The Robert H. Jackson Center will be kicking off the theme for the 2026 year with a special event that will see the discussion of free speech.

With a special guest speaker, the discussion will analyze the topic of free speech narratives today, and draw connections to Jackson’s legacy. With questions pertaining to free speech becoming some of the most prominent modernly, organizers hope to see a greater amount of thought and discussion directed toward these issues in the community.

The event will contain special guest speaker Aaron Saykin. Saykin was formerly an investigative journalist and has since become an attorney that focuses on first amendment issues. Saykin leads the Media and First Amendment Practice at Hodgson Russ LLP in Buffalo. At this practice Saykin provides clients with important information pertaining to defamation and their free speech rights. Jackson Center President Kristan McMahon stated this experience of Saykin’s makes him a fantastic candidate to speak on the topic, and especially to kick off the 2026 theme at the first event of the year. Saykin is able to bring a unique set of skills to this practice, with 13 years of media background across three states. With this information, Saykin will be able to offer an advanced perspective to the media’s role, while also discussing the aspects of law and personal accountability.

McMahon said inspiration for the event came about from the want to tie modern issues to the lasting legacy of Jackson. Specifically, this event will be focusing largely on the 1943 case of West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette. This case is crucial to the legacy of Jackson, and will offer important historical insight to the definitions of free speech. McMahon stated that this case saw two Jehovah’s Witness students that were expelled from a school for refusing to say the Pledge of Allegiance. The case would eventually be elevated to the United States Supreme Court, where Jackson would write the opinion for the case. McMahon noted that, on one hand, many made the argument that these students had the right to speak in a way that expressed religious freedom. On the other hand, the opposing argument claimed that the pledge, and saluting the flag, were acts of patriotism that the country was hoping to further foster. In his opinion statement, Jackson would note that if acts of patriotism must be forced, then those values do not seem to be genuinely held. These arguments have important relevance to many free speech arguments still being made today, and prove important in examining past precedents that have been set.

“Speech isn’t just the words that we say or the words that we write, there’s the symbolism of it,” said McMahon. “We really sort of wanted to dive into what exactly, when we’re talking about speech and free speech, what does that mean to us today?”

McMahon stated that a large goal of nearly all events at the Jackson Center is to foster more conversation, especially in the local community. McMahon noted that those interested in attending can register online at the Jackson Center’s website. The event will take place in-person on Jan. 9, and will begin at 6 p.m. For more information contact 716-483-6646.