On Thursday, February 11 at NOON in the Barbieri Courtroom former Judge Donald Horowitz (Superior Court) and Professor John McKay (SU Law) will make a presentation to the law school including film clips that will give voice to the judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, administrators, interpreters, investigators, jailers, psychologists, and others associated with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).
In the fall of 2008, Judge Horowitz led a team of information scientists, legal experts and award-winning cinematographers to Rwanda and Tanzania. The team–which included former State Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Utter; former U.S. Attorney turned professor John McKay; and SU Law Professor Ron Slye–conducted 49 in-depth video interviews with participants in the tribunal. For the first time ever (not at Nuremburg nor in Cambodia or South Africa) both the professional and personal experiences of lawyers, judges and others directly involved with such a court or tribunal have been brought together, collected, and preserved.
“Voices from Rwanda Tribunal” is part of a multi-lifespan research initiative intended to help future generations understand and learn from the Rwanda genocide, develop an improved system of international justice, and contribute to a process of healing and peace and prevention. Don’t miss this important presentation!
To learn more about the project visit http://www.tribunalvoices.org/
The Alliance for Social Justice and Career Services invite students, faculty, and legal providers to “An Evening with Legal Aid” on Tuesday, February 9th from 5:30-7:30pm in the Barbieri Court Room at Gonzaga Law School.
“An Evening with Legal Aid” is a unique opportunity that brings students and legal providers together to discuss public interest law in a friendly and informal environment. A reception with food and drink begins at 5:30pm followed by a workshop at 6:00pm that pairs students with attorneys who share similar interests in a casual setting. Get to know future employers and connect on how to improve internships and foster legal access for low-income and underrepresented clients.
RSVP no later than Friday, February 5th to Cherlyn Walden (cwalden@lawschool.gonzaga.edu) and indicate your area of interest based upon the following practice areas:
- Unemployment Law
- Public Defender
- Prosecutor
- Civil Legal Aid
- Child Advocacy
- Fair Housing
Purchase a Red Dress pin for $5 and wear it this Friday, February 5. All proceeds will got to the American Heart Association and Laura McClinton, a 2L who has been diagnosed with cancer. The pins will be sold this Thursday and Friday from 11am to 1pm in the law school lobby.
The International Law Society, Gonzaga Law Review and Amnesty International are co-sponsoring a Haiti Relief Fundraiser from January 19 – 22 in the Law School Foyer. The groups will be collecting money from 8am to 5pm each day to benefit victims of the devastating earthquake that struck the Caribbean country on January 12. All proceeds will go to the Red Cross.
The Gonzaga Hispanic Law Caucus marched with other Spokane community organizations at the annual Unity March in downtown Spokane on MLK Jr. Day. The march commemorated Dr. King and his efforts towards nonviolent activism during the civil rights movement.
The event began as a local pastor read Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech at the INB Performing Arts Center and was followed by the march to River Park Square where local performers and school children sang and danced.
Read the full text of Dr. King’s “Letter from the Birmingham Jail”
On November 19, the Alliance for Social Justice, Gonzaga Chapter of the ACLU, William O. Douglas Committee, and Thomas More Program sponsored a visit by Mary Beth Tinker to Spokane. In her visit to Gonzaga Law School, Mary Beth Tinker addressed not only the student free speech issues and personal experiences with Tinker v. Des Moines, but also the broader issue of fundamental rights of children globally. She argued that the issue of student free speech is only part of a much larger policy discussion of children rights highlighting concerns such as lagging high school graduation rates, child abuse, and ongoing child labor concerns.
Ms. Tinker also expressed concern with regard to the current approach of the Supreme Court evidenced by decisions such as Morse, in which the Court upheld Juneau school district’s decision to suspend a student for holding a banner reading “Bong Hits for Jesus” during the Olympic Torch relay, and Hazelwood, in which the Court permitted school’s to censor student publications. She emphasized that even the youngest citizens have meaningful insights and perspectives to contribute to the marketplace of ideas. She also brought her inspiring message directly to Spokane’s youth with visits to both Rogers High School and Lewis and Clark High School.
Those interested in learning more about Mary Beth Tinker and the circumstances of her landmark Supreme Court case should pick up John W. Johnson’s The Struggle for Student Rights: Tinker v. Des Moines and the 1960s. It contains the whole factual background of the case (based on interviews with Tinker, her family members, and others involved) and covers the progress of the lawsuit through the courts to the Supreme Court. The book also explores the impact of the decision going forward after the decision in Tinker.
Amnesty International’s Global Write-a-Thon was a huge success. The Write-a-Thon works to apply political pressure on countries who are currently detaining human rights defenders or prisoners of conscious in prisons around the world, where they are often beaten, raped and tortured.
Thanks to the efforts of Gonzaga law students, the school’s Amnesty International chapter was able to double the amount of letters pledged. The Write-a-Thon also helped mark International Human Rights Day held December 10.
Thanks to the Adopt-a-Child/Family Program donation drive run by the Student Organization for Victim’s Advocacy (SOVA) and the Child Advocacy Association (CHAD), Gonzaga law school students and faculty sponsored 18 children and 5 families this holiday season. The efforts by SOVA and CHAD also included donations for Toys for Tots.
Amnesty International will have a table set-up in the main foyer of the law school on November 23, 24, and 30 as well as December 1 and 2 to support Amnesty’s Global Write-A-Thon. Promote freedom and human rights by stopping by their table and participating in the world’s largest letter writing event. Using the proven power of writing letters, you can pressure authorities to release those who have been unjustly imprisoned and to stop the torture and abuse of others. Show your support for human rights!
The J. Reuben Clark Law Society will have its next Friday Forum this Friday, November 20, at 12pm at the LDS Institute. The speaker will be Keith Glanzer, an alumnus from our law school. To get to the LDS Institute, go to the Schade Towers (located on the other side of the river and on the other side of Spokane Falls Blvd). The building will be the tall building with the large blue sign saying “Schade Towers.” Go into the building and keep walking until you see stairs leading to the basement. Go down the stairs and follow the signs to the LDS Institute. Home-made lunch will be provided!