First Things First:Applying the First Amendment in the Trump Era

Please join the Louisville Chapter of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, the Kentucky Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society, and The ACLU of Kentucky for a debate between P. Andrew Torrez, co-host of the podcast Opening Arguments, and Justin Walker, Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law for a debate on a variety of First Amendment topics including several pending federal and Kentucky court cases and legislation relating to religious liberty. The debate topics will include:

· Whether a cross-shaped World War I memorial that is maintained by the State of Maryland violates the First Amendment;
· Whether a coach’s public prayer following a sporting event that students are permitted but not explicitly invited to join violates the First Amendment;
· Whether legislation allowing scholarship tax credits violates the First Amendment or the Kentucky Constitution;
· Whether a requirement that “In God We Trust” is prominently displayed in every public school violates the First Amendment; and
· Whether a T-shirt printer violates a local fairness ordinance by refusing to print a shirt in support of Pride Day.

Kate Miller, Advocacy Director for The ACLU of Kentucky, will serve as moderator.

A pizza buffet will be provided at 5:30. The debate will start promptly at 6:30.