ThoughtGallery.org > Debate Defends Democracy | Program 1: Democracy in a Time of Crisis

Debate Defends Democracy | Program 1: Democracy in a Time of Crisis

Debate Defends Democracy is a virtual discussion of Constitutional issues and the Bill of Rights presented by the Conservancy at Federal Hall. Federal Hall, on Wall Street in New York City, is the site where George Washington was inaugurated, the First Congress met, and the Bill of Rights was enacted for ratification by the states. Fundamental Constitutional issues about individual liberties and the power of government that the Founders sought to resolve in 1789-90 when New York City was the capital of the United States have renewed urgency today.

Launching in a Zoom format in June, Debate Defends Democracy will continue throughout the year with clusters of programs that delve into a broad range of Constitutional issues through the lens of history. The series is produced in partnership with New York University.

The first program will explore how Constitutional questions regarding federal authority, states’ rights, and First Amendment guarantees of freedom of assembly and religion during the COVID pandemic (and prior pandemics) are stressing our democratic values. The discussion will continue into the expanding crisis around racial injustice and executive power that is roiling the country as we head into an election season during a time of intense strain.

Series moderator John Avlon is both a journalist and noted historian. His “Reality Check” segment is a regular feature on CNN’s “New Day.” Among the books he has authored is Washington’s Farewell: The Founding Father’s Warning to Future Generations.

REGISTER FOR THIS ZOOM EVENT

A Zoom link and instructions for logging into the discussion will be sent via email two days prior to the event.

Panelists include:

    • John M. Barry is an historian and New York Times best-selling author of The Great Influenza: The story of the deadliest pandemic in history, a study of the 1918 pandemic that killed 50 to 100 million people worldwide. The National Academies of Sciences named it the year’s best book on science or medicine. Since 2004 Mr. Barry has worked on pandemic preparedness with the Bush and Obama White Houses and other government entities, and was the only non-scientist on a federal Infectious Disease Board of Experts. He is also a professor at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.
    • Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. is chair of the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University and former president of the Amerian Academy of Religion. Professor Glaude’s most well-known books are Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul, which has been described as “one of the most imaginative, daring books of the twenty-first century,” and In a Shade of Blue: Pragmatism and the Politics of Black America. They take a wide look at black communities and reveal complexities, vulnerabilities, and opportunities for hope.
    • Michael Waldman is president of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, a nonpartisan law and policy institute that focuses on improving systems of democracy and justice. It is a leading national voice on voting rights, money in politics, criminal justice reform, and constitutional law. Mr. Waldman, a constitutional lawyer and writer who is an expert on the presidency and American democracy, has led the Center since 2005. A former speechwriter and policy coordinator for President Clinton he has drafted four State of the Union addresses. He is also an author of acclaimed books on voting and the Second Amendment.

The 45-minute panel discussion will be followed by a 15-minute Q&A.

Program registrants are invited to submit written questions both in advance and during the program.











When: Tue., Jun. 16, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Where: NYU (Other)
Washington Square Area
212-998-1212
Price: Free
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Debate Defends Democracy is a virtual discussion of Constitutional issues and the Bill of Rights presented by the Conservancy at Federal Hall. Federal Hall, on Wall Street in New York City, is the site where George Washington was inaugurated, the First Congress met, and the Bill of Rights was enacted for ratification by the states. Fundamental Constitutional issues about individual liberties and the power of government that the Founders sought to resolve in 1789-90 when New York City was the capital of the United States have renewed urgency today.

Launching in a Zoom format in June, Debate Defends Democracy will continue throughout the year with clusters of programs that delve into a broad range of Constitutional issues through the lens of history. The series is produced in partnership with New York University.

The first program will explore how Constitutional questions regarding federal authority, states’ rights, and First Amendment guarantees of freedom of assembly and religion during the COVID pandemic (and prior pandemics) are stressing our democratic values. The discussion will continue into the expanding crisis around racial injustice and executive power that is roiling the country as we head into an election season during a time of intense strain.

Series moderator John Avlon is both a journalist and noted historian. His “Reality Check” segment is a regular feature on CNN’s “New Day.” Among the books he has authored is Washington’s Farewell: The Founding Father’s Warning to Future Generations.

REGISTER FOR THIS ZOOM EVENT

A Zoom link and instructions for logging into the discussion will be sent via email two days prior to the event.

Panelists include:

    • John M. Barry is an historian and New York Times best-selling author of The Great Influenza: The story of the deadliest pandemic in history, a study of the 1918 pandemic that killed 50 to 100 million people worldwide. The National Academies of Sciences named it the year’s best book on science or medicine. Since 2004 Mr. Barry has worked on pandemic preparedness with the Bush and Obama White Houses and other government entities, and was the only non-scientist on a federal Infectious Disease Board of Experts. He is also a professor at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.
    • Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. is chair of the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University and former president of the Amerian Academy of Religion. Professor Glaude’s most well-known books are Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul, which has been described as “one of the most imaginative, daring books of the twenty-first century,” and In a Shade of Blue: Pragmatism and the Politics of Black America. They take a wide look at black communities and reveal complexities, vulnerabilities, and opportunities for hope.
    • Michael Waldman is president of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, a nonpartisan law and policy institute that focuses on improving systems of democracy and justice. It is a leading national voice on voting rights, money in politics, criminal justice reform, and constitutional law. Mr. Waldman, a constitutional lawyer and writer who is an expert on the presidency and American democracy, has led the Center since 2005. A former speechwriter and policy coordinator for President Clinton he has drafted four State of the Union addresses. He is also an author of acclaimed books on voting and the Second Amendment.

The 45-minute panel discussion will be followed by a 15-minute Q&A.

Program registrants are invited to submit written questions both in advance and during the program.

Buy tickets/get more info now