The mission of the American Bar Association's Division for Public Education is to advance public understanding of law and its role in society.
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The nation’s founders created the judiciary as an independent, co-equal branch of government to make sure it is protected from outside political influences. The ABA is committed to upholding the Constitution, the judicial process and equal justice under the law. Learn more at: https://bit.ly/4nps1iP
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How do we create change locally in 2026? Last month, I had the opportunity to engage with four incredible organizations in one jam-packed week, Points of Light, Raben, CoGenerate, and Freedom Forum, around one question: What does it look like for people of all ages to show up for their communities at this moment, and what does that mean for our country's future? After another incredible Points of Light Board Meeting, I had the honor of presenting the 8,356th Daily Point of Light Award to Bob and Mary Ellen Dawley, whose photography and filmmaking have strengthened Volunteer Fairfax's impact for years. Their story is a reminder that lasting community change is built by volunteers who quietly dedicate their time and talents to others. Across our Global Network of more than 120 affiliates in 32 countries, over 4 million people benefit from that same spirit of service every year. Later in the week, I joined Raben's Democracy House programming focused on the U.S. 250th for a conversation titled "We Are Who Shapes What Comes Next." I'm grateful to Jamal Simmons for moderating and to my fellow panelists Tony Polcari and Brittany Packnett Cunningham for such a thoughtful discussion. Thank you as well to Sarah F. Weatherby, Robert Raben, and Grace Carmichael for the invitation and hospitality. I also had the chance to spend time with Eunice Lin Nichols and Marci Alboher from CoGenerate, where we led a session on the power of intergenerational volunteering. Drawing on more than 25 years of examples, we explored how communities are stronger when older and younger people work alongside one another. It was especially great to reconnect with friends like John Minkler, Season Eckardt, and Steven Culbertson, while meeting new ones like Michael Nelson and Amy Miller-Taylor. The week wrapped up with Freedom Forum's Free Expression Awards, celebrating those who champion our First Amendment freedoms. After seeing the impact of Freely Fest earlier this year, it was inspiring to gather with so many people committed to protecting free expression. I was especially glad to attend with Kanika Mehra and reconnect with friends including Josh Kirschenbaum, Tom Silverman, Radhika Fox, Dani Neuharth-Keusch, Jonathan Thompson, and Andrea Reidell. This week left me with a lot of hope. At a time when AI is reshaping work and human connection, political polarization continues to divide communities, and debates over surveillance and free expression are becoming increasingly urgent, it would be easy to focus only on what's broken. Instead, I spent the week with people who are investing in volunteers, strengthening democracy, bridging generations, and protecting our freedoms. They reminded me of the good work being done across the country and the possibilities that come when we build solutions in our own communities.
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The Trump administration is asking #SCOTUS to put back into effect its executive order giving the USPS more control over mail-in voting. Today's bonus "One First" explains why this is a purely procedural dispute at this juncture (about the plaintiffs' standing and ripeness)—albeit one the government should still lose: https://lnkd.in/dXM3fcBw
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#OnThisDay in 1868, the 14th Amendment was ratified, marking a major milestone for African Americans in the aftermath of the Civil War. Yet the promise of “due process” and “equal protection under the law” remains unfinished. The fight for justice and equality continues today.
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The Trump playbook for sowing doubt in our elections while attempting to manipulate the process is coming into focus. The latest edition of my newsletter explains why this effort has largely failed, Campaign Legal Center's role in this fight, and what this means for the midterm elections.
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Civics education matters.
Personal attacks against judges are unacceptable.
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🏫 A New Opportunity for Illinois Middle Schools Become an Illinois Democracy School Recognize the outstanding work your school is already doing while strengthening student voice, inquiry, civic learning, and belonging. Participating schools receive: ⭐ Statewide Recognition 🤝 Individualized Coaching & Support 📚 Professional Learning 💰 Grant-Funded Resources 📊 School Feedback Tools 🌐 Access to a statewide network of innovative schools Thanks to new funding support, a limited number of middle schools will receive financial assistance for substitute coverage, implementation resources, and professional learning. Ready to learn more? Schedule a brief informational meeting to explore whether Illinois Democracy Schools is right for your school. 🔗 https://bit.ly/678IDS Applications accepted on a rolling basis while space is available.
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This week, I had the opportunity to join Democracy Rising Collaborative and Keep Our Republic on their Justice in Motion bus tour, which took retired judges from across the country to various stops in the Great Lakes states, inspired by Poland's March of 1000 Judges. The rule of law and judicial independence are under fire in the United States. We've seen this before, in countries ranging from Poland to Venezuela, and we're determined to learn from their organizing, successes and failures alike. Steve Silverman and I were lucky to participate in a Poland study tour sponsored by the The Carter Center's Rule of Law project last year, where we learned from Polish judges and activists directly. Steve took that learning back and put it to use immediately, and when he invited me to take part in the tour - particularly given its route across my own home state of Ohio - I jumped at the chance. I've had more fun than I could've possibly imagined I would've had on a bus full of retired judges (this might be a low bar, so let's say WAY more fun), getting to know incredible jurists and speaking with Ohioans and Michiganders about the importance of a neutral judiciary. Here's a clip from their march in Columbus, featuring retired Ohio Supreme Court Justices Mike Donnelly and Maureen O'Connor - you can follow along with justiceinmotion.us.
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#TDiH 1798, the Sedition Act became law. The First Amendment was 7 years old. Federalists feared the Jeffersonian opposition would prove disloyal in the undeclared Quasi-War with France. Their answer: make it a federal crime to criticize the government. Every one of the 10 people convicted under the Act was a member of the opposing party. Matthew Lyon, a sitting congressman, was convicted for campaign speeches critical of Adams. He ran his reelection campaign from prison. He won. Madison and Jefferson didn't responded with constitutional argument, the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, and with elections. The Act expired in 1801. Jefferson won the presidency. He didn't renew it. One of the most teachable early tests of the First Amendment. Check out BRI's Primary Source Close Read 👇 https://bit.ly/4we1CZK #TeachHistory #CivicsEducation #FirstAmendment #ConstitutionalHistory #AmericanHistory #OTD
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#OnThisDay in 1955, the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in Fleming v. South Carolina Electric and Gas that municipal buses must be desegregated. Earlier that year, Sarah Mae Flemming was forced off a Columbia, SC, bus for sitting in the whites-only section. Her lawsuit helped challenge segregation—and around the same time, Dr. King and the SCLC were planning the Montgomery Bus Boycott. 📸 courtesy of Univ. Michigan Law