Montpelier First Amendment workshops ‘valuable’ in learning people’s rights

For those who seek to learn more about the Constitution of the United States and American history, Montpelier — home of former President James Madison, the Father of the Constitution —offers a special treat. 

The Montpelier Foundation (TMF) has partnered with the NAACP Culpeper Branch for upcoming workshops on “First Amendment Freedoms.” They will be held Saturdays June 22 and July 27 from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. at the Town of Culpeper Police Department community room at 740 Old Brandy Road.

The foundation and the NAACP have collaborated in the past on First Amendment informational workshops, according to Katie Crawford-Lackey, director of Montpelier’s Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution.

They also forged a connection when the NAACP Culpeper Branch awarded TMF staff with the President’s Award for recognizing descendants of slavery.

Cindy Taylor, a member of the NAACP Culpeper Branch education committee, is fond of the relationship and the work being done by the organizations.

“We’ve had the opportunity to participate in Montpelier’s Constitution Day celebration and have enjoyed their Juneteenth festivities over the past few years. We are fortunate to have this exceptional cultural resource so close by, and their willingness to go out into the community with educational programming has been exceptional,” Taylor said in a recent interview.

An inaugural workshop took place May 4 at the Culpeper County Library, according to Crawford-Lackey, and “was very successful.” 

“These workshops are valuable, and Montpelier wants to share knowledge with the community. I definitely recommend the remaining workshops,” she said.

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified on Dec. 15, 1791. This landmark amendment is renowned for its safeguarding of essential freedoms: speech, religion, the press, and the right to petition the government. 

NAACP President Kaleb Hackley, a coordinator of the first workshop, and Vice President Jason Ford, an attendee, praised the speakers, Crawford-Lackey and Patrick Campbell of Montpelier.

“I would 100 percent recommend the workshops. I felt like I was going to learn something, and I definitely did,” Ford said.

 “I feel information about our constitutional rights should be learned and discussed. People should be more equipped about knowing their rights,” Hackley said.

The June 22 workshop will examine barriers to civic participation and engaging with elected officials. The July 27 workshop will look at topics such as education, freedom to learn, book banning by school boards and censorship. 

Hackley said he is evaluating how to continue workshops in the future.

Everyone is invited to attend, but the workshops are most suitable for persons of high school age and older, Taylor said.

The writer is an area freelance journalist