Sandwiched In with James Coll - Free Speech and the Constitution

“Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech…”

Despite the absolutist wording of the amendment excerpted above, the Supreme Court ruled in a 1919 decision that free speech does not “protect a man in falsely shouting fire in a theater and causing a panic.”  As a consequence, the government routinely makes laws preventing people from speaking or expressing themselves in every instance without recourse.  So if free speech is not an absolute right then when are government restrictions permitted?  Join Professor James Coll for an informative lecture, where he will explore other examples of restrictions on free speech and other landmark Supreme Court decisions to analyze the challenge of balancing this important civil liberty and public safety in America. James Coll is an adjunct professor of American and Constitutional history at Nassau Community College.  He has written numerous articles for Politico, The Hill, City Journal and Newsday among other periodicals.  This program is part of the Library's month long exploration of the topics of censorship and freedom of expression.  (Sponsored by the Friends of the Library)

Please note this will be a hybrid event.  Participants are invited to join us in person or virtually over Zoom.

CLICK HERE to register for in-person attendance

CLICK HERE to register for Zoom attendance.