The importance of free speech and its implications will be the focus of an event on Feb. 22 sponsored by the Office of Inclusive Excellence.

“A Celebration of Free Speech” will take place from 5-8 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre in the Center for the Arts, North Campus. It’s presented by the Office of Equity and Belonging and the Office of Student Affairs in the School of Law.

The event will include light refreshments, student performances, a voter registration drive and a panel discussion and Q&A featuring Athena Mutua, professor of law and the Floyd H. & Hilda L. Hurst Faculty Scholar in the School of Law; Buffalo Common Council member Mitchell Nowakowski; and the Rev. Mark Blue, president of the Buffalo Chapter of the NAACP.

Law students Serena Brahaspat and Deja Graham will moderate the discussion.

Attendees can register online.