Broken Law

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released data from the 2020 census, initiating the process of redrawing electoral maps in every state. This will be the first time that electoral maps are redrawn with the permission of the U.S. Supreme Court to gerrymander. What does this mean for our elections and for our democracy more broadly? Join Lindsay Langholz for her interview with Michael Li (李之樸), Sen...

Workers' rights are facing a slew of different challenges, from a hostile U.S. Supreme Court to corporations actively undermining their workers' right to organize. Add in the unique challenges of working amidst a pandemic, and this episode could not be more timely or important. Join Russ Feingold, ACS President, for his conversation with labor experts on how we protect workers' righ...

In August 2017, hundreds of white supremacists, including members of the KKK and neo-Nazis, descended upon the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, for a “Unite the Right” rally. The rally turned violent, and a white nationalist drove his car through the crowd, causing multiple injuries and the death of counter-protestor Heather Heyer. Since Charlottesville, there has been an array of conversations...

The American Constitution Society recently announced its support for a Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Commission (TRHT). This episode delves into why we need TRHT in the United States and uses housing segregation as a case study for how racism is baked into our laws and legal systems. Join Zinelle October, Dr. Gail Christopher, and Richard Rothstein for this discussion about how we achi...

In the past year, state legislatures across the country have introduced a slew of anti-trans bills seeking to criminalize gender-affirming healthcare and bar trans girls from playing sports. But really, these attacks are not about healthcare or sports; they are just the latest attempts to suppress trans existence. Join Jordan Blisk for his conversation with Dr. Jerrica Kirkley and civil rights att...

The U.S. Supreme Court recently concluded its 2020-2021 term, announcing a series of decisions in high profile cases related to voting rights, labor rights, and LGBTQ rights. ACS's Policy and Program team discuss several of the decisions and what they mean for the law going forward. The team will also look ahead to the Court's upcoming term and preview some of the more controversial case...

The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a major blow to voting rights in its recent 6-3 decision in Brnovich v. DNC. The Court's conservative majority upheld two Arizona voter suppression laws and gutted a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. Join Lindsay Langholz and Kat Calvin for a discussion about the impact of this decision and the Court's previous decision in Shelby County v. Holder . They...

In this episode, Garrett Epps speaks with Victoria Nourse and Peter Shane to break down the claims of "originalism" and show how this flawed legal theory, as applied to the executive branch, has pushed our system to the brink of dictatorship. Legal arguments on constitutional issues are dominated, more and more, by the claims of “originalist” jurisprudence. The term, originated by the co...

The New York Times recently published breaking news about how former President Trump's DOJ seized computer and phone records of democratic lawmakers and their staff. We talk with Andy Wright about why this revelation is so concerning and what should happen to reassert the separation of powers. This is part of Broken Law's "Rapid Response" series. ----------------- Join the Prog...

This episode explores the death penalty’s future in America. In its final months, the Trump administration carried out an unprecedent execution spree. Meanwhile, the country elected Joe Biden, the first president in U.S. history to publicly oppose the death penalty. Twenty-three states have abolished the death penalty. But as it becomes less common, a handful of states are considering firing squad...

ACS President Russ Feingold talks with Congressman James E. Clyburn about the state of our democracy. They delve into the impact of Citizens United v. FCC and Shelby County v. Holder on our elections, as well as how we improve the credibility of our judiciary and whether to reform the Senate filibuster. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Russ...

Joined by ACS President Russ Feingold and Executive Vice President Zinelle October, we discuss the origin of the American Constitution Society (ACS), its work over the past twenty years, and the goals of the progressive legal movement. We cover a wide range of issues from the need for diversity on the courts, to the federal death penalty, and even the case for reforming the Senate filibuster. List...

Ever feel like the law is stacked against you? It probably is. Broken Law speaks truth to power in discussing how our laws and legal system serve the few at the expense of the many. This is where law meets real life. Hosted by the staff of the American Constitution Society, we reckon with the origins of our legal system, interview people on the frontlines of the progressive legal movement, and cha...