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Friday, March 1, 2019

[EXCLUSIVE] "Multi-Community Charter of Rights and Freedoms"

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Update: 2022/06/26. Living With The Walking Dead exhibit in Museum of the Moving Image displayed the original document used on the show.
Updated 2020/07/26, with the help of the following, in the comments: JC Walking dead & xjumper65
Updated 2019/09/08, with the help of this TWD Season 10 promo
Originally Published: 2019/03/01

Some of you may have run across some bits and pieces from Michonne's Multi-Community Charter of Rights and Freedoms by ambitious bloggers who just wanted to be "first" out the gate. Admittedly, some of them have way more access to folks on the show, like show-runner Angela Kang, who explain the origins of some the wording we managed to glean from these blogs and interviews.
However, I spent an hour or so poring over still-frames, trying to garner as much as the human eye can muster from this elegantly crafted legal document. This content is not available anywhere else on the internet as far as I can tell! We also read through this, live, on last Wednesday night's podcast of [Episode 44]featuring SQUAWKING Carol; Chris, host of Beazt Mode NY DeadCast; and Talking Dead Ultimate Fan of 2018, Ashley Weidman.

So without further ado...
Taken at the Living With The Walking Dead exhibit at Museum of the Moving Image

Preamble

Any person who would live in peace and fairness, who would find common ground, this world is yours by right. We stand together for life, not death, in this new world. Together, we make this world bigger. The future is ours as we hold onto our faith in one another with everything we have. In order to consecrate our bond, we establish this Multi-Community Charter of Rights and Freedoms."

Article 1

We survived the end of the world. We are bonded together by the fellowship of the living. Because we know what happens to the dead, we believe we have the right to live as long as we can. We believe in the same for our loved ones, and any person who cares to join us.

We share the bond of  common mortality with all who would join us in peace and fairness.

Article 2

The days of fury are over. We believe every living person deserves to be treated fairly, as a person. This means no torture. No mistreatment. Solitary Confinement is prescribed as the ultimate sanction.

Article 3

The world is new again. The old ways are gone. We live with and love people who are different. We believe different things and have different backgrounds, and we celebrate that. We agree no one can be forced to change to make their neighbors comfortable. We are a community of equals.

Everyone has the right to be themselves. We did not make it this far so that any person who stands with us is looked down upon or hated for who they are, what they believe, or who they love. No one can be forced to pay tribute or worship another person, ever.

Article 4

We survived, but this is about more than survival. In the world we are consecrating, everyone has the right to think for themselves. The right to speak and be heard. There will be disagreements, but we will not allow them to become violent. We respect each other, and life, too much for that. We welcome others who join us in this belief.

It is self-evident to us that no one has a monopoly on truth or justice. We have seen what happens to those who think that way. We've seen what they do to others. There is no room for that now now. Any person who joins us must accept our belief in human dignity. We strive for unity, but accept differences.

Everyone has the right to leave and risk life on the road. But our communities reserve the right to decide who our members are. Any person of good conscience that leaves one community may petition to join another. Together, we are building a better world.

Article 5

Everyone gets due process. People are secure in their property and their persons. We own ourselves only. We know that living together means sacrifice, but these sacrifices are made knowingly and willingly and they are shared by all people of good faith. While we celebrate and cherish the rights of the individual, our general welfare comes first. Our survival brought us together to live in peace and harmony.
Screen grab from TWD Season 10 promo, released 2019/09/08

Article 6


Every community can
decide how they want to live. We decide how to share, how to serve, how to sacrifice, but every community should be self-sustaining. No community can be forced to pay tribute. We, the living, are in a league of friendship and will strive to solve our problems as friends. Our communities belong equally to their members. Our welfare and safety are our highest priorities.

We know that our differences can be resolved through dialogue and working together and forgiveness. We welcome all who would join us in this belief. If a general council is called, every community will send a representative to meet in a place to be determined. Each representative gets one vote.

Article 7

Beyond humanity and life itself, we share a common bond. We are infected with a virus that robs death of its dignity. We've seen what it does to loved ones, to friends, to family. We do not wish to join the ranks of the walking dead, but we know that one day we will unless corrective action is taken.

Once our lives have run their course, everyone has the inalienable right to be ended before turning. Whenever possible without the risk to life or limb, whoever can will end any newly deceased person who has lived among us to spare them this fate.

Article 8

Bound by a common trust, life, and our humanity, we are making the world new again. We are making the world bigger by collaborating and cooperating. We are helping one another and defending one another so that we can be safe. But this charter is not a suicide pact. No community can be forced to sacrifice supplies or people needed for self-preservation to save another. War will never be declared without joint agreement of all. Each community may opt-out if they are so able.

If war comes, or some other emergency threatens our joint or individual survival as communities, the above rights and freedoms can be suspended by a community's elected or appointed leadership until the danger has passed. This determination rests with the leadership whose sacred trust is the lives and welfare of us all.

