CONSTITUTION DAY HELD IN NORMAN

The ACLU joined with the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, Interfaith Alliance, League of United Latin American Citizens, Norman Unitarian Universalist Community Church, Norman Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, A. Philip Randolph Institute, the Peace House and NAACP to present Constitution Day Town Hall Meeting: One Nation Under Surveillance on Monday evening, September 17, 2007.  The event was held in the Bell Courtroom of the OU College of Law.

Dr. Robin Meyers, Oklahoma City University Professor of Communication and Mayflower Congregational Church Senior Pastor, moderated a panel discussion about the Constitution's history, its current difficulties and what can be done to preserve it.  OU Professor of Law Randy Coyne, former State Senator Bernest Cain and Dr. Bruce Prescott of Americans United for Separation of Church and State served as panelists. 

Senator Cain provided a brief history and perspective about Oklahoma's state constitution.  Dr. Prescott discussed religious liberty issues as they relate to individual freedom and to national security.  Professor Coyne presented a view of the U.S. Constitution as a flawed document that has been improved throughout its history.  Professor Thai lamented the serious harm to constitutional rights that is currently occurring under the guise of strengthening national security.

Dr. Myers presented the Cain, Coyne, Prescott and Thai with provocative questions before allowing the audience an opportunity to question the panelists.  The event, which was free to attend, drew approximately 200 people.  It was taped by KGOU, Norman's National Public Radio affiliate.  The radio station broadcast the Constitution Day program on Sunday, October 7, 2007 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.