Where: TNH 2.138 (Blanton Classroom)

Sponsored by: Bech-Loughlin First Amendment Center

The Bech-Loughlin First Amendment Center and the Texas Review of Law & Politics are co-sponsoring a lunch event for students interested in pursuing religious liberty work with their careers. Special guest Eric Rassbach from the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty will speak at the event. Lunch will be provided for folks who RSVP!

If you need an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the event sponsor or the Texas Law Special Events Office at specialevents@law.utexas.edu no later than seven business days prior to the event.

Where: TNH 2.140 (Wright Classroom)

Sponsored by: Bech-Loughlin First Amendment Center

Do laws requiring the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms violate the Establishment Clause? Professor Nathan Chapman (University of Georgia Law) joins us to analyze the constitutionality of state laws that require the posting of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, arguing that many of them are best seen as prescribing particular religious beliefs and conduct, in violation of the Establishment Clause. Applying a historical understanding of an “Establishment of Religion” and considering the contexts of each mandated display, his paper concludes that several of these statutes are unconstitutional.

Lunch will be provided. Please register at the link.

If you need an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the event sponsor or the Texas Law Special Events Office at specialevents@law.utexas.edu no later than seven business days prior to the event.

More information: https://law.utexas.edu/first-amendment-center/events/prescribing-religion-the-ten-commandments-on-classroom-walls/

Where: Bass Lecture Hall

Sponsored by: Bech-Loughlin First Amendment Center

Pastor Ezra Jin, founding pastor of Zion Church, joins us for a discussion on how religious communities in China are navigating severe pressure from the Chinese Communist Party, and its meaning for the United States. Under Jin’s leadership, Zion Church grew into one of the largest and most influential unregistered Protestant congregations in China. In October 2025, Chinese authorities detained Jin and nearly 30 leaders of his church in a series of coordinated nationwide raids. He was held for 266 days and released in July 2026 after President Donald Trump raised his case directly with President Xi Jinping. His story has been covered widely across the Wall Street Journal, Free Press, Washington Post, and New York Times, as well as PBS NewsHour, Fox News, CNN, and beyond.

Lunch will be served. Please register at the link. Garage parking is available for a fee at the Manor Garage, the Brazos Garage, and the San Jacinto Garage. Parking will not be validated.

Cosponsors: the Asia Policy Program, the Clements Center for National Security, and the Strauss Center for International Security and Law.

If you need an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the event sponsor or the Texas Law Special Events Office at specialevents@law.utexas.edu no later than seven business days prior to the event.

More information: https://law.utexas.edu/first-amendment-center/events/faith-and-the-party-freedom-and-state-power-in-china-today/

Sponsored by: Bech-Loughlin First Amendment Center

Details to follow.

If you need an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the event sponsor or the Texas Law Special Events Office at specialevents@law.utexas.edu no later than seven business days prior to the event.

Sponsored by: Bech-Loughlin First Amendment Center

Details to follow.

If you need an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the event sponsor or the Texas Law Special Events Office at specialevents@law.utexas.edu no later than seven business days prior to the event.

Sponsored by: Bech-Loughlin First Amendment Center

Details will be announced soon.

If you need an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the event sponsor or the Texas Law Special Events Office at specialevents@law.utexas.edu no later than seven business days prior to the event.

Sponsored by: Bech-Loughlin First Amendment Center

Details to follow.

If you need an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the event sponsor or the Texas Law Special Events Office at specialevents@law.utexas.edu no later than seven business days prior to the event.

Sponsored by: Bech-Loughlin First Amendment Center

Details to follow.

If you need an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the event sponsor or the Texas Law Special Events Office at specialevents@law.utexas.edu no later than seven business days prior to the event.