A series of public forums celebrating free speech is coming to Falls Church next year in celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday.
Members of the Falls Church250 Committee have tentatively agreed to sponsor a series of at least two dozen “soapbox” forums, giving residents the opportunity to speak about their views on the current state of national and local affairs.
“This is a democracy — we want to give people the chance” to speak up, said Jim Coyle, who chairs the body overseeing the commemoration and represents the Economic Development Authority on it.
“Everybody is very excited. We have struck a very responsive vein,” Coyle added.
Details of the proposal were discussed at length during the commission’s Dec. 8 meeting.
Under plans set to be finalized next month, soapbox events will be held once a month on the steps of City Hall, coinciding with a Saturday farmers market held on the grounds. More will be held at community events on at least a monthly basis.
Speakers would be given up to 2 minutes and would be encouraged to speak on topics of national and local history and governance. The potential of events descending into vitriolic free-for-alls raised some concerns among committee members.
“Someone is going to say something” sure to offend others, committee member Callie Hawkins predicted.
City Attorney Sally Gillette has advised city staff that there can be guidelines for speakers without running afoul of First Amendment protections.
“Nobody wants this to go awry,” said Holly Irwin, the city staff liaison to the committee.
Among proposals set for consideration in January, the guidelines suggest:
- Speakers should aim to inspire and engage, not alienate
- They should enter the discussion with goodwill
- They should be aware of the setting and take an appropriate tone
The goal, Coyle said, is to provide “a controlled environment as best we can” without trampling on free-speech rights.
“There’s always going to be somebody who’s not going to follow the rules,” he added.
The concept of brief, sometimes biting speeches in public venues dates back several hundred years. While calling it a “soapbox speech” often is merely descriptive, in Falls Church’s case it will be literal: Coyle has obtained three actual soapboxes for the speakers to gain a slight height advantage while making their points.
“They’re being reinforced by a carpenter,” he said.
The city school system could also adopt the effort. Coyle said school officials have sought to offer similar open forums in the springtime during lunch periods.
At the Dec. 8 meeting, plans also were reviewed for a series of 12 history-themed videos to be created for the 250th-anniversary commemoration.
The videos are being produced through Falls Church Community Television (FCCTV). The first, featuring reflections of Mayor Letty Hardi and former mayors, will be released in January.
Other topics planned for the video series include Native American history, education and the civil rights movement, each with a local angle.
Hawkins said she was pleased with FCCTV staff’s collaboration efforts.
“They are so on it. They have very thoughtful questions,” Hawkins said.
Also in the planning stages is a major community event slated for July 4.
City Council member David Snyder, who serves as liaison to the committee, said he was impressed with committee members’ level of planning and thought.
“This is an incredible group of people coming up with fantastic ideas,” Snyder said.
