A Community Conversation About Protecting Individual Rights

Join the League of Women Voters of Manistee County, a non-partisan organization, on Thursday, November 13 at West Shore Community College (WSCC)-Manistee Campus at 5:30 PM to discuss the legal foundations of our rights of Freedom of Speech and Due Process.

Community Conversations are designed to engage residents of the greater Manistee County in discussions about issues that are fundamental to democracy. A panel of four esteemed experts will lead us through the legal foundations and the implications of these rights in our daily lives.

Freedom of Speech
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
 

Our panelists will be:
Michael Nagle, Professor of Government, WSCC
Sean Henne, Professor of English and Education, WSCC
 

Mike brings insight into the constitutional and historic aspects of freedom of speech, while his colleague, Sean will address the importance of freedom of speech in publishing.

 Due Process of Law
The right to due process is found in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution,  "No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury,…nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation." 

 Our panelists will be:
Jon Hauswirth, Manistee County Prosector
Marcelo Betti, Co-director, Immigration & Law Center of Traverse City

Mr. Hauswirth will explain the legal framework for due process from a criminal perspective as required in Michigan. Marcelo Betti will cover the application of due process as it relates to immigrants.

 Each panelist will provide a 7–10-minute explanation of their respective area of expertise. After the presentation, a conversation will be held, allowing the audience to ask questions, share concerns, and focus on what we can do to ensure these rights are protected in Manistee County and the state of Michigan. 

Please plan to join us for this important Community Conversation.