Teach-in on Civil Rights, Civil Liberties, and the Rule of Law

Teach-in on Civil Rights, Civil Liberties, and the Rule of Law — with David Cole, Skye Perryman, Rep. Jamie Raskin, and Kelley Robinson – moderated by CUNY Law Professor Ally Coll — at Conn Ave

Politics and Prose is hosting the first in a planned series of discussions meant to keep our community informed and engaged during this exceptional period in our nation’s political history.

With the help of a distinguished group of panelists, this initial event will examine the recent challenges to individual rights and liberties posed by some early Trump administration actions. These include the effort to undo birthright citizenship, expel massive numbers of immigrants, roll back LGBTQ+ protections, and eradicate initiatives promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. The panel also will explore how traditional norms are being discarded and the rule of law eroded by extensive attacks on the administrative state, bold assertions of executive power, disregard for congressional mandates, and questioning of judicial authority.

In addition to elaborating on these developments, the discussion will suggest ways for people to act on their concerns. How, for instance, can citizens ensure existing legal precedents are enforced effectively? What new mechanisms might be developed to better protect the civil rights and civil liberties currently under threat? What can we all do–as lawyers and non-lawyers alike–to come together as a community and stand up for the principles that motivate and define us as Americans?

Politics and Prose is calling these events “teach-ins,” echoing the teach-ins of the 1960s that provided a foundation for education and tools for action during the civil rights and anti-war movements. They hope these sessions will serve a similar purpose in these times.