 |
The Supreme Court, Free Speech and Democracy: Is unchaining election speech by corporations (and unions) a looming disaster--or a good thing?
Expert Advocates and Audience Q&A was Hosted by ACLU of the Nation's Capital and Sixth & I Historic Synagogue |
|  The American Civil Liberties Union of the Nation’s Capital
Presents A Public Forum at The Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Allowing Corporations (and Unions) to Urge Election or Defeat of Political Candidates: Free Speech or Threat to Democracy? | The Supreme Court recently ruled, in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, that the First Amendment protects the rights of corporations and labor unions to spend their money on independent advocary for the election or defeat of political candidates in federal elections. That decision re-energized the debate between those who think that a healthy democracy is best achieved through freedom of speech for all and those who think it is best achieved by curbing election-related speech by corporations and unions. New laws and even constitutional amendments have been proposed to overcome the court’s ruling. Please join us for a fascinating debate and discussion among four unsually qualified and exceptionally able advocates on both sides of this vital question, followed by Questions & Answers with the audience. |  | Ira Glasser was the Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union from 1978 to 2001, leading its growth into a powerful nationwide organization. He is currently President of the Board of Directors of the Drug Policy Alliance, and is the author of Visions of Liberty: The Bill of Rights for All Americans (1991). | | Ira Glasser, Author & Past Executive Director, National ACLU |  | Jamin Raskin is a Professor of Law and Director of the Law and Government Program at the Washington College of Law (American University). He is a member of the Maryland State Senate representing Silver Spring and Takoma Park, and is the author of Overruling Democracy: The Supreme Court versus the American People (2003). | | Jamin Raskin, Author/Litigator, Maryland State Senator & AU Law Prof |  | Laurence E. Gold is Associate General Counsel of the AFL-CIO and Of Counsel at Lichtman, Trister & Ross, PLLC. He argued before the Supreme Court on behalf of the AFL-CIO in McConnell v. Federal Election Commission and filed a brief on its behalf in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. | | Laurence Gold, National AFL-CIO Counsel & Campaign Finance Litigator |  | John C. Brittain is a Professor of Law at the University of the District of Columbia’s David A. Clarke School of Law. Previously Chief Counsel of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Dean of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, he has also been President of the National Lawyers Guild and a member of the ACLU’s National Board of Directors. | | John Brittain, Past Chief Counsel, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Righta & UDC Law Prof | Unshackling Speech about Candidates by Corporations (and Unions): Free Speech or Threat to Democracy? Thursday, April 29, 2010
7:00-9:00 P.M.
at the
Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
600 I Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Free Admission
| | RSVP by email or phone to Beverly at the ACLU-NCA (202)457-0800, ext. 121. | |
|
