Perimeter College to Host Constitution Week Event on Free Speech During the Woodstock Era

Clarkston, Ga.  –  Georgia State University Perimeter College will commemorate Constitution Week with a discussion exploring the intersection of free speech, popular culture and politics during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The event, “The Woodstock of the South: The Atlanta International Pop Festivals and Free Speech,” will take place Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 1 to 2:15 p.m. at the Clarkston Campus in room CL 1100 (JCLRC).

The program will feature Gary Spraberry, chair of the Department of History, Geography and Philosophy at Columbus State University. Spraberry will examine the cultural and constitutional issues surrounding the Atlanta International Pop Festivals, which drew thousands of young people to rural Georgia during the summers of 1969 and 1970.

“Constitution Day events like this give us the opportunity to celebrate the fundamental freedoms of our democracy while recognizing the limitations and restrictions that some have tried to place on these freedoms throughout American history,” said Spraberry.

The festivals featured prominent musical acts, including Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, the Allman Brothers and Jimi Hendrix. According to the event description, reports of drug use and nudity concerned then -Georgia Gov. Lester Maddox, who attempted to shut down the festivals. When those efforts failed, Maddox pushed legislation intended to prevent similar events from taking place in the future.

The discussion will consider how these events reflected the broader national debate over free speech and the First Amendment during a period of significant social and cultural change.

Constitution Week is observed annually in September to recognize the signing of the U.S. Constitution and encourage greater understanding of the document and its role in American government and civic life.

The event will be available online for those unable to attend in person. Registration information.

Additional Constitution Day and National Voter Registration Day Events Across Campuses

In addition to the activities already planned, students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to participate in the following events taking place across multiple campuses:

• Dunwoody Campus - Celebrating National Voter Registration Day: Tuesday, Sept. 15, noon-1:30 p.m., Student Center NB 2000
• Decatur Campus - What’s Poppin’ Voter Registration: Wednesday, Sept. 16, noon-1 p.m., Decatur SC 2100 Cafe Lobby
• Newton Campus - Constitution Day Event: Thursday, Sept. 17, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., 2N Auditorium
• Dunwoody Campus - Celebrate Constitution Day: Thursday, Sept. 17, noon-1:30 p.m., Student Center NB 2000
• Alpharetta Campus - Alpharetta Voter Registration Drive: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., AA Lobby and Parking Lot

These events provide opportunities for students to learn more about the U.S. Constitution, civic engagement and the importance of voter participation, while connecting with campus resources and community partners dedicated to strengthening democratic participation.