Events celebrate First Amendment freedoms

In its 16th year, First Amendment Days has a packed schedule April 11-13. The events, organized by the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, celebrate the freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition. All events are free and open to the public.

The three-day celebration kicks off with a series of five "Depth and Dialogue" facilitated talks on Wednesday, April 11. John Whyte, constitutional law scholar and professor emeritus from Canada's University of Regina and Queen's University, will close out the day's events with his lecture, "Is Democracy Dying?" (7 p.m., Alliant Energy-Lee Liu Auditorium, Howe Hall).

Interactive events on central campus -- including a hashtag mosaic, "Democalypse" march, displays and demonstrations -- are among Thursday's activities. Greenlee School alum Paul Kix, now an author and deputy editor of ESPN The Magazine, will deliver the keynote lecture, "Talk is Cheap. Free Speech Isn't: Why the First Amendment is Worth It" (8 p.m., Benton Auditorium, Scheman Building).

The celebration wraps up on Friday with an awards presentation and a daylong workshop "designed to train campus and community leaders as First Amendment activists."

Inspired art

University Museums joined the celebration with an exhibit and series of April events related to the First Amendment. Through April 27, the "First Amendment" exhibit is on display in Morrill Hall's ReACT Gallery. It pairs works of fine art with labels -- interpretations and opinions of the First Amendment -- written in advance by students and scholars, and left behind by gallery visitors. The ReACT Gallery encourages interaction and engagement with its exhibits.

A pair of artmaking sessions also are planned on April 13, led by Ally Karsyn, arts producer for Siouxland Public Media, Sioux City. The ReACT Gallery will host a performance of "Out of the Fire: The Banned Books Monologues" on April 23, coinciding with a display of work inspired by free speech and created as part of an integrated studio arts class, "Collage, Assemblage and the Found Object" (ArtIS 305/505). The student exhibit also will be on display through April 27.

First Amendment Days Schedule

Wednesday, April 11

• 9 a.m., "Depth and Dialogue: Freedom and Respect," moderator John Whyte, University of Regina and Queen's University, Canada; and panelists Michael Norton, university counsel; Jonathan Sturm, Faculty Senate president; and Daniela Flores, graduate student in ecology, evolution and organismal biology, and president of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (169 Hamilton)
• 10 a.m., "Depth and Dialogue: Thinking Like a Journalist," Emily Barske, Iowa State Daily, and Erin Jordan, Cedar Rapids Gazette (172 Hamilton)
• 12:10 p.m., "Depth and Dialogue: Speaking Up About Workplace Harassment," Kirsten Anderson, former Iowa GOP Senate staffer (163 Hamilton)
• 1:10 p.m., "Depth and Dialogue: #metoo at ISU," Margo Foreman, equal opportunity office (172 Hamilton)
• 2:10 p.m., "Depth and Dialogue: Shedding Light on Mental Illness," panelists Kathie Obradovich, Des Moines Register columnist and Greenlee lecturer; and Scott Moss, senior in finance and organizer of ISU's "Out of the Darkness" suicide prevention awareness walk (172 Hamilton)
• 7 p.m., Lecture, "Is Democracy Dying?" John Whyte, University of Regina and Queen's University, Canada (Howe auditorium)

Thursday, April 12

• 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Hashtag mosaic and photo booth, contribute to the mosaic art by using #isufirst on Instagram and Twitter posts (central campus)
• 9:30 a.m., Democalypse March, experience life without the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment (meet on Curtiss steps)
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Feast on the First, Jimmy John's sandwiches, activities and demonstrations highlighting First Amendment freedoms (central campus)
• 2-4 p.m., Hashtag mosaic unveiling, souvenir prints and Insomnia cookies (central campus)
• 8 p.m., Lecture, "Talk is Cheap. Free Speech Isn't: Why the First Amendment is Worth It," Paul Kix, aESPN The Magazine (Scheman auditorium)

Friday, April 13

• 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., First Amendment Workshop, with instructors Gene Policinski, Newseum Institute; Andrea Frantz, Buena Vista University and Society of Collegiate Journalists; Mark Witherspoon, Iowa State Daily; and Julie Roosa, Greenlee School (Iowa State Daily, 2420 Lincoln Way), registration required
• 9 a.m., Awards presentation, Greenlee School and Kappa Tau Alpha Diversity and Inclusion Award winners Ally Karsyn, Siouxland Public Media; and Emily Blobaum, senior in journalism and mass communication, and Iowa State Daily managing editor of content (169 Hamilton)
• 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Artmaking, free expression art sessions led by Ally Karsyn, Siouxland Public Media (172 Hamilton and Morrill Hall ReACT Gallery, respectively)