The War on Words: A Conversation on Free Speech and Censorship

Join American Public Square, Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center, and Johnson County Library's author talk with Nadine Strossen

Doors Open: 5:30PM

Formal Program Begins: 6:00PM

Reception: Immediately to follow

In an era when communities, campuses, and governments wrestle with what speech should be allowed, "The War on Words: 10 Arguments Against Free Speech — And Why They Fail" offers a timely and provocative roadmap back to first amendment principles. Join American Public Square, Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center, and Johnson County Library for an in-depth author talk with Nadine Strossen, past president of the ACLU, one of the country’s leading First Amendment scholars, and moderator of our June 18 program on free speech. This event will unpack the book’s rebuttal of today’s most common censorship arguments — from “words are violence” to “hate speech isn’t free speech” — and explore what’s truly at stake when we narrow the boundaries of acceptable speech. This conversation will challenge assumptions across the political spectrum and illuminate why open inquiry remains essential to a healthy democracy.