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| This image links back to an International Business Times package on a biker protest against Islam staged recently in Phoenix. |
Whether it's laws on immigration, legislation to allow guns in more places or, as happened in the past week, a biker protest aimed at Islam that drew national headlines, Arizona is a newsy place to visit for the Reynolds Institute. The latter should be fodder for our discussion of the First Amendment on Wednesday, June 24. Cronkite School faculty member Joe Russomanno, a leading scholar on the First Amendment, will lead that session. His subjects have included Westboro Baptist Church, among others.
I'm glad Joe's around to teach this session, as Westboro, the anti-Islam bikers, etc., give rise to strong emotions. It's easy to dismiss these protests as sad affairs by angry people looking for attention, but if we deem an idea so distasteful it can't be shared publicly it opens a scary door that leaves government in a position of deciding what is and isn't appropriate. I'm looking to Joe to help us navigate these murky waters so we can help our students do the same.
I often speak to visiting international journalists about Arizona politics. One thing I point out: While the protests, birther bills, gun laws, anti-immigration laws and fevered rhetoric in Arizona get the headlines, most people here care about the same things people elsewhere care about. That is, making a living, raising their kids, good health. It's a small percentage of Arizonans who wind up making headlines with extreme viewpoints. But I hope what you see happening in Arizona is useful context as we study journalism, press freedom, the First Amendment and more during our time together.
Steve Elliott
Arizona State University
Phoenix
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