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TechnographTown Hall meeting to discuss changing Supreme Court
By Kristen Rains
Posted: 11/9/05 Section: News
Students and professors will congregate Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Illini Union room 314A for a town hall meeting titled, "Sexuality, Reproductive Rights and the Changing Supreme Court."
This discussion, sponsored by the Gender and Women's Studies Program, was a brainstorm of University Professors Elizabeth Pleck and Leslie Reagan, who are both speaking at the discussion.
Jacquelyn Kahn, associate director of the Gender and Women's Studies Program, said the event was organized to inform the student body of the possible repercussions of the newly nominated Samuel Alito as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
"This could set women back decades," Kahn said.
She said she was concerned about the possible majority of the Republican Party in both the Senate and the Supreme Court suggesting that women's reproductive rights as well as Civil Rights, including those of the LGBT community, could be severely at risk.
A variety of topics as they pertain to the changing Supreme Court will be discussed during this evening's meeting. Topics include: 5 to 4: What that Means When Abortion was a Crime, the Sterilization of Puerto Rican Women, Catholicism and Latinas, and the Uses of Sodomy.
Pleck, professor of history and human and community development, will be discussing the possible outcome of the 5 to 4 ratio which refers to the Republican Democratic ratio, as well as Alito's political beliefs. Pleck said she feels that the Roe vs. Wade decision of 1973 is severely at risk of being overturned.
"Many people aren't aware this is happening," Pleck said. "This is a vote to erode the Roe decision."
She said Alito does not view married women as equals under the law, and if voted into Court two things could happen, "there will be a ban on many types of abortion, and it will be much difficult for challengers to get into court," Pleck said.
Each panelist will present their topics and then open the discussion to the audience to answer any questions they may have. Panelists include professors from various programs from History, to Latina/Latino Studies, to Gender and Women's Studies.
This discussion, sponsored by the Gender and Women's Studies Program, was a brainstorm of University Professors Elizabeth Pleck and Leslie Reagan, who are both speaking at the discussion.
Jacquelyn Kahn, associate director of the Gender and Women's Studies Program, said the event was organized to inform the student body of the possible repercussions of the newly nominated Samuel Alito as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
"This could set women back decades," Kahn said.
She said she was concerned about the possible majority of the Republican Party in both the Senate and the Supreme Court suggesting that women's reproductive rights as well as Civil Rights, including those of the LGBT community, could be severely at risk.
A variety of topics as they pertain to the changing Supreme Court will be discussed during this evening's meeting. Topics include: 5 to 4: What that Means When Abortion was a Crime, the Sterilization of Puerto Rican Women, Catholicism and Latinas, and the Uses of Sodomy.
Pleck, professor of history and human and community development, will be discussing the possible outcome of the 5 to 4 ratio which refers to the Republican Democratic ratio, as well as Alito's political beliefs. Pleck said she feels that the Roe vs. Wade decision of 1973 is severely at risk of being overturned.
"Many people aren't aware this is happening," Pleck said. "This is a vote to erode the Roe decision."
She said Alito does not view married women as equals under the law, and if voted into Court two things could happen, "there will be a ban on many types of abortion, and it will be much difficult for challengers to get into court," Pleck said.
Each panelist will present their topics and then open the discussion to the audience to answer any questions they may have. Panelists include professors from various programs from History, to Latina/Latino Studies, to Gender and Women's Studies.
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