Ep. 120 ‘Mighty Ira’ Glasser

Former ACLU Executive Director Ira Glasser discusses the new film about his life and career, “Mighty Ira: A Civil Liberties Story.”

The film, now in “virtual cinema,” makes the case for robust free speech protections amidst the “tough” cases, including the 1978 Skokie case and Charlottesville. Along the way, viewers will also learn about Glasser’s growing up in Brooklyn, his friendship with William F. Buckley Jr., his path to the ACLU, which led through Senator Bobby Kennedy’s office, and more.

A May 2017 So to Speak interview with Glasser was the inspiration for the Mighty Ira documentary, and this interview is a reflection on some of what has happened since.

Show notes:

• Transcript
• MightyIra.com
• Watch Mighty Ira in virtual cinema through Angelika Film Center
• “Traveling Hopefully,” 1981 documentary about ACLU Founder Roger Baldwin
• “Inherit the Wind,” 1960 film about ACLU “Scopes monkey trial” case
• Watch-along episode as Co-Director Nico Perrino narrates Mighty Ira

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