“In Defense of Democracy” GCSU Fall Programming 9/30/24 – 10/4/24

Monday, Sept. 30 – Frontline Defenders

Start time: 6 p.m.

Location: Peabody Auditorium

The perils and problems of polarized politics for those doing the work of elections in our communities; what you need to know and do; hosted by Professor Claire Sanders

Tuesday, Oct. 1 – The Threat of Disinformation

Start time: 5:00 p.m.

Location: Pat Peterson Museum Education Room

What happens when voters meet misinformation and bad actors perpetuating disinformation and how to navigate this environment. With Gabriel Sterling, chief operating officer for the Georgia Secretary of State; hosted by Dr. Jan Hoffman

Wednesday, Oct. 2 – Times Talk: Democracy on the Brink? A Global Update

Start time: 12 p.m.

Location: Library 241

The year 2024 is a big year for most of the world’s biggest democracies; Dr. Elliott-Gower will host a discussion of some of the most significant issues

Thursday, Oct. 3 – Lowndes County and the Road to Black Power [documentary film screening]

Start time: 6 p.m.

Location: Peabody Auditorium

In a town that was eighty percent Black but had zero Black voters, laws were just paper without power. This isn’t a story of hope but of action. Through first-person accounts and searing archival footage, LOWNDES COUNTY AND THE ROAD TO BLACK POWER tells the story of the local movement and young Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) organizers who fought not just for voting rights, but for Black Power in Lowndes County. Hosted by Dr. Stephanie McClure and Dr. Mark Huddle

Friday, Oct. 4 – How do we respond today?

Start time: 12 p.m.

Location: Allen’s Market

Final event with reflection on the week’s discussions and activities with suggestions for future actions for citizens; hosted by Dr. Veronica Womack 

All events sponsored by: The Center for Georgia Studies and the Rural Studies Institute, in collaboration with the Election Certificate program, the American Democracy Project, and the Department of Government & Sociology, all of Georgia College, and the American Bar Association Task Force on Democracy.