Discussions on the U.S. Constitution planned around Minnesota in the coming months

A series of discussions about the U.S. Constitution will be held around the state in the coming months, sponsored by the Minnesota Humanities Center, in partnership with Twin Cities Public Television.

The discussions, to be held from April to November, are part of a statewide initiative called  “Toward a More Perfect Union: Talking About the Constitution.” Organizers say the events will allow “community members to explore the most basic yet profound questions of our democracy.”

Trained facilitators will be on hand for the events, which are built around the PBS series “Constitution USA with Peter Sagal.”

The goal, they say, “is to create greater understanding of the United States Constitution, deepen appreciation of both the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and inspire citizen engagement.”

Planned events are:

• Carver County Library. Four events in October 2014 in partnership with School District 112 Community Education, Chanhassen Senior Center, and Friends of the Chanhassen Library
• City of St. Cloud, Whitney Senior Center.  Four events in fall 2014
• Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota. Two events in spring 2014
• Duluth Public Library. Three events in fall 2014 in partnership with the League of Women Voters, Community Action Duluth, Duluth Area Family YMCA, and Duluth Library Foundation
• Hastings Community Education. Three events in spring, summer, and fall 2014, in partnership with Hastings Prescott Area Arts Council
• League of Women Voters, Golden Valley. Three events in spring and fall 2014 in partnership with the City of Golden Valley, Hennepin County Library, and Golden Valley Human Rights Commission
• Rochester Public Library. Eight events May through November 2014 in partnership with League of Women Voters, Rochester Community Technical Collage LIFE Program, RNeighbors, Rochester Issues Forum, and Rochester Tea Party Patriots
• Ramsey County Library – Roseville.  Three events in October 2014 in partnership with Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Minnesota
• Wounded Warrior Project. One event in April 2014

“The Humanities Center invites lively, yet deep, conversation as Minnesotans come together and talk about the Constitution, about how this living document affects the lives of all Minnesotans,” said David O’Fallon, PhD, President and CEO of the Minnesota Humanities Center.