Postamble

Created under the unanimous agreement of all the communities in this new world, with hope for our future and confidence that together we are stronger. Together, we survive and together we thrive. We construct this binding peace not just for ourselves but for future generations who have a right to this world. Under one common accord, we sign our names below:

         Alexandria {          Hilltop {          

Kingdom {          Oceanside {          Sanctuary {     


32 comments:

  1. First off...BRAVO for taking this task on!!! Can't imagine it was easy!
    So, now I am VERY curious as to why this was never signed. What happened!?

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    Replies
    1. SPEAKING OF LASIK! ...think i need it after this one...
      Yes, between the foreshadowing behind not showing "Oceanside & Sanctuary" in the first showing of the charter (COMPLETELY hidden by Zeke's shoulder) and both these communities not being around since the time jump...

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    2. It was signed by all the communities except for the sanctuary. Which is no longer the sanctuary since most of the saviors joined the other communities. It was signed in season 9 episode 15 titled the calm before

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  2. Replies
    1. Thank you! ...i feel like someone has a copy of this and the writer of that episode definitely has the full draft. If I get the whole of it, I will be creating a new post and updating this one with the full contents (with full markup of what I got wrong and what was missing)

      Delete
  3. I reached out to one of the directors on the show and he told me he does not have access to it because they have not started filming yet. He said my best bet would be to reach out to someone in the props department that they should have an answer. I reached out to a couple but have not had much luck with answering there. Maybe you will. That is the best lead I can give. Good luck because it has been killing me what articles 5,6,7 say. It showed it in the finale but you really could not make out the text to it. I wish they would post it online.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know, they mentioned the exact person who worked on this on Talking Dead, drafted the language and everything. 100% I'm following them on Instagram and I can probably get a response.
      This blog is in the triple digits in terms of views, which is enough for me to pursue this thing further!

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    2. Please do because I really want to see what it says. It's no where on the internet there is one other person that put one together had a few differences to it but for the most part it was the same. I'll keep my eyes open if I see something I'll post something here for you see if we can get this thing completed.

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    3. Was it last night's talking dead they said his name?

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    4. I have an update. I talking to a producer on the show and they and shared with me that they are not allowed to disclose what the actual document says. We have to do our best to figure it out but no one is allowed to talk about it yet I guess for some odd reason.

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    5. YO, thanks for reaching out. I'm hoping I can get in touch with the person who actually *drafted* the language of The Charter. I'm going to send him a link to this blog, since (and I just checked again) no one has been able to glean as much as I have, just from inspecting stills. I just need to make some time! I have a monster editing session from last night's podcast (a lot of undetectable-under-the-hood technical issues I have to resolve from that one). But after that, I'll have some more time to follow some leads I may have!
      THANK YOU for stoking the embers!

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  4. Talking dead episode 15 they gave a copy to the fan who asked the question. She holds it up but looks hard to make out. If you can have some more luck all the best but having trouble with it

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    Replies
    1. Well, I never DID get a hold of anyone; HOWEVER, I have JUST updated this post to include ALL 8 ARTICLES. It's a bit swiss-cheesed, but you'll definitely get the gist!!! We (kinda-sorta) DID IT!!

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  5. Based off the new promos, what you have written and someone else who attempted on Twitter I think I was able to put the most detailed together. Not too far off from where you came in. I'm still working on article 5, 6, and the second paragraph of 7. Everything else I have corrected. Once completed I'll be sure to sure I'm not giving up yet haha. Hopefully they release the rest of the document soon! Great job with this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THANKS FOR BELIEVING IN ME. Hah! ...It's nice to see someone as passionate as me about this!

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  6. After taking some serious time and looking at other promos I have it all done except for the second half of article 7. There is only one actual image I could find of it and it's a partial. If we can translate this I will have the entire thing done. I have all of 6 translated other than one sentence and it's about two words I can't figure out. We are close article 7 has to show up somewhere.

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  7. On my computer at home. I'll post what I have once I get there I'll just put a comment in or email it or something.

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  8. Article 5

    Everyone gets due process. People are secure in their property and their persons. We own ourselves only. We know that living together means sacrifices, but these sacrifices are made knowingly and willingly, and they are shared by all people of good faith. While we celebrate and cherish the rights of the individual, our general welfare comes first. Our survival brought us together to live in peace and harmony.


    This was a combo from what you had, the picture and watching the promo again it released the first half of you look at father Gabriel when it shows his face. That's 5

    ReplyDelete
  9. Here is what I have for article 6. What I put in parentheses is what I'm missing or unsure of.

    Every community can decide how they want to love. We decide how to share, how to serve, how to sacrifice, but every community should be self-sustaining. No community can be forced to pay (...), The living, are in a league of friendship and will strive to solve problems as needs. Our communities belong equally to their members. Our welfare and safety are amongst our highest priorities.

