"Freedom of speech is a cherished American right," said a Rockland Public Library news release. "It is highly protected by the First Amendment, and a majority of Americans from all political perspectives claim to strongly support free speech. At the same time, free speech controversies and conflicts regularly rock American society."

Thursday, May 28, at 6 p.m., in the Community Room of the Rockland Public Library, Dr. Phillip Buckley will examine freedom of speech from two overlapping perspectives: American constitutional law and American culture. 

How does American law balance the individual right of free speech with the need that the government has to restrict speech at times? What philosophical and political values underpin the right of free speech? How does living in a “strong free speech society” impact what it means to be a citizen? What role has free speech played in American history and what role does it play in American culture and politics today?

Dr. Buckley is a member of the Justice Studies faculty at the University of Maine at Augusta, where he works out of the UMA Rockland Center (“URock”). An expert on Constitutional Law and Education Law, he has published and presented research on various First Amendment topics including the speech rights of K-12 students, the speech rights of teachers and other public employees, and religion in public schools. Dr. Buckley holds his law degree from George Washington University and his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania.

This event is free and open to the public.

For more information or with questions, please contact pking@rocklandmaine.gov. 

The Rockland Public Library is located at 80 Union Street.