The Current GA, in partnership with Keep Our Republic’s Article III Coalition, https://keepourrepublic.org/article-iii-coalition/ will host three retired federal judges in Savannah on Constitution Day for a community conversation about the Constitution and the balance of powers. The program, part of The Current GA’s fifth anniversary year of events, will be held Wednesday, September 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum, with a limited-capacity VIP reception beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The featured judges are Vanessa Gilmore, formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Ursula Ungaro, formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and Beverly Martin, formerly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Together they bring decades of service and will share perspectives on the Constitution, the judiciary’s role in upholding democratic principles, and the importance of judicial independence. The program will be moderated by Richard Griffiths, The Current GA board member, President Emeritus of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation and former CNN Vice President for Global Editorial Quality.

The program will examine the court’s essential role as one of the three co-equal branches of government. Judges appointed by presidents from both political parties will underscore why an independent judiciary, free from political pressure, is fundamental to safeguarding the rights of all Americans.

“This Constitution Day, we pledge to strengthen America’s democracy by mobilizing a better-informed citizenry,” the judges noted in a joint statement. “We are speaking out to protect the Constitution and all that it stands for. Its principles should be celebrated as the foundation of our nation. We call upon every American to join us in upholding judicial independence for our own and future generations.”

Margaret Coker, Editor in Chief of The Current GA, said, “This event reflects our mission of bringing fact-based journalism and civic dialogue to Coastal Georgia. For five years, The Current GA has worked to connect our community with the issues that matter most, and hosting events like this is a powerful way to mark our anniversary while reaffirming the importance of an independent press and judiciary.” 

Tickets for the Constitution Day Town Hall are $25 for general admission. A limited number of VIP tickets, which include the reception and reserved seating, are also available. Proceeds benefit The Current GA, Coastal Georgia’s nonprofit newsroom, supporting independent, nonpartisan journalism that informs, engages, and empowers our community. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit thecurrentga.org/the-current-events/