The public is invited to take part in “Barnette at 80 and What It Means Today” on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Robert H. Jackson Center.

Professor John Q. Barrett will lead a discussion on the legacy of and current challenges to one of the U.S. Supreme Court’s most significant decisions.

June 14, 2023, will mark 80 years since West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette. In Barnette, the Supreme Court decided, and Justice Robert H. Jackson wrote the court’s opinion explaining, that it is unconstitutional for government to compel schoolchildren to salute and to pledge allegiance to the American flag. Coincidentally, June 14 is celebrated as Flag Day.

Barrett, a professor of law at St. John’s University and Elizabeth S. Lenna Fellow and a board member at the Robert H. Jackson Center, will guide the discussion and offer insights on Barnette as a historical matter and how it affects thinking today about collisions between laws and rules that apply to all and individuals who wish to differ.

This program is free and open to the public.

The Barnette decision continues to echo loudly today.

“It’s about Colin Kaepernick. It’s about bakers, website designers, and other commercial service providers who choose based on religious beliefs not to provide services to same-sex weddings,” explained Barrett. “It’s about racism, sexism, and our anti-discrimination laws.

It’s about all of us constituting a country together while each of us is a person with thoughts, beliefs, conscience, and moral rights.”

All are invited to come to the Robert H. Jackson Center to listen, to discuss, and to be what they are alongside and with everyone else. This program is appropriate for learners of all ages, especially those who are eager to participate in the conversation.

“Professor Barrett’s expertise and this format will enable a robust discussion of these issues,” said Kristan McMahon, Jackson Center president. “This is an opportunity for our community to debate and learn, and we hope everyone takes advantage of this.”

To learn more about the extraordinary local, national, and international contributions of Robert H. Jackson, the public is invited to visit the center from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday for tours at 305 E. Fourth St., Jamestown.

Docents are available to provide tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Donations are welcome to support the free programs the center provides to all ages throughout the year.