More than 300 Students Attend City Bar’s Constitutional Rights Symposium

On Saturday, November 20th, more than 300 students from over 50 New York City high schools attended the City Bar’s eighth Constitutional Rights Symposium.

Association President Sam Seymour welcomed the students, who then divided into discussion groups to address topical constitutional issues.

“My Rights, My Nation: Constitutional Freedoms Now and In the Future” was created in 2006 to provide regional high school students with a forum to discuss their constitutional rights with fellow students, State Supreme Court Justices and lawyers from various City firms and agencies. Saturday’s program focused on the First Amendment, and students discussed the constitutionality of protecting youth from violent media, the right to use speech to offend, and civil liberties versus national security in the context of the First Amendment.

This symposium is part of the City Bar’s Student Legal Education and Opportunity Program, established to expose high school students to the legal profession. The Program also includes legal internships, a mentor program, LSAT preparation and volunteer attorney speakers for classroom visits. For more information, or to get involved, please contact Gabrielle Brown at gbrown@nycbar.org or (212) 382-6624.