Constitution Day Speaker Will be at The University of Findlay on Sept. 17

The University of Findlay will host a Constitution Day speaker, Mike Brickner, at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17, in the Alumni Memorial Union.

Brickner is the communications and public policy director for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio. His presentation will focus on the nature of free speech – its constitutional protections and its limits – in a post-9/11 world. A question-and-answer session will follow his presentation. During his seven-year tenure at the ACLU, Brickner has worked on a variety of critical civil liberties campaigns. These include the Cincinnati-based Police Reform Project, coordinating the advocacy campaign against the Ohio Patriot Act, and promoting state criminal sentencing reform.

In August 2010, Brickner co-authored the report “Reform Cannot Wait: A Comprehensive Examination of the Cost of Incarceration in Ohio from 1991-2010.” The report analyzed two decades of research showing the state’s “tough on crime” laws were a burden on state finances, diminished public safety and perpetuated racial inequalities. Brickner also co-authored and designed the ACLU’s April 2011 report, “Prisons for Profit: A Look at Private Prisons.” The report highlights the problems faced by other states that have privatized prisons, including: increased costs, safety problems, a lack of transparency and increased recidivism.

Brickner frequently provides commentary to members of the media on core ACLU issues ranging from ending capital punishment to strengthening state privacy laws. Brickner also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Greater Cleveland Community Shares, who named him the 2009 Volunteer of the Year. Recently, he was named a Sue B. Mercy Fellow with Humanity in Action, an international non-profit organization devoted to promoting global human rights.

Brickner received a master’s degree in psychology from Cleveland State University’s diversity management program and a bachelor’s degree from Hiram College.

This Constitution Day event is sponsored by the University’s department of political science. Contact Robert Postic at postic@findlay.edu or Jane Bender at bender@findlay.edu for more information.