Students debate the Constitution

Benjamin Franklin impersonator Lou McCreary spoke to an audience of approximately 700 at Austin Community College's third annual U.S. Constitution Debate Day on Aug. 22. Lou McCreary, a former assistant attorney general, told the audience "that today's constitution is a living constitution."

The event included facilitators, judges, lawyers, professors from the University of Texas Law School and students from ACC, the University of Texas and from various high schools.

Speakers from the community included Peck Young, Director of ACC's Center of Public Policy, and Political Studies (CPPS), Mayor Pro-tem Mike Martinez, President of ACC's Student Government Association(SGA) Jorge Amador as well as ACC professor Jeff Millston.

The 696 participants at the event were placed into groups around circular tables and were given different court case scenarios.

The scenarios were read and broken down by "experts": judges, lawyers, professors as well historians who volunteered to assist at the event. Members of the groups were encouraged to look over their particular scenario and discuss whether or not they considered the situation to go against the rights and freedoms of individuals set within the laws of the constitution. A member was chosen from each group to debate his or her position with someone of an opposing position. All alternating debates took place in front of the rest of the auditorium.

"There was a diverse, cross section of issues," said Peck Young Director for the Center of Public Policy and Political Studies at ACC, who is referring to the 17 different topics that the groups were given. Topics ranged from gun control, the death penalty, prayer in school, freedom of speech, war power, and even abuse of the executive branch.

"What makes this event so great is that students actually get to participate in deliberating about real world issues. They don't just sit there and listen to a talking head. They're required to actively engage," said Jeff Millstone, a government professor at ACC, Millstone acted as a facilitator for the debates and gave feedback to the debaters.

Millstone is also excited about the fact that so many members from the community come out to be a part of the event.

"It's not every day that you get lawyers, judges and professors from the law school to come and participate with us," Millstone said.

This is the first year that the event has been sponsored by someone other than student government according to Young. Sponsors at the event included the American Civil Liberties Union, Trial Advocates Association of Attorneys and Texas Campus Compact according to Young.

"Outside groups are enthusiastic about being part of the event because (news of) what we have accomplished is getting around," Young said about the sponsors.

Jorge Amador, Student Government president, thought the event was a good chance for students as well as community members to come out and learn about thier Constitution.

"It facilitates learning, and it's a really neat experience," Amador said.