ACS Video Archives
'Lawrence v. Texas' Five Years Out: Looking Forward On Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
On April 11, 2008, ACS and Lambda Legal, along with the Georgia Lawyer Chapter of ACS and the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia, presented a symposium hosted at Emory Law School by the Emory ACS Student Chapter and Emory EGALA on “Lawrence v. Texas Five Years Out: Can The Promises Of Liberty And Equality Be Fulfilled?” The event was a lively discussion on key constitutional and legal issues affecting the equality, liberty and daily lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
The second panel of the day was: “Looking Forward On Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: Where Should The Law Go From Here?”
The panel featured:
'Lawrence v. Texas' Five Years Out: Looking Back At Decision Day and The Past Five Years
On April 11, 2008, ACS and Lambda Legal, along with the Georgia Lawyer Chapter of ACS and the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia, presented a symposium hosted at Emory Law School by the Emory ACS Student Chapter and Emory EGALA on “Lawrence v. Texas Five Years Out: Can The Promises Of Liberty And Equality Be Fulfilled?” The event was a lively discussion on key constitutional and legal issues affecting the equality, liberty and daily lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
'Lawrence v. Texas' Five Years Out: Keynote Address by Paul Smith
On April 11, 2008, ACS and Lambda Legal, along with the Georgia Lawyer Chapter of ACS and the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia, presented a symposium hosted at Emory Law School by the Emory ACS Student Chapter and Emory EGALA on “Lawrence v. Texas Five Years Out: Can The Promises Of Liberty And Equality Be Fulfilled?” The event was a lively discussion on key constitutional and legal issues affecting the equality, liberty and daily lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
The Convention on Racial Discrimination: What Does It Means for U.S. Policy?
ACS hosted a briefing examining the ongoing discussion about, and potential federal legislative implication of, United States compliance with an international agreement on racial discrimination. The agreement is known as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD). Panelists at May 9, 2008 briefing, including experts who participated in the recent proceedings in Geneva, described CERD and the CERD compliance process, discuss the CERD Committee's findings and recommendations, and explored the role that Congress could play to address U.S. compliance with CERD.
"The Summer of 1787: The Men Who Invented the Constitution"
On April 28, 2008, the American Constitution Society and its Washington, D.C. Lawyers Chapter hosted a book signing for, and a discussion of, The Summer of 1787: The Men Who Invented the Constitution. The event included a conversation between the author, Washington, D.C. attorney David O. Stewart, and Paul M. Smith, ACS Board of Directors Chair and partner at Jenner & Block LLP, as well as questions and answers from the audience. Stewart and Smith delved into the fascinating subject of Stewart's new book on the personalities behind the creation of the nation's founding document.
2008 Election Year Summit: Judicial Elections and Judicial Independence
On April 18, 2008, the American Constitution Society and the American Bar Association Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities, as well as state and local bar associations, hosted a day-long conference on the pressing issues of civil rights, civil liberties and social justice being debated during the 2008 election season. A complete program of the event is available here.
The summit closed with an afternoon plenary session on judicial elections and judicial independence. The panel featured:
2008 Election Year Summit: Individual Rights in the Next Four Years
On April 18, 2008, the American Constitution Society and the American Bar Association Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities, as well as state and local bar associations, hosted a day-long conference on the pressing issues of civil rights, civil liberties and social justice being debated during the 2008 election season. A complete program of the event is available here.
A morning plenary session provided an overview of the issues to be discussed during the day, and the impact of the upcoming election on individual rights issues.The panel featured:
The State Secrets Privilege: Time for Reform?
On April 4, 2008, ACS hosted a panel discussion of the state secrets privilege in light of executive assertions of the privilege and congressional consideration of legislation to statutorily define the privilege. Experts from a variety of perspectives explored issues Congress should consider as it weighs bipartisan reform legislation, including whether the state secrets privilege is being properly invoked and the appropriate balance of national security concerns with meaningful access to justice.
The Second Amendment in the Supreme Court
On March 13, 2008, ACS hosted a press briefing on the Supreme Court case, District of Columbia v. Heller, which concerns the constitutionality of the District of Columbia’s ban on the private possession of handguns. Experts from a variety of perspectives discussed whether the Second Amendment protects only militia-related rights or the rights of private individuals, the appropriate standard for reviewing gun control legislation and the potential legal and policy implications of the first Court decision in this area in 68 years. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral argument on this case on March 18, 2008.
Promoting Political Participation: A Conversation Among State Legislators
On February 25, ACS hosted a panel of state legislators that discussed proposals and developments in their states designed to expand voting rights and increase participation in the electoral process. The panelists discussed real-world models and cutting-edge ideas of how to further the promise of democracy.
