Seattle Now The Constitution, read by we the people, at UW
Nov 3, 2025
Cass Hartnett, U.S. Documents Librarian at the University of Washington, discusses the importance of the annual public reading of the U.S. Constitution. She explains how this tradition fosters civic engagement and highlights voting rights across history. Cass emphasizes that the Constitution is a living document meant to evolve. Listeners share personal connections to the text, reflecting on its emotional weight and current relevance. Hartnett encourages everyone to understand the Constitution's language for a deeper civic understanding.
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Participant Finds Comfort In Reading
- Malabika Jaganathan has read at the UW event since 2019 and tries each year to get the First Amendment.
- She finds comfort and collective power in participating and hearing amendments aloud.
Reading Reaffirms Civic Belief
- Participants say reading the Constitution reaffirms faith in American ideals despite disagreeing with current politics.
- Naturalized citizens describe the document as a reminder of the country's promise and their personal connection to it.
Longtime Attendee Moved By The Document
- Judy Howard has returned almost since the beginning and feels moved by the Constitution during polarized times.
- She attends because she believes the document should be upheld even when current politics feel troubling.