24 Oct
With the COVID pandemic waning, Discovering Justice is excited to welcome more community members back to the Moakley Courthouse. Since July, more than 200 people have visited for tours to hear about the architecture, art, and history of the building.
In the hour-long tours, guides explore major themes that examine the tensions inherent in the architecture and workings of the Courthouse such as: transparency vs. security, historical precedence vs. current society, and tradition vs. creativity. In addition, tour guides urge visitors to explore the question, âWhat is justice and how can I use my voice to advocate for it?â
âHaving a civic space like the Moakley is foundational to a democracy and our tours provide the community members with the opportunity to dive deep into the history and workings of the justice system,â said Kiara Batista, Discovering Justice Courthouse Programs Associate.
Hannah Weiser, an adjunct professor at Babson College who brought in a group of business school students to the Moakley remarked, âThe court visit provided an opportunity to engage with the law in a unique manner that is unparalleled to the classroom. The students and faculty found the experience to be extremely valuable.â
With more interest in tours, Discovering Justice is adding more volunteer docents to conduct tours. âWe want to expand our capacity to give tours and diversify our pool from college students to retirees and to people of all backgrounds,â said Batista.
With the help of our growing set of docents, the organization looks forward to bringing in more than 1,000 adults and students of all ages to the courthouse this year for tours. To schedule a tour for you or your group, fill out this form or email kbatista@discoveringjustice.org.
