February Hot Topics will feature author Gilbert King and his book Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America.
It is the story of four young African Americans falsely accused of rape in Groveland, Florida in 1949. The book won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction literature.
First Amendment Foundation board member Bob Shaw will discuss with King the critical role access to vital court and government information played in investigating and writing Devil in the Grove and the importance of the Open Records Law, which ensures access to information.
Senior Judge Emerson R. Thompson Jr., will lead the discussion. In 1993 Judge Thompson was appointed to the 5th District Court of Appeals and served as chief judge from 2000 to 2003. Previously, he was a trial judge in the 9th Judicial Court and served as chief judge from 1989 to 1991.
Copies of King’s book will be on sale at Hot Topics, and he will be available for signing.
We are expecting this Hot Topics to be very popular so urge you to book early.