justice, and strengthen the rule of law through collective action. As we mark this patriotic month, I urge you to not only reflect, but to act.
Action takes many forms. Support a civil legal aid organization doing critical work in your community. Speak up when you see due process under threat. Share the stories of legal defenders who work quietly and tirelessly to uphold the rights of others. Give generously to help sustain the organizations that hold our legal system accountable. Join us in building a legal culture that puts people first and centers fairness, equality, and care.
This Independence Day, let us recommit ourselves not just to freedom as an idea, but to justice as a daily practice. When we protect the rule of law, we protect one another. That is how freedom endures, for everyone.
P.S. S.A. Crosby is one of my “new” favorite authors. I just read Blacktop Wasteland. Once again, Crosby writes a can’t put down crime thriller. Here, a former getaway driver tries to live within the law but is pulled back into crime in order to protect his family. Crosby’s writing is tight, and the question behind the story is whether we can ever escape our past.