26 | MAY 9 • 2024
J
N
S
elf-reporting for “jury
duty” at a mock trial
next week, members
and friends of SOAR Lifelong
Learning Institute will be
asked to make their choice
about a relevant question
of today — “Can it Happen
Here? Fascism in America.”
Mock trials are an
imitation proceeding in
which real jurists use court
procedures to explore both
sides of notable cases or
issues. The public is welcome
to attend SOAR’s free event,
a presentation of its Harry
Cook Social
Justice Series,
on Friday, May
17, at the Hawk
Center Theater
in Farmington
Hills.
A group of
“players” — attorneys, a judge
and expert witnesses — will
provide audience members
with the facts they’ll need to
make an informed decision.
Bringing the case at the
mock trial will be Robert
Sedler, retired distinguished
professor at
Wayne State
University Law
School, arguing
against the
proposition, and
his counterpart,
trial attorney
Joseph Kosmala of Macomb
County.
The mock trial will
consider whether the
hallmarks of fascism
could infiltrate American
governance. Features of a
fascist government include
extreme nationalism,
militarism and the supremacy
of a single powerful leader.
Modern democracies, such as
in the United States, support
individual rights, competitive
elections and the protection
of political dissent. According
to the organizers, the forum
is intended to provoke
thoughtful discussion on
the resilience of America’s
democracy in the face of
authoritarian ideologies.
“It’s a great topic because
people are concerned about
the future of democracy
in this election,” said trial
participant Jack Lessenberry,
a veteran journalist,
biographer and SOAR
supporter and
lecturer.
“A candidate
for president
talked about
being a dictator
for a day,”
Lessenberry said,
“and now people
are talking about whether he
might impose something like
fascism if elected.”
The mock trial players
have agreed to present only
the facts about the fascism
issue, forgoing politics.
Audience members will have
an opportunity to ask the
experts any questions later,
while the ballots are being
counted.
“Our main presentation
will not be about Trump,
SOAR Lifelong Learning hosts
mock trial on “Can it Happen
Here? Fascism in America.”
All Rise for
Mock Court
Jack
Lessenberry
Robert
Sedler
The late
Harry Cook
ESTHER ALLWEISS INGBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
OUR COMMUNITY
LEARNING FOR
A LIFETIME
Those possessing a
curious mind and a
passion for learning may
find the stimulation they
seek at SOAR Lifelong
Learning Institute, an
independent organization
in Farmington Hills
celebrating 20 years.
Those at least age
55 can choose from
SOAR’s diverse selection
of classes, lectures,
clubs and explorations,
along with participating
in social activities. Both
in-person and virtual
programming are
available, as described
in print catalogs and
on the SOAR website
(soarexplore.com).