Students in Hawai'i Argue National Security And Civil Liberties in ACLU-Sponsored Debate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HONOLULU–Should national security concerns take precedence over the exercise of civil liberties? That was the question posed to high school students at this year’s Lincoln/Douglas Debate co-sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai’i and Kamehameha Schools and held over the Thanksgiving weekend.

“”This kind of scholarly exercise raises student awareness about the Bill of Rights,”” said Vanessa Chong, Executive Director of the ACLU of Hawai’i. “”At a time when Americans are struggling to balance the principles of security with civil liberties, there seems no better topic to debate.””

The debate — which takes its name from two great American orators, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas — draws high school teams from Hawai’i and the mainland. It is part of several speech and debate events at the tournament hosted by the Kamehameha Schools.

Historic confrontations and fiery exchanges took place between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in 1858 when Lincoln sought to unseat the Senator from Illinois. Though he lost the election, Lincoln emerged as an orator of national stature.

The ACLU presented awards of U.S. Savings Bonds in championship and novice divisions of $200 and $100 first place, $100 and $75 second place, $50 third and fourth places, respectively.

The winners were: Championship:
1st Sarah Damerville ‘Iolani
2nd Amanda Chew Kahuku
3rd Chad Shomura Roosevelt
4th Nicole Wilson ‘Iolani

Novice:
1st Daniel Lee Kamehameha
2nd Mark Alexander ‘Iolani
3rd Natalie Kamauoha Kahuku
4th Lara Malins ‘Iolani