Dialogue on the Day of Truth and Freedom

Part of the Liberal Arts in Action series

Event Date & Time

Fri, Jan 23, 2026 | 9:15 AM - 2:30 PM

Leading scholars, journalists, and community voices joined together for a series of virtual panel discussions exploring how liberal arts expertise shapes our understanding of today’s most pressing civic issues—from the role of the media and constitutional rights to the lived impacts of state-sanctioned violence.

In a moment marked by deep political polarization and urgent questions around immigration enforcement and public safety, this event interrogates how language, law, ethics, and community narratives inform our response to current events.

Panelists engaged in rigorous dialogue that bridges academic insight with real-world consequence, and discover how the liberal arts help us make sense of conflict, community, and our shared civic future.

Recordings of Day of Truth & Freedom Sessions

Lessons from 2020: State Sanctioned Violence and Constitutional Protections for Citizens and Immigrants

How can we understand this week's political response to state-sanctioned violence, including the fatal shooting of Renee Good, in light of Minneapolis' history of political struggles from 2020? What are the First and Fourth Amendment rights available to citizens and immigrants? How can people conduct constitutional observation? What are the barriers to achieving accountability through the criminal legal process considering the antagonism between the state and federal authorities?

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Chair: Valerie Belair Gagnon (Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication)

Panelists:

Michelle Phelps, Dept of Sociology
Emmanuel Mauleon, Minnesota Law School
Carrie Walling, College of Liberal Arts Human Rights Program

Beyond Documenting: The Role of the Photojournalist When Everyone is Recording

Photojournalists play a critical role covering law enforcement, protect, and immigration activities. The panel will discuss the way that their work has changed with the widespread availability of digital recording devices, and in particular this moment in time when everyone is documenting what is happening in the community. They will also discuss the unique professional ethical roles and responsibilities in contrast to citizens activists and constitutional observers. Finally, local photojournalists will discuss their experiences as on-the-ground reporters in the present moment, and compare it to their past reporting experiences, including 2020 civil unrest.

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Chair: Regina McCombs (Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication)

Panelists:

Ben Hovland, MPR News
Dylan Jacobson, KSTP-TV
Lewis Karpel, WCCO TV
Ellen Schmidt, MinnPost

First Amendment Protections and Responsibilities Afforded Journalists and Citizens: Documenting Law Enforcement

A discussion led by Hubbard School faculty on the topic of First Amendment law and ethics. What rights and responsibilities do journalists have to cover law enforcement activities and protests? What are the rights and responsibilities of citizens and observers of law enforcement activities?

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Chair: Elisia Cohen (Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication)

Panelists:

Jane Kirtley, Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Andy Mannix, ProPublica

Community Journalism When ICE is in the Community

Journalists on the ground in communities are uniquely positioned to build trust, or rely on already-created trust, to more deeply document people's experience at this moment. This conversation with local journalists in the Twin Cities who have experience reporting in and for their communities. The conversation will include a look at the journalist's role compared to that of observers who are recording/documenting the operations. How are those roles distinct? Does the public understand the difference between observers and journalists? It will also explore the way close-in reporting can promote empathy in times of strife.

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Chair: Gayle Golden, Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Panelists:

Jon Collins, MPR
Brian Arola, MinnPost
Shubhanjana Das, Sahan Journal
Madison McVan, Minnesota Reformer

Future Events

Additional dates will be announced for panel discussions on topics such as:

Unrest: The Challenge of Live Coverage
Psychological Underpinnings of Mass Political Behavior
The Language of State-Sanctioned Violence
The Impact on Communities of State Sanctioned Violence

In the Headlines

How CLA Scholars are Helping to Make Sense of this Moment

Recent ICE-involved shootings in Minnesota have prompted public discussion about democracy protest and legal authority. CLA faculty are featured in national and local coverage examining the implications of these events.

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