The Landscape of the First Amendment: From the Civil Rights Era to Today

Join us for learning and conversation.

Lee Rowland, Director of the National Coalition Against Censorship, will give a talk about the evolution of the First Amendment – from a once-overlooked constitutional right to the powerhouse it is today. She will discuss the First Amendment’s critical role in the Civil Rights movement – and the reciprocal impact that civil rights plaintiffs made on the evolving First Amendment. Rowland will trace the importance of our First Amendment to the history and health of our democracy and civic discourse, and ask us all whether that role is intact today in a polarized, digital age. Has the arc of the First Amendment brought us closer to justice?  Lee will present for approximately 45 minutes, to be followed by a Q&A with participants.

This is a VIRTUAL EVENT. A Zoom Link and Calendar Invite will be sent to registered guests before the event. Please be certain to check your email for joining details.

About the Speaker

Lee Rowloand is the Executive Director of the National Coalition Against Censorship, where she oversees NCAC’s direct program work, legal and government advocacy, and public education. She also runs the Free Expression Network, a collaboration that brings together dozens of free expression advocates and organizations for regular strategy and information-sharing. Lee has extensive experience as a litigator, professor, and public speaker. Lee has been a First Amendment litigator for two decades, serving as a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU’s New York and Nevada state affiliates, and the Brennan Center for Justice; she has also taught course in free expression at NYU Law and CUNY’s Hunter College’s Human Rights Program.  As Policy Director of the NY ACLU for over five years, Lee is also a seasoned lobbyist and advocate for a range of civil liberties and free speech positions, and helped draft and pass NY’s recent Equal Rights Amendment. Lee lives in Brooklyn and is addicted to Tetris. 

This event is co-hosted by Media Fellowship House and Media Area NAACP.