By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare,
To die, and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.

–Ralph Waldo Emerson, Concord Hymn

In an homage to the mythical “shot heard ’round the world” enshrined in Emerson’s remembrance of the battles of Lexington and Concord that started the American Revolutionary War, The Springville Field and Stream Club, Springville, New York is promoting a symbolic act for tomorrow noon that they call “The Shot Heard Around New York State” to protest the NY SAFE Act:

“Embattled” farmers met at Concord Bridge to confront British regulars who had marched from Boston in the dark of night, in order to seize their firearms. There, they fired “The Shot Heard Round the World”. Patriots in Concord, New York will fire a symbolic shot at twelve noon, January 11th, 2014, to protest the 1st anniversary of the NYS “Safe Act” passed in the dark of night. This will be followed by other patriots throughout New York State firing their symbolic shots. All patriots will fire in a legal, safe manner.

The Springville Field and Stream Club, Springville, New York is asking all sportsman’s clubs in the state to spread the word about The Shot Heard throughout New York State. This is the club’s first project related to the repeal of the NY SAFE Act. We are asking that sportsman’s clubs e-mail the Springville Field and Stream Club with what they are doing to support this 2nd Amendment issue. The club is asking you to LIKE this event page to show your support and go to www.facebook.com/SpringvilleFieldAndStreamInc/events for more information. Remember to fire your shot in a legal and safe manner.

Interesting enough, while this is supposed to be a New Yorker’s protest of a New York problem, the group has pledges of participation from 2,000+ people in 25 states, “and counting” to fire a symbolic shot at noon.

While the event is purely symbolic in nature, it is touching that so many Americans in other parts of the county are choosing to participate.

E pluribus unum