The American Bar Association (ABA) is keying in on freedom during the Washington, D.C. event with a number of programs and discussions, according to the legal trade group. Among the features of Law Day will be the release of a new ABA Survey of Civic Literacy, interviews with ABA President Bob Carlson and Jane Sánchez, the congressional law librarian, and a conversation featuring Annandale High School students and CNN White House reporter Jim Acosta, who attended the Virginia high school. The survey will gauge public support for First Amendment protections and knowledge of the Constitution and law, according to information from the ABA.
“Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are widely regarded as foundations for a free society,” said Carlson in a statement. “The 2019 Law Day theme focuses attention on these fundamental freedoms. It calls on us to protect these rights and to secure these blessings of liberty.”
The Leon Jaworski Public Program, also part of day’s events, will allow panelists to discuss “The Marketplace of Ideas in an Era of Fake News,” according to the event itinerary.
ABA Survey of Civic Literacy Takes a Broad Look at American’s Thoughts on Freedom
On Law Day, the ABA will announce the results of its first-ever Survey of Civic Literacy. Questions about the First Amendment, Supreme Court and citizenship are among some of the topics covered in the examination of the public’s knowledge of law.
Carlson, Gene Policinski, president of the Freedom Forum Institute and Chief Judge Roger L. Gregory of the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, will discuss the survey results. “American democracy cannot succeed without an informed citizenry,” said Carlson. “It is vital that everyone share the same basic knowledge about the foundations of our democracy – the rule of law – and our rights and responsibilities.”
State University System of Florida Examines Role of 'Free Expression'
The State University System of Florida, along with 12 post secondary schools, recently took steps to encourage open discourse with a tact of its own, according to the school system.
“The principles of freedom of speech and freedom of expression in the United States and Florida Constitutions, in addition to being legal rights, are an integral part of our three-part university mission to deliver a high quality academic experience for our students, engage in meaningful and productive research, and provide valuable public service for the benefit of our local communities and the stat,” reads a statement announcing a pact not to stifle free speech on campus.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed the measure, similar to one signed by the University of Chicago, and requested the schools sign on to the initiative, according to information from the Daily Business Review. According to the University System, institutions of higher learning have a fundamental job to provide “divergent” idea and opinions.
“Through this process, often referred to as the marketplace of ideas, individuals are free to express any ideas and opinions they wish, even if others may disagree with them or find those ideas and opinions to be offensive or otherwise antithetical to their own world view,” read the announcement. “ … It is equally important not to stifle the dissemination of any ideas, even if other members of our community may find those ideas abhorrent.”
Challenging ideas, even when uncomfortable, is ultimately part of the educational process. Civility and respect, according to the announcement, are not enough to stymie expression. “We should empower and enable one another to speak and listen, rather than interfere with or silence the open expression of ideas."