Crossroads (with lunch) | Is freedom of speech in jeopardy?

Is freedom of speech in jeopardy?

Mark Kende
Director of Drake Constitutional Law Center
Drake Law School

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OCTOBER 17, 2025  |  11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Plymouth Congregational Church, Des Moines
** in-person event **

The First Amendment and freedom of speech – revered by most Americans. But are the challenges we are seeing in current times placing its real meaning in danger? Join us for a conversation with Mark Kende, First Amendment expert, to learn a little bit about the history of “freedom of speech,” its evolution, and the challenges it is facing today.

You may make your reservation to attend in-person (with lunch) by clicking on the "Register Now" button. Four bag lunch sandwich options are available: turkey, roast beef, ham salad, and vegetarian; brown bag lunches are $15 each. Please note: You must pre-order and pay for your lunch by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, October 15. Late orders or walk-in requests for lunch will not be available.

If you have any issues registering, please email info@interfaithallianceiowa.org or call 515.279.8715.

ABOUT OUR PRESENTER | Mark Kende is the James Madison Chair in Constitutional Law at Drake Law School as well as Director of the congressionally endowed Drake Constitutional Law Center. He has been a Visiting Professor at Notre Dame School of Law and the University of Paris Faculty of Law, Pantheon. In addition to his book, Constitutional Rights in Two Worlds: South Africa and the United States from Cambridge University Press, Professor Kende has also authored many law journal articles on freedom of expression. He was a Senior Fulbright Scholar and Chair of the Section on Constitutional Law for American law schools. Before entering academia, Professor Kende was a civil rights lawyer in Chicago. He attended Yale University and the University of Chicago Law School.

Crossroads is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Des Moines.