ACS Video Archives
"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.
Retaliation Claims Under the Civil Rights Laws: Three Cases Reach the Supreme Court
On February 12, 2008, ACS hosted a press briefing on three cases currently before the Supreme Court. The cases address the protections workers receive under the civil rights laws against retaliation by their employers when they complain of discrimination. Two of the cases are scheduled for argument this month.
The American Prosecutor: Power, Discretion and Accountability
On October 26, 2007, ACS and the Washington College of Law at American University held an exciting one-day conference on prosecutorial power. Chaired by Professor Angela J. Davis, the conference was entitled "The American Prosecutor: Power, Discretion and Accountability."
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Where Do We Go From Here? Destruction of the CIA Interrogation Tapes and Oversight of the War on Terror
ACS hosted a panel discussion on issues surrounding the destruction of the CIA interrogation tapes whose existence was revealed in December 2007. The panel, convened on Friday, January 25, 2008, discussed a number of legal and policy questions, among them:
- Whether a major Congressional investigation of the intelligence agencies is warranted.
- Whether there is an inherent conflict of interest in appointing a federal prosecutor to oversee the DOJ's investigation into the CIA interrogation videotapes' destruction.
- Whether the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission regarding Congress's oversight of the intelligence agencies are applicable.
- Whether there is sufficient discussion of the context in which the tapes were destroyed and the potential criminal offenses they would have revealed.
The panel featured:
The Supreme Court and the Indiana Voter ID Law
On January 3, 2008, ACS hosted a press briefing on the Supreme Court cases, Crawford v. Marion County Election Board and Indiana Democratic Party v. Rokita, both of which concern the constitutionality of an Indiana statute mandating that in-person voters produce government-issued photo identification. Experts from a variety of perspectives discussed the justification for the Indiana law, the burden that it may place on potential voters, the standard for reviewing the law, and the possible impact of a Court decision on future voting rights challenges. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral argument on these cases on January 9th.
