Students at high schools in Fall River, Springfield and
Worcester participated in the Massachusetts Bar Association's Law
Day Initiative focused on the topic: "Freedom of Speech on the
Internet" throughout the Month of May.
"This unique program is an important addition to the high school
curriculum because it provides young people with a strong awareness
of the law and its impact on society," MBA President Denise
Squillante said. "We are so thankful for the numerous attorneys and
judges who have generously donated their time to make this program
a reality."
Volunteer attorney/judge teams from the MBA visited classes at
each school and encouraged students to:
- Consider the scope of their right to free speech outside and
inside schools;
- Apply the free speech concept to student use of the Internet;
and
- Deliberate whether, and to what degree, there should be limits
on children's use in public libraries.
The participating schools were
- High School of Commerce, Springfield
- Springfield Central High School, Springfield
- Renaissance School, Springfield
- Claremont Academy, Worcester
- The University Park Campus School, Worcester
- Worcester Technical High School, Worcester
- South High School, Worcester
- North High School, Worcester
- Burncoat High School, Worcester
- Doherty High School, Worcester
- B.M.C. Durfee, Fall River
The MBA is appreciative of the Massachusetts Judges Conference
for its assistance with recruiting volunteer judges for this
endeavor. Participating judges were:
- Hon. Philip A. Contant, presiding justice, Westfield District
Court
- Hon. Martha P. Grace (ret.), chief justice, Massachusetts
Juvenile Court
- Hon. Margaret Guzman, associate justice, Dudley District
Court
- Hon. William P. Hadley, associate justice, Springfield District
Court
- Hon. Mark Mason, associate justice, Springfield District
Court
- Hon. David Ricciardone, associate justice, Worcester Superior
Court
- Hon. Raymond P. Veary, associate justice, New Bedford Superior
Court
Law Day is a national day of celebration in May focusing on the
United States' heritage of liberty under law and recognizing its
role in our daily lives. Celebratory events are often held
throughout the month of May. President Dwight D. Eisenhower gave
Law Day its name by declaration in 1958.