The Shoreline League of Democratic Women (SLDW) presents a panel discussion titled “A Forum: First Amendment Challenges Today” on Thursday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m., at the Guilford Free Library, 67 Park Street on the Guilford Green. The event will be free and open to the public.
The three special guests participating on the panel will be Candace Clement – campaign director for Free Press and Free Press Action Fund; Susan Campbell – columnist, lecturer and author; and Andy Schatz – American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut Board President.
In 2017, challenges to free speech and free press from the highest levels of government are stirring up controversy across the political spectrum. In an effort to counter the fight over Internet Neutrality, attacks against journalists and efforts to limit public protest, citizens and the media are drawing on the power of the First Amendment to bolster these core principles of our democracy.
The distinguished panel will discuss the beloved and enduring Constitutional Amendment that enables speech, expression, publication and the free flow of information. The forum aims to help citizens gain a better understanding of the fundamental tenets of the First Amendment and what is at stake at this time in history.
Guest panelist Candace Clement is the Campaign Director for Free Press and the Free Press Action Fund, a national, non-profit advocacy organization that focuses on media and technology policy and fights for Citizen Rights to connect and communicate.
Susan Campbell is a distinguished lecturer at the University of New Haven’s Department of Communication, Film and Media Studies. She is also a newspaper columnist, and a contributor to the political website, The Hill.
Since 2010, Andy Schatz has been board president of the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut. His legal career spanned over 30+ years in private law practice. While at Harvard Law School, he was an editor of the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review.
The views and opinions expressed during this presentation do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the SLDW.
For more information about this event, call 860-399-1147 or visit www.SLDW.org. The SLDW has membership in the towns of Clinton, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, Lyme, Old Lyme, Centerbrook, Essex, Ivoryton, Deep River, Chester, Killingworth, Madison, Guilford and Branford.
The Shoreline League of Democratic Women is a social and political fellowship that unites Democratic women along theshoreline, and focuses on issues important to women of all ages. Women are encouraged to join the SLDW and participate in the organization’s valuable work in the community. Participation may be 30 minutes a month, or 30 minutes a year. As a part of the SLDW educational charter, members will be notified of important pending state and national legislation.
For more information on the Shoreline League of Democratic Women, send email [email protected] or contact Belinda Jones at 860-3.99-1147. For more information about SLDW events and organization, visit the SLDW web site at http://www.SLDW.org.