Carleton invites public to 4-part series asking “What’s Next for the Country?”

January 12, 2017

Carleton College invites the public to participate in a four-part discussion series designed to take a closer look at issues concerning the nation in light of the Trump presidency and Republican Congress. “What’s Next for the Country?” kicks off Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Weitz Center for Creativity Room 236. All sessions are free and open to the public, and a dessert reception will follow each discussion.

The first panel discussion will be focused on immigration, civil and political rights, and the interests of minorities. Panelists include:

Benjamin Casper Sánchez '90, an immigration attorney with 16 years of experience litigating before the immigration courts, U.S. District, Appeals, and the Supreme Court. Casper is the Director of the Center for New Americans and teaches the Federal Immigration Litigation Clinic. He will speak on immigration issues facing the new administration.

Ian Bratlie, a staff attorney of ACLU-MN. Bratlie has been an immigration lawyer since 2002, and has worked with several non-profits, including Catholic Charities, before coming to the ACLU.

Julio Zelaya, Coordinator of the Greater MN Racial Justice Project of the ACLU. He is a native of Minnesota and works throughout the state on immigrant and racial justice issues. Both Zelaya and Bratlie will speak about sanctuary cities, the Muslim registry question, the Wall and border protections, as well as worker and immigrant rights.

Michael Minta, an associate professor in Political Science at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. He is one of the country’s leading experts in the study of the political representation of African American, Latino, and women interests in the United States. Minta regularly teaches popular courses in U.S. government pertaining to African American politics, congressional politics, and interest group advocacy. On the panel, he will address issues of minority representation and empowerment in the upcoming administration.

Subsequent discussions will be held in Great Hall: Tuesday, Feb. 21, focused on healthcare; Tuesday, April 4, focused on climate change; and Thursday, May 4, focused on foreign policy.

This series is sponsored by the Carleton College Community, Equity, Diversity Initiative (CEDI). For more information, including disability accommodations, call (507) 222-5597. The Weitz Center for Creativity is located at College and Third Streets in Northfield.