ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice 93d ago

Welcome to the second day of CRSJ's Civil Rights Boot Camp 2.0. Contact CRSJ@americanbar.org for details & how to get involved! -- In an era of growing political polarization, teachers and students are increasingly facing novel First Amendment issues. This session examines how attorneys can engage in protecting the rights of students and educators from censorship and retaliation from expressing views that challenge dominant narratives. Panelists will explore issues such as compelled disclosures of students’ LGBTQ+ identities, school-based discipline for private speech, the impact on educators’ and students’ religious expression on inclusion, book bans and curriculum mandates, and efforts to stifle discourse in the classroom. This discussion will highlight key constitutional doctrines, recent litigation trends and Supreme Court decisions, and practical advice for pursuing justice in courtrooms, boardrooms, and classrooms. From litigation to policy advocacy, amicus work to administrative complaints, to collaborating with community organizations and serving on boards of education, attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of what the emerging First Amendment and related civil rights issues are facing educational spaces and how lawyers can address them. Sam Boyd – Senior Supervising Attorney, Democracy: Education & Youth Litigation Team, Southern Poverty Law Center Maya Brodziak – Senior Counsel, Educational Opportunities Project, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Eva DuBuisson – Education Law Partner, Tharrington Smith S. Collins Saint (Moderator) – Education and Litigation Attorney, The Third Thread -- CRSJ's Civil Rights Boot Camp is a two-day, virtual summit that serves as a comprehensive resource for young lawyers, law students, public service attorneys, and advocates of all backgrounds. This initiative, led by the Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice, aims to provide the essential tools and training needed to practice civil rights law effectively.