Two representatives from the Central New York Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union (CNYCLU) will visit on Friday, September 16, to speak in a forum to be held in observance of Constitution Day.
The panel discussion, "The U.S. Constitution: From the War on Communism to the War on Terrorism," by CNYCLU executive director Barrie Gewanter and board member Tanweer Haq, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Park Hall Auditorium. A reception and question-and-answer session will follow. Free and open to the public, the event recognizes Constitution Day, which is held every September to commemorate the 1787 signing of the U.S. Constitution.
In their discussion, Gewanter and Haq will address the significance of constitutional doctrine during the Cold War era of the 1950s and the current war on terrorism. They will pay particular attention to First Amendment rights and equal protection for minority groups.
"In honor of the 50th anniversary of the School of Humanities and Sciences at Ithaca College, the Departments of Politics and Sociology have worked with the Office of the Provost to create an educational program that explores two kinds of constitutional issues that were very important 50 years ago and continue to be significant today," says Beth Harris, assistant professor of politics. "Constitution Day provides us with an important opportunity to examine how constitutional interpretation shapes the forms of governmental discrimination that are permitted and prohibited."
As executive director of the CNYCLU, Gewanter is the regional contact for the American Civil Liberties Union. She also serves as coordinator for the Syracuse Bill of Rights Defense Campaign. She played key roles in the implementation of same-sex domestic partner benefits at Syracuse University and the passage of a living wage law in Syracuse.
The past president of the Islamic Society of Central New York, Haq currently serves on the board of the InterReligious Council of Central New York. He is a mechanical engineer and a 20-year resident of LaFayette, New York.
For more information contact Beth Harris at (607) 274-3517.
In addition, you can challenge your knowledge and understanding of the U.S. Constitution by visiting the College library's interactive site:
Test your Constitutional IQ
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20050909171058916