Alaska Court System and State Bar
of Alaska
Contact:
Barbara Hood
E-mail: Bhood@courts.state.ak.us
"The US in JUSTICE is… EVERYONE!"
Activity Summary:
"The US in JUSTICE is… EVERYONE!" photo-text exhibit served as
a visual backdrop for Law Day 2002 activities across Alaska and
promoted the 2002 Law Day theme "Celebrate Your Freedom: Assuring
Equal Justice for All." The exhibit features 37 portraits of diverse
Alaskans and their personal statements about what equal justice
means to them. Approximately 40,000 Alaskans had the opportunity
to view the exhibit at schools, courthouses and other public venues
throughout May 2002. The project succeeded in raising public awareness
about our legal system and the work of judges, attorneys, legal
organizations and others in the quest for fairness and equality.
Activity Narrative:
"The US in JUSTICE is… EVERYONE!" photo-text exhibit was a unique,
affordable, and effective way to communicate this year's Law Day
message to the public.
Public Awareness. By sharing the images and words of many
diverse Alaskans engaged in law-related work, "The US in JUSTICE
is… EVERYONE!" photo-text exhibit has helped educates the public
about the role both laws and people play in ensuring equal justice.
Viewers have found the exhibit very informative and eye opening,
and several have remarked on the importance of putting faces to
concepts. The "rule of law" is no longer abstract when a dedicated
person gives it a face and a voice.
Law Day 2002 Theme. The exhibit was specifically designed
to address this year's Law Day theme, "Celebrate Your Freedom:
Assuring Equal Justice for All." Participants were included in
the exhibit based on their contributions in the areas of focus
identified by the ABA: (1) extending legal assistance to those
in need; (2) making courts more efficient and user-friendly; and
(3) making American justice equal regardless of color, gender,
disability, or economic status. The exhibit highlights this year's
theme in a positive and provocative way by educating Alaskans
about the many people who work for equal justice and fostering
meaningful dialogue about what equal justice means and how it
can be achieved in a diverse society.
Outreach to Communities & Schools. Every major community
in Alaska, as well as many smaller villages, displayed the exhibit
on Law Day and throughout the month of May 2002. Courthouses in
major cities and regional centers such as Anchorage, Barrow, Bethel,
Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan, Kotzebue, Nome, Sitka and Palmer
mounted it prominently in public lobbies or hallways. Most courts
invited the public to opening receptions on Law Day, and some
included music, dancing and speakers representing diverse segments
of their communities. At least four major high schools and two
major community centers also hosted the exhibit. An estimated
40,000 people had the opportunity to view the exhibit during the
month of May, and it received media coverage in Anchorage Daily
News and the Alaska Bar Rag.
Effectiveness of Partnerships. The first time Law Day
partnership between the Alaska Court System and the Alaska Bar
Association proved very successful and will be continued. ACS
committed staff time, partial funding, and in-kind support to
the exhibit itself. The AkBA helped evaluate the exhibit, prominently
displayed it at its annual convention, and provided extensive
coverage in its bimonthly newspaper. Members of the planning committees,
who represented many diverse organizations and institutions, also
provided invaluable assistance, and several participated in the
exhibit. The Alaska Humanities Forum was a critical partner because
of its important financial contribution and the statewide exposure
its projects receive. Finally, lasting relationships were formed
with 37 individual and group participants in the exhibit, all
of whom appreciated the positive public attention to their efforts.
Quality, Innovation and Effectiveness of Approach. The
exhibit was coordinated, edited, and photographed (except where
distances required local photographers) by an experienced photographer
on the court system's senior staff. It was professionally designed
and laid out by an independent graphic artist, resulting in a
product of high professional quality. Because of the desire for
wide distribution, it was produced free of charge to any interested
courthouse, school or community center. Over 20 host sites have
sent positive feedback to date—a strong testament to its
effectiveness as a method of communicating the Law Day message.
Impact Beyond Law Day. The Alaska Bar Association displayed
the exhibit throughout its annual convention May 15-17, and the
Khabarovsk-Alaska Rule of Law Partnership will be displaying it
for a large group of visiting Russian jurists on June 14. Posters
from the exhibit have also been widely displayed individually,
since each participant received two complementary copies of their
poster. For example, Anchorage Wellness Court is using its individual
poster to publicize its innovative work, the Fairbanks courthouse
has put posters featuring regional court staff on permanent display,
and some participants have used their posters in grant applications
or board presentations. New opportunities for displaying the exhibits
are arising regularly, and it remains available for future outreach
purposes.
In conclusion, "The US in JUSTICE is…EVERYONE!" exhibit was a
very successful outreach effort, and we would recommend a similar
activity to other jurisdictions for Law Day 2003.
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