In London

From this house in London, Benjamin Franklin worked to avoid a revolution, and reconcile the American colonies and the British government from 1757 and 1774. This building at 36 Craven Street is the only house he lived in that still exists today. From his rooms on the second floor, he pursued diplomacy to its furthest extent, eventually realizing that no one willingly relinquishes their power and fortune.

250 years later, individuals with “unbounded fortunes” continue to pursue power at the expense of our liberty. They wage wars, call military forces into our cities to threaten and kill citizens, and seek to destroy our access to representative government by gerrymandering, voter restriction and intimidation.

Benjamin Franklin was open minded, valued progress, and invested in the common good. He was a tradesman, a diplomat, a scientist, an inventor, an enslaver, and later a staunch abolitionist. In 1776 there was both extreme injustice, and a vision for a future of freedom and progress. 250 years later, will we recommit to injustice or to freedom? Will we abandon the progress won by past generations, or will we continue to fight for every American's right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?

Your Humble Servant,

Silence Dogood