    We know that differences can be resolved through dialogue and working together and forgiveness (to all) who would join us in this belief. If a general council is called, every (community will provide) a representative to meet in a place to be determined. Each representative will vote.


    You can check these bit this is what I was able to pull for 5 and 6. If you find clarity on the ones in 6 I'm all ears I'm missing a sentence.

    ReplyDelete
  10. As far as 7 goes I only have the first part which I have:

    Beyond humanity and life itself, we share a common bond. We are infected by a virus that ruins death of it's dignity. We've seen what it does to loved ones, to friends, to family. We do not wish to join the ranks of the walking dead, but we know that one day we will unless corrective action is taken.

    Part 2 is unclear here is what I have:
    Once our lives have run their course, everyone has.... Whenever possible without risk to life or..... A deceased person who has lived among us to spare them....

    That's it and truly the last piece I'm missing.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Article 8

    Bound by a common trust, life and our humanity, we are making the world new again. We are making the world bigger by collaborating and cooperating. We are helping one another and defending one another so that we can be safe. But this charter is not a suicide pact. No community can be forced to sacrifice supplies or people needed for self-preservation to save another. War will never be declared without joint agreement of all. Each community may opt-out if they are so able.

    If war comes, or some other emergency threatens our joint or individual survival as communities, the above rights and freedoms can be suspended by a community’s elected or appointed leadership until the danger has passed. This determination rests with the leadership whose sacred trust in the lives and welfare of us all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YES, just saw the video for this, today -- is that where the last few comments came from? I was intending to go back and watch the few videos released that detail these, but it looks like you got it for me from them, right?

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  12. For whatever reason they released only a handful of articles. Maybe next week they will release more but for whatever reason this article 7 is a pain. Life would be easier if they could just release the entire thing. Yes the last few comments where from two places the videos they released and your picture you posted. However if you watch the video again there is another scene that shows the begining of each line that was missing in the picture you posted. Watch the promo again and when they show father Gabriel's face you can piece the rest together.


    The articles that were shown from the walking dead skipped over 5-7

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JC - I'm going to be going over our interactions and updating the articles, accordingly. PLEASE update your Blogger profile with your Social Media: we'd love to follow you! I would also like to alert you to xjumper65 (another helpful #TWDFamily, in the more recent comment) who helped me to correct one crucial word, right in the beginning. Hopefully, they will reach out and have more info, to follow!

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  13. As a student of political science for over 30 years, I've studied the US Constitution and the Constitution of many US States, as well other charters and founding documents from around the world more times than I can count. This gives me a very firm grasp of how these documents are crafted. I also know how Michonne thinks and speaks. As a lover of TWD, I have binge-watched the series many, many times. Additionally, before the premier of each new season, I re-watch all previous seasons in order. As such, I have a strong understanding of each character's "voice" as written by the screenwriters. For these reasons, I believe I can fill in many of the gaps in this charter with realistic and plausible verbiage which could be annotated so that the reader understands these are "educated guesses". More importantly though, I have noted what I believe are several valid corrections to your otherwise wonderful transcription. As proof of this, please refer to the second sentences of both Articles I and II and substitute the word "living" for the word "loving" and see if that makes more sense. If this convinces you that I can add value to your transcription of the TWD charter, please email me.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comment and interest in getting this thing buttoned up, so that we can all enjoy it! When originally examining the footage, I was using AMC Premiere. Going back to it more than a year later, attempting to glean its contents on Netflix, the quality is slightly worse. Since I can't go back to using AMC Premiere (the episode just isn't available, there) it would be hard to confirm.
      However, and this is a big however, I believe you are right. I've attempted to do a pause by pause | frame by frame analysis composite and it does appear that this word is "living". The MPEG4 noise blur and the way it is scripted make the 'i' and the 'v' appear connected, on first glance (the 'i' is short and the 'v' bends slightly over to the left).
      I'll be updating this with your help, crediting your blogger profile (please update it if you want people to follow you on Social Media - I would definitely like to, as well). You might also want to follow the last person who left a comment, as well: JC Walking dead (I'll be reaching out to have he/she update their profile, too)

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  14. Thank you for putting in the work and putting this together. I have always wondered what the official language was, and found it very interesting to read. I’m surprised this has not been released. This would make a cool wall piece to have framed. In the US NAVY, I was stationed on the U.S.S. CONSTITUTION, and got to expand on my knowledge of history. I bet those of us who love history, and TWD would want that on parchment paper...of course signed hanging on their wall. Again thank you for the work you put in for us to read.

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    Replies
    1. You are certainly welcome, B.C.! Really glad so many people have appreciated the hard work that when into this! It means a lot!

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  15. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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