Symposium

Revisiting the Line Between Free Speech and Obscenity: U.S. v. Stevens

The Center for Animal Law is pleased to announce this year’s symposium, Revisiting the Line Between Free Speech and Obscenity: U.S. v. Stevens and Its Implications for Animal Welfare. The symposium will consider the impact of the Court’s ruling in U.S. v. Stevens on the future of animal welfare. It is scheduled for September 30, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the DePaul College of Law.

The defendant, Robert Stevens, was convicted by a Pennsylvania jury of violating a federal statute which prohibited the commercial distribution of depictions of animal cruelty. Stevens appealed his conviction to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, who overturned his conviction, and in April 2010 the Supreme Court of the United States affirmed. The Court held that the statute, as written, was overly broad, and, therefore, unconstitutional.

The primary purpose of this symposium is to evaluate the constitutional issues raised in Stevens, specifically the prevention of animal cruelty as a compelling government interest and the risks associated with the use of a “social value” balancing test for placing restrictions on otherwise protected speech.

Additionally, the symposium will draw attention to the destructive influence of dogfighting on our local community. Dogfighting subjects defenseless animals to immense pain, suffering and a torturous death. Moreover, it contributes to a culture of indifference towards violence that erodes communities, threatens the psychological welfare of those who choose, or are forced, to participate, and encourages criminal behavior.

For more information, to register, or to respond to our Call for Papers, please contact us.