UNIVERSITY NEWS | First Amendment Week raises awareness to the LMU community about the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution – specifically, the freedom it provides, the actions it protects and its fundamental importance to a free, democratic society.
The week is designed to:
- Acknowledge that disagreement and dissent are prevalent in the world today and to model to the LMU community the idea of respectful engagement and the concept of “agreeing to disagree.”
- Celebrate our American right of free expression.
- Bring speakers to campus who engage our community by providing an interesting or even unpopular worldview.
- Educate the whole person by leading students in discussions about issues affecting the world in the 21st
The Los Angeles Loyolan and ASLMU kicked off First Amendment Week 2019 last Thursday, February 14 with the Loyolan’s Iggy Valentine’s Bobblehead giveaway at the men’s basketball game. This week, events and speakers include: the premiere of the docu-series Generations of Activism, interfaith cooperation expert Eboo Patel, Loyola Law School Professor John Nockleby and this year’s keynote speaker, Jesse Williams. Below, you can find more information on First Amendment Week sponsored events.
Monday, February 18: Pluralism, Prejudice and the Promise of America featuring author and interfaith cooperation expert Eboo Patel. Life Science Auditorium, 3 p.m. Presented by the LMU Common Book Program.
Tuesday, February 19: “Generations of Activism” Premiere — This three-part documentary series produced by the Los Angeles Loyolan and ROAR Studios explores student activism and social justice at Loyola Marymount University as experienced by three generations: Baby Boomers, Generation X and Millennials. The series was released online by The Los Angeles Loyolan.
Wednesday, February 20: Challenging Speech — Loyola Law School Professor, John Nockleby, asks the question “Do Trump, technology, and bad actors undermine free speech and threaten democracy?” (UHall 1000 — Ahmanson Auditorium, 4:30 p.m.). Presented by the Forum on Media Ethics & Social Responsibility.
Wednesday, February 20: An Evening with Jesse Williams — Join actor and activist Jesse Williams (aka Dr. Jackson Avery of Grey’s Anatomy) for an intimate conversation celebrating freedom of expression. (Burns Back Court, 6 p.m. — LMU OneCard required for entry). Presented by ASLMU and the Los Angeles Loyolan.
The highlights of past First Amendment Weeks include:
| Year | Keynote(s) | Other Speakers/Events |
| 2018 | ESPN sports journalist and Twitter legend Jemele Hill | “News, Politics and Immigration” with veteran journalist and immigration expert Robert Suro |
| 2017 | The death of the First Amendment (1791-2017???) | “Real News, Fake News and the Ethical Dilemmas of Trump-era Journalism” by Prof. Diane Winston. |
| 2016 | Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning actor and activist America Ferrera | Race and representation in the media student-led panel discussion. |
| 2015 | Academy Award-winning musician, actor and activist Common | Interfaith cooperation expert Eboo Patel |
| 2014 | Former Obama speechwriter Jon Lovett | Petition Wall; Freedom of Religion Videos; Food for Freedom. |
| 2013 | Academy Award-winning screenwriter and producer Mark Boal | Freedom of Religion panel, including LMU President David W. Burcham; Food For Freedom. |
| 2012 | The Editors of The Onion | Free Speech Open Mic Night and Food For Freedom. |
| 2011 | Emmy-, Grammy-, Oscar- and Tony-award winning musician and activist John Legend
| Time magazine columnist and author Joel Stein; University president David W. Burcham.
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| 2010 | Seth MacFarlane, creator of TV series “Family Guy” | Fr. Geoffrey Farrow, a California Catholic priest who was suspended by his superiors for his public refusal to direct parishioners to vote yes on Proposition 8 |
| 2009
| Karl Rove, former senior advisor and deputy chief of staff to former President George W. Bush | David Burcham, then-dean of Loyola Law School; Paul Porter, an expert on the relation between race and the media |
| 2008
| Bill Maher, comedian, TV show host, political commentator, author | Fr. Robert B. Lawton, S.J., then-president of Loyola Marymount University; John Carlos, former Olympian bronze-medalist who was stripped of his medal for giving the Black Power salute on the winner’s podium |
| 2007
| Arianna Huffington, founder of Huffington Post, columnist, author; Michelle Malkin, blogger and political commentator | Danny Ledonne, filmmaker and creator of controversial video game “Super Columbine Massacre RPG!” |
| 2006
| James Carville, political commentator, pundit; Ann Coulter, political commentator, writer | |
Notes: First Amendment Week was founded in Spring 2003 with several small events. The first keynotes for First Amendment took place in 2006. Keynote speakers in 2008-2011 and 2013-18 were co-sponsored by Associated Students of Loyola Marymount University.
