2015 Clarence Darrow Symposium to Commemorate Famed Attorney at the Darrow Bridge and More, 3/13

On the seventy-eighth anniversary of famed attorney Clarence Darrow's death, this year's annual Darrow symposium on Friday, March 13 explores contemporary activism on the issues of undocumented laborers and immigration. Darrow's attitude is summarized by a quote from a 1929 debate on "Is Immigration Beneficial?" in which he said, "I am a foreigner; my people didn't get here until about 1710. They got here, and now I am asked to close the doors to the people who came over on a later ship."

This year's symposium views the issues through the work of three passionate and outspoken advocates for the undocumented. Tania Unzueta Carrasco is an immigrant queer community organizer and writer who is known nationally for using direct action and civil disobedience to fight against deportations and harsh immigration enforcement practices and policy. Catholic Sisters Patricia Murphy and JoAnn Persch founded the Interfaith Committee for Detained Immigrants, which works in detention centers, a deportation center, the immigration court and the Post-Detention Accompaniment program.

The day begins with a brief ceremony and flower-tossing near the Darrow Bridge in Jackson Park at 10 a.m., where Darrow's ashes were scattered after his death and where, as a bet, he once agreed his spirit would return if it turned out communication was possible from the afterworld. The bridge is closed due to construction, so the ceremony will be just to the east of the Darrow tribute marker. For the past 58 years, through the annual commemoration ceremony and lecture, Darrow's spirit has returned-usually to remind us that his work is not yet done.

After the ritual outdoor flower-tossing, guests will move inside to the Museum of Science and Industry's Rosenwald Room (formerly the New Columbian Room) for light refreshments and presentations at 10:45 by the featured speakers. The program also includes an appearance by high school junior Marissa Howe, winner of the Clarence Darrow History Award (which is sponsored by the Clarence Darrow Commemorative Committee) at the 2014 Chicago Metro History Fair.

Darrow, who died March 13, 1938, is remembered for his crusading role as "attorney for the damned" in such controversial cases as the Scopes Monkey Trial, the Leopold and Loeb murder case, and the pardoning of the Haymarket anarchists.

The Clarence Darrow Bridge is behind the Museum of Science and Industry. Since it is currently under construction, the flower-tossing ceremony will take place just east of the bridge. Drive south on Lake Shore Drive, pass the light at 57th Drive and turn right at the next light [Science Drive]. You will come almost immediately to Columbia Drive. If you turn left and follow Columbia Drive there is parking near the bridge. You may park near the OmniMax Theater and walk south to the bridge. For more details see www.darrowbridge.org.

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