“This is my prayer for the rule of law,” Professor Jody Freeman told students gathered at today’s forum. She expressed hope that law students will act to mitigate threats to the rule of law in our democracy. Freeman voiced deep concern about what she perceives as an imbalance of power among our three branches of government due to an increasingly powerful executive branch and a less-active Congress. The loss of essential friction between the executive and legislative branches, Freeman argued, is undermining the rule of law. She called students to action, suggesting that they volunteer at polling places, contribute to nonprofit efforts, and contact their elected officials demanding legislative effort. As lawyers, they will soon have the obligation to stand against breaches of the rule of law. The burden of preserving our democracy falls on all of us, Freeman insisted, reminding attendees, “Accountability is the heart and soul of democracy!”
