Long term/short term changes to Hillsboro

The decision to hold the trial in Hillsboro causes many changes to the town, both long term and short term. The short term transformation of the small, sleepy Southern town into a bustling, town-fair like atmosphere happens almost immediately. It seems inevitable that media will follow this court case and therefore the citizens of the town wanted to make it seem as warm and welcoming as possible. They enhanced the true identity of the town by purposely displaying happy, religious supporting people. Lemonade and hot dog stands are put up along with bible sellers and other Church supporting signs. Yet, the impacts of the trial on this town are much more than the outside transformation for the press. The town is "as much on trial as the individual defendant." Hillsboro represents all of the small, Southern towns, and as the media looms upon it, It must prove to the rest of the world that they are correct. Everything about the town will be put under scrutiny, from the schools to the judge to the condition of the courthouse. If the defendant is proven innocent it will change the whole town drastically, not only will the schools' science classes have to be restructured, but the whole religious community will be offended and dishonored. By having this case tried is Hillsboro the community is putting its whole way of life on trial. They are opening their daily lives to the rest of the world and proving that they are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in.