Philadelphia, PA (April 11, 2023) – Today, the National Constitution Center released a lineup of new programming as part of its America’s Town Hall series of constitutional conversations and debates, hosted by the Center’s President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen. All programs are free to the public and will be held live online via Zoom and YouTube, and a select number will also be held live and in-person at the Center. The full list of programs, including registration information, is available HERE. All programs are open to the press.
This season’s thought-provoking programming kicks with a discussion featuring two state solicitors general, Ben Flowers of Ohio and Caroline Van Zile of Washington, D.C., exploring various approaches by the Supreme Court to constitutional interpretation and key doctrines presented in partnership with the National Association of Attorneys General Center for Excellence in Governance. Also in April, Tomiko Brown-Nagin and Elizabeth Cobbs join for a conversation on key influential women in American history, sponsored by the McNulty Foundation in partnership with the Anne Welsh McNulty Institute for Women’s Leadership at Villanova University.
Programming in May includes discussions on affirmative action with scholars Hasan Kwame Jeffries and William Allen, as well as a conversation on the controversial Supreme Court “shadow docket” with Stephen Vladeck, author of the new book The Shadow Docket: How the Supreme Court Uses Stealth Rulings to Amass Power and Undermine the Republic, and Jennifer Mascott of George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School.
World chess champion and political activist Garry Kasparov comes to the Center in June, alongside Zimbabwean pastor Evan Mawarire and others for discussion and debate regarding the state of free expression in America and abroad, presented in partnership with the Renew Democracy Initiative and the Center for Constitutional Design at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
Also in June, psychologist Ronnie Janoff-Bulman, political scientist Matthew Levendusky, and legal scholar Kenji Yoshino convene to explore the roots of America’s political divide and strategies for overcoming partisan gridlock. Retired Judge Bernice Donald joins Judge Amul Thapar, both of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, to discuss Thapar’s new book on Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Rounding out the month, a panel of libertarian and conservative scholars— J. Joel Alicea, Anastasia Boden, and Sherif Girgis—gather for an in-depth comparative look at originalism’s modern history and its application by current members of the Roberts Court.
July programming features Diana Schaub of the American Enterprise Institute, Thomas Pangle of The University of Texas at Austin, and Dennis Rasmussen of Syracuse University, as they explore Charles de Montesquieu’s impact on political thought and American democracy. Our spring and summer closes out with our annual Supreme Court review, presented in partnership with ADL, and features legal experts, Erwin Chemerinsky, Miguel Estrada, Gregory G. Garre, Frederick M. Lawrence, and Dahlia Lithwick, with Supreme Court reporter Amy Howe serving as moderator.
All programs are open to the press. Please RSVP to Moira Bagley Smith or via the program links below.
America’s Town Hall Spring/Summer 2023 Programming
Solicitors General and the Supreme Court
Tuesday, April 18 | 4:30 p.m.
Free In-Person and Online
The U.S. Supreme Court decides some of the most challenging and important constitutional and statutory issues facing America through its interpretive methodologies. Join a discussion exploring the various approaches to constitutional interpretation and key doctrines—including originalism, textualism, and the major questions doctrine—through the lens of recent Supreme Court cases with Solicitors General Ben Flowers of Ohio and Caroline Van Zile of Washington, D.C. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. A reception will take place following the program from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
This program is presented in partnership with the National Association of Attorneys General Center for Excellence in Governance.
Women and the American Idea
Tuesday, April 25 | 12 p.m.
Free Online
Join Tomiko Brown-Nagin, author of Civil Rights Queen: Constance Baker Motley and the Struggle for Equality, and Elizabeth Cobbs, author of Fearless Women: Feminist Patriots from Abigail Adams to Beyoncé for a conversation exploring key influential women throughout history and how these women inspired constitutional change. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
This program is made possible through the generous support of the McNulty Foundation in partnership with the Anne Welsh McNulty Institute for Women’s Leadership at Villanova University.
The Future of Affirmative Action
Thursday, May 4 | 7 p.m.
