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June 2008 Archives

Tell Congress: Don't Compromise on the Constitution!
June 18, 2008

As you read this, a deal is in the works to "compromise" with the Bush Administration on FISA reforms. Behind the scenes, some legislators are agreeing to new provisions that amount to blanket amnesty for lawbreaking telecoms that handed over private customer records without a warrant.

Will you stand up for the Rule of Law?

The sham spying deal could be rammed through both the Senate and House this week. It's moving that fast. If we don't stop this, telecom companies that broke the law by supplying mountains of personal information to the government without a warrant will be let off the hook. And we may never find out the details of the Bush Administration's illegal warrantless wiretapping programs.

Act now - Tell your legislators you demand accountability, not immunity.
  • Send a free fax today, telling your legislator to stand firm against sham compromises that sell out our civil liberties.

  • Call Barack Obama and urge him to make a public statement reiterating his opposition to telco amnesty. His opposition could kill this deal: Phone (202) 224-2854, Fax (202) 228-4260

  • Call Steny Hoyer and tell him this is a bad deal: Phone (202) 225-4131, Fax (202) 225-4300

  • Call Nancy Pelosi and urge her to pull the bill from the House schedule: Phone (202) 225-4965, Fax (202) 225-8259
read more »


Show your PRIDE in the ACLU!!!
June 11, 2008

Chicago Pride Parade 2007

The Chicago Pride Parade will take place on Sunday, June 29th.

We always have a great time, and everyone is welcome. We usually have a great mix of families, singles, straight folks and LGBT folks alike. All ACLU marchers receive a FREE ACLU T-SHIRT, water, snacks, and statue of liberty headgear! Feel free to bring your friends.

The parade assembles on Halsted Street, south of Belmont, and we step off on the parade route between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. The atmosphere is electric, and the people are always fun, especially the ACLU crowd.

Interested in being part of our contingent? Just e-mail Nick Rutan to RSVP. read more »


Judge Extends Moment of Silence Ban to all Illinois schools
June 02, 2008

On Thursday, May 30th, U.S. District Judge Robert W. Gettleman issued an order ending a mandated "moment of silence" in public schools around Illinois. The "Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act", passed by the Illinois general assembly over a veto by Governor Rod Blagovich, went into effect last October. According to the Chicago Tribune:
The preliminary injunction issued by Gettleman in March had applied not only to District 214 but to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Attorneys said that could be interpreted to mean that moments of silence already were barred statewide.

But the state board had maintained it had no authority to enforce such an injunction, leaving it unclear as to how the measure applied.

Attorneys said that under Gettleman's latest order anyone with legal standing could ask the court to hold a school district in contempt if it insisted on going forward with moments of silence. Many school administrators already had said the law is too ill-defined to enforce.
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