Law, Justice, and the Holocaust: What you do matters
Link to archived video and materials for webinar presentation
Each year, on May 1, Americans celebrate Law Day. The theme for Law Day 2010 was Law in the 21st Century: Enduring Traditions, Emerging Challenges. It encourages us to examine our legal traditions and apply the lessons learned to help us face the challenges that lie ahead. In short, it urges us to learn from the past to help prepare for the future.
In declaring Law Day, President Dwight D. Eisenhower described it as “a day of national dedication to the principle of government under law.” By setting aside time, we have an opportunity to reflect on the rule of law as the foundation of our legal system, and to celebrate our rich legal history. We can also ponder the future of the law in a rapidly changing world.
To celebrate Law Day this year, the Arizona Supreme Court and the State Bar of Arizona offered a unique educational opportunity for attorneys, the court community, members of public safety agencies, and those with an interest in world history or judicial issues. On April 30, the court hosted a special web-based seminar entitled, “Law, Justice, and the Holocaust: What You Do Matters.”
Guest speaker Dr. William Meinecke from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and a distinguished panel of legal experts, lead a two hour discussion about how the courts failed Nazi Germany and the role of each individual in ensuring that this atrocity does not occur again.
The program used short videos to place the historical events in context and examined Hitler’s rise to power. It was followed by historical background information presented by Dr. Meinecke, and finished with a panel discussion moderated by former Chief Justice Ruth V. McGregor and illuminated by panelists Arizona Chief Justice Rebecca White Berch, Professor David Kader from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk, and Dr. Meinecke.