Miscellaneous Events

Voting, Citizenship, and Civil Rights: The 14th Amendment, Transforming American Democracy

Law Day 2017
Attend a Law Day workshop at NYPL


One of the most impactful amendments to our Constitution, the 14th Amendment has been invoked to protect the rights of America’s most maligned citizens since its adoption in 1868. Originally proposed to ensure citizenship for African Americans after the Civil War, watershed legal cases such as Brown v. Board of Education, Roe v. Wade, and more have since relied on the 14th Amendment to safeguard American civil liberties.

For this year’s Law Day – an annual day established by the American Bar Association in 1957 – the Library is hosting a series of workshops, programs, and talks on the many far-reaching effects of the 14th Amendment on our democracy. Find a local program near you on Monday, May 1, 2017, to learn more about citizenship, civil rights, voting and equal protection throughout American history, and celebrate the rights that the 14th Amendment has given our country.

Free Film Screenings and Workshops on Law Day 2017

Citizenship and Equal Protection Workshop at Port Richmond: Celebrate Law Day and learn about the topics of citizenship and equal protection. Port Richmond Library, 10:30 AM.

Film Screening: Loving: Learn more about the story of Richard and Mildred Loving, a couple whose arrest for interracial marriage in 1960s Virginia began a legal battle that would end with the Supreme Court's historic 1967 decision. Baychester Library, 10:30 AM.

Workshop on Voting Rights: This hour-long workshop, facilitated by an artist and lawyer team, will teach the basics of our nation’s path toward universal suffrage; then, participants are encouraged to make an original cartoon, meme, song, poem, or social media post that creatively expresses the meaning and importance to them of voting. This program will be led by Vaughn Buffalo and Alan Moverman. Washington Heights Library, 11 AM.

Workshop on Voting Rights: This hour-long workshop, facilitated by an artist and lawyer team, will teach the basics of our nation’s path toward universal suffrage; then, participants are encouraged to make an original cartoon, meme, song, poem, or social media post that creatively expresses the meaning and importance to them of voting. The program will be led by attorney Lesley Rosenthal and jazz pianist Ted Rosenthal. 53rd Street Library, 12 PM.

Monday Movie Matinee: The Wall: In honor of Law Day, watch a documentary about the construction of a border fence between the United States and Mexico. Pelham Bay Library, 1 PM.

Workshop on Voting Rights: This hour-long workshop, facilitated by an artist and lawyer team, will teach the basics of our nation’s path toward universal suffrage; then, participants are encouraged to make an original cartoon, meme, song, poem, or social media post that creatively expresses the meaning and importance to them of voting. Woodlawn Heights Library, 1 PM.

Workshop on Voting Rights: This hour-long workshop, facilitated by an artist and lawyer team, will teach the basics of our nation’s path toward universal suffrage; then, participants are encouraged to make an original cartoon, meme, song, poem, or social media post that creatively expresses the meaning and importance to them of voting. This program will be led by Veronica Bennett, Ilana Haramati, Cynthia Kouril, and Amy Avila.

Workshop on Voting Rights: This hour-long workshop, facilitated by an artist and lawyer team, will teach the basics of our nation’s path toward universal suffrage; then, participants are encouraged to make an original cartoon, meme, song, poem, or social media post that creatively expresses the meaning and importance to them of voting. This program will be led by Sharon Dizenhuz and Rubén Kraiem. Mid-Manhattan Library, 2 PM.

Workshop on Voting Rights: This hour-long workshop, facilitated by an artist and lawyer team, will teach the basics of our nation’s path toward universal suffrage; then, participants are encouraged to make an original cartoon, meme, song, poem, or social media post that creatively expresses the meaning and importance to them of voting. Grand Concourse Library, 3 PM.

Equal Protection and Disabilities at Andrew Heiskell: Join an information session on the topic of equal protection and its application to people with disabilities, led by Professor Leslie Salzman of Cardozo Law School. Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library, 3 PM.

Teen Workshop on Voting Rights: This hour-long workshop, facilitated by an artist and lawyer team, will teach the basics of our nation’s path toward universal suffrage; then, participants are encouraged to make an original cartoon, meme, song, poem, or social media post that creatively expresses the meaning and importance to them of voting. Mott Haven Library, Community Room, 4 PM. For Teens/Young Adults (13-24 years).

Teen Workshop on the 14th Amendment at Seward Park: Join an interactive workshop for teens on the topic of equal protection and civil rights, led by Professor Julie Suk of Cardozo Law School. Seward Park Library, 4 PM. For Teens/Young Adults (13-24 years).

Film Screening: Loving: Learn more about the story of Richard and Mildred Loving, a couple whose arrest for interracial marriage in 1960s Virginia began a legal battle that would end with the Supreme Court's historic 1967 decision. Sedgwick Library, 4 PM.

Workshop on Voting Rights: This hour-long workshop, facilitated by an artist and lawyer team, will teach the basics of our nation’s path toward universal suffrage; then, participants are encouraged to make an original cartoon, meme, song, poem, or social media post that creatively expresses the meaning and importance to them of voting. This program will be led by Debra Eder, Irina Tarsis, Ryan Chin, and Carmela Gaines. Mulberry Street Library, 5:30 PM.

Equal Protection Workshop at Countee Cullen: Please join us to celebrate Law Day and learn about the topics of equal protection and due process. Countee Cullen Library, 6 PM

Voting Rights Workshops are presented in partnership with Let's ROL, a new rule-of-law initiative founded by attorney Lesley Rosenthal and jazz artist Ted Rosenthal, dedicated to inspiring the public, through creative means, to the promise and privilege of civic participation.

Law Day

About Law Day

President Dwight Eisenhower established the first Law Day to mark the nation's commitment to the rule of law. In 1961, Congress issued a joint resolution designating May 1 as the official date for celebrating Law Day, which is subsequently codified (U.S. Code, Title 36, Section 113). Every president since then has issued a Law Day proclamation on May 1 to celebrate the nation's commitment to the rule of law. Learn more at the American Bar Association.