Baton Rouge Bar Foundation [2000]
Contact:
Ann Scarle, Executive Director
Baton Rouge Bar Foundation
P.O. Box 2241
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
E-mail: ann@brba.org
This program was a winner of the 2000 Law Day Activity Awards.
Activity Summary:
Exceptional community-wide participation best describes the Baton Rouge
Foundation’s Law Day 2000 activities. Students of all ages celebrated their freedom
by participating in an elementary school play, a poster contest, and an essay contest. Father
Chief Justice, an original play on the life of E.D. White, Louisiana’s only
Supreme Court Justice, was enjoyed by local attorneys, judges, and law professors.
Finally, on Monday, May 1, 2000 more than 1,400 students attended our Law Day celebration.
An additional 20 individuals celebrated their freedom by becoming United States citizens.
Following the ceremonies, volunteers, new citizens and students enjoyed lunch provided by
the Dow Chemical Company.
Activity Narrative:
Law Day began with Mayor Tom Ed McHugh giving the Law Day Proclamation. The formal
opening of Federal Court for the Naturalization Ceremonies followed. Twenty individuals
who had met the requirements for citizenship became new citizens of the United States and
received American Flags, compliments of the Baton Rouge Bar Foundation. To give the 1,400
students a better understanding of the importance of the ceremonies, the requirements for
becoming a citizen and the Oath of Citizenship were printed in the Law Day program. The
inspirational keynote speaker was Ms. Jacqueline Nash, professor in the Clinical Education
Department of Southern University Law Center. Ms. Nash’s motivational speech on the
positives of diversity in society and the thanks we should give for the freedoms we have
in America was well received by the students.
The celebration continued with the students participating in “rap sessions”
in the local courthouses. The Law Day committee coordinated nineteen simultaneous mini
mock trials. In each courtroom students and a panel of volunteer judges, lawyers,
probation officers, and law enforcement officers performed the trials. The scenario used
for the mock trials involved middle school students protesting not being allowed to start
an “Astrology Club” at school. A new interactive format was created by the Law
Day committee to give the students more participation in the program. Each student and
panel members also received suggested answers. A moderator’s meeting was held and
guidelines were given to implement the format.
Many students were fortunate to meet Warrick Dunn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers tailback and
native of Baton Rouge, as he visited numerous courtrooms, talking to the students about
the importance of staying in school. Dunn’s mother, Betty Dunn Smothers, had been a
Baton Rouge police officer who was killed in the line of duty just two days before
Warrick’s eighteenth birthday. As the eldest child, he took the responsibility for
his seven younger siblings, while earning his college degree and pursuing a career in
professional football.
The hungry students and volunteers then proceeded to lunch, sponsored by the Dow
Chemical Company and provided by McDonalds. Coca-Cola provided complimentary soft drinks.
Each student was given a “goody bag” consisting of a “Careers in the
Law” booklet, Bill of Rights bookmark, pocket Constitutions donated by West
Publishing, and novelties such as address books, note pads, pens, pencils, rulers,
tissues, band-aids, and coupons for free yogurt and free french fries donated by area
businesses. During lunch, the Clerk of Court’s office set up four voting booths to
provide the students an opportunity to learn about the voting process. The students were
notified in advance of the topic for the vote. The students were also able to participate
in the “Fatal Vision” program sponsored by Baton Rouge City Court.
Activities leading up to Law Day included a poster contest, essay contest and an
elementary school mock trial play. Forty-eight middle and high school students submitted
posters conforming to the theme “Celebrate Your Freedom: Speak up for Democracy and
Diversity.” Winners received savings bonds. High school students participated in the
essay contest, sponsored by the Youth Education Committee. The topic for the contest was
“Which United States Supreme Court case or United States Constitutional Amendment
most influenced American society?” Winners received cash awards.
Four schools were subpoenaed to attend Law Day. A subpoena was served by a uniformed
officer to law-related teachers at local schools. This activity taught students the
function of a legal document and stimulated their interest in Law Day.
In April, the story of “Jack and Beanstalk” formed the basis for the case of
the State vs. Jack Robinson, which was held in the “courtroom” of
Claiborne Elementary School. Interestingly, a diverse jury of six fourth- and
fifth-graders found Jack “not guilty” of murder when the giant fell to his death
as Jack chopped down the beanstalk.
Professor Paul Baier of the Louisiana State University Law School authored the play
“Father Chief Justice.” By using authentic newsreels from the early 1900’s
intermingled with live actors, the audience was able to experience the life and times of
Justice E. D. White. The play was performed in the historic chambers of the Louisiana Old
State Capitol. The ambience of the setting contributed to the play’s success.
The success of Law Day has become a Baton Rouge tradition, due to the dedication and
participation of numerous volunteers and the commitment of our community. Law Day is truly
a Baton Rouge celebration of freedom, democracy and diversity.
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