Free Online
The Supreme Court is about to decide two cases involving Harvard and the University of North Carolina that could end affirmative action in higher education. Join scholars William Allen of Michigan State University and Hasan Kwame Jeffries of The Ohio State University for a discussion of Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina and the future of affirmative action. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
The Shadow Docket Debate
Monday, May 22 | 12 p.m.
Free Online
The Supreme Court’s “shadow docket”—cases in which the Court issues emergency orders and summary decisions without oral argument—has been subject to growing scrutiny. Legal experts, including Jennifer Mascott of the George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School, join Stephen Vladeck of The University of Texas School of Law, for a conversation on Vladeck’s new book, The Shadow Docket: How the Supreme Court Uses Stealth Rulings to Amass Power and Undermine the Republic, exploring the history and role of the shadow docket and the current debates surrounding the Court’s emergency rulings. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
The State of Free Expression in the U.S. and Abroad
Monday, June 5 | 6:30 p.m.
Free In-Person and Online
Join free-speech advocates Garry Kasparov, former world chess champion, political activist, and chairman of the Renew Democracy Network; Evan Mawarire, Zimbabwean pastor and democratic activist; and others, as they discuss the state of free expression in the United States, Russia, Zimbabwe and around the world. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
This program is presented in partnership with the Renew Democracy Initiative and the Center for Constitutional Design at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
Deliberation and Democratic Norms in America
Tuesday, June 13 | 12 p.m.
Free Online
In today’s polarized political climate, how can Americans foster constructive conversations and compromise across the political spectrum to address the nation’s most pressing issues? Ronnie Janoff-Bulman, psychologist and author of The Two Moralities: Conservatives, Liberals, and the Roots of Our Political Divide; Matthew Levendusky, political scientist and author of Our Common Bonds: Using What Americans Share to Help Bridge the Partisan Divide; and Kenji Yoshino, legal scholar and author of Say the Right Thing: How to Talk About Identity, Diversity, and Justice, join for a conversation exploring the roots of America’s political divide, various strategies for overcoming partisan gridlock, and how and why to engage in difficult discussions to secure the future of democracy. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
Clarence Thomas and the Constitutional Stories That Define Him
Monday, June 19 | 12 p.m.
Free Online
Join Judge Amul Thapar and former Judge Bernice Donald, both of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, for a conversation on Thapar’s new book, The People’s Justice: Clarence Thomas and the Constitutional Stories that Define Him. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
The Modern History of Originalism
Wednesday, June 28 | 12 p.m.
Free Online
Join a panel of libertarian and conservative scholars—J. Joel Alicea of The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, Anastasia Boden of the Cato Institute, and Sherif Girgis of Notre Dame Law School—for an in-depth comparative look at the different strands of originalism as a constitutional methodology. They will also explore originalism’s modern history and application by current members of the Roberts Court through the examples of recent cases, and how originalism intersects with textualism and other interpretive approaches. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
Montesquieu and the Constitution
July 6 | 7 p.m.
Free Online
Described in The Federalist as “the celebrated Montesquieu,” Charles de Montesquieu was cited more often than any other author from 1760-1800. In what ways did his writings and ideas help shape the U.S. Constitution and the structure of American government? Join Diana Schaub of the American Enterprise Institute, Thomas Pangle of The University of Texas at Austin, and Dennis Rasmussen of Syracuse University, for a discussion on the political thought of Montesquieu and his influence on American democracy. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
2023 Annual Supreme Court Review
Thursday, July 13 | 12–1:30 p.m.
Free Online
The National Constitution Center and the Anti-Defamation League present an America’s Town Hall featuring legal experts Erwin Chemerinsky, Miguel Estrada, Gregory G. Garre, Frederick M. Lawrence, and Dahlia Lithwick to discuss the most significant decisions of the term, including cases on affirmative action, religious accommodation, social media regulation, voting rights, and more. Journalist Amy Howe moderates. ADL is seeking accreditation for 1.5 CLE credits for this program at no cost to attendees. CLE information is forthcoming.
This program is presented in partnership with ADL.
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About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a Headquarters for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire citizens and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
