The ACLU of Idaho works hard to defend civil liberties throughout Idaho through litigation, legislation, and public education. Education is an integral part of protecting civil rights, allowing us to reach out and connect with Idaho's communities. It is important for citizens to know which civil liberties issues affect them locally, and how they can become involved. As often as our resources allow, we host educational events such as brown bag luncheons or evening presentations; speak at rallies; visit local schools to answer students' questions about their rights; and participate in local radio programs to name a few. Our office also keeps an inventory of many informative booklets and cards. Here are a few:
See Monica Hopkins' speech at the rally in January, in which she calls on President Obama to honor his promise to the LGBT community to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Go now!
ACLU of IDAHO STATEWIDE EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
Click Here for a full list of ACLU events, rallies, and more.
Here is a sample of what we've been working on so far in 2010.
January 23, 2010 – “Take a Seat and Make a Stand,” Annual Banquet, Boise
The ACLU presented Joseph McNeil, member of the Greensboro Four, as the keynote speaker for this event. As freshmen at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College, Mr. McNeil and three of his friends asked for service at a segregated lunch counter in Greensboro, N.C. on Feb. 1, 1960. Upon being refused service, the four students remained at the counter for the remaining hours of business. The next day they returned with more students and resumed their peaceful sit-in. As a member of the Greensboro Four, Mr. McNeil helped launch the sit-in movement that hastened the demise of segregation and sped the passage of two critical pieces of legislation: the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. The event also included a live auction.
March 6, 2010 – To Kill a Mockingbird Performance, The Big Read, Boise
In honor of the Big Read, the ACLU of Idaho teamed up with Stage Coach Theatre and Ada Community Library to contribute to an event that encourages our community to read a book together, explore ideas and themes, and learn about civil rights. The performance was based on Harper Lee's famous coming-of-age novel about the workings and prejudices of a small southern town, and was followed by a discussion on civil rights presented by the ACLU of Idaho.
March 11, 2010 – ICC Lawsuit
The ACLU of Idaho filed a class action lawsuit, charging that officials at the Idaho Correctional Center promote and facilitate a culture of rampant violence that has led to carnage and suffering among prisoners at the state-owned facility operated by the for-profit company, Corrections Corporation of America.
May 14, 2010 - Seminar for the Idaho Association of Paralegals: “USC Section 42 – 1983 Cases,” Boise
Staff Attorney, Lea Cooper, spoke about various jail conditions cases she has handled around the state as well as what constitutes a civil rights violation outside of the prison or jail setting. The discussion illustrated the different settings in which anyone’s civil liberties could be at risk. Lea also gave a brief history of Section 1983 litigation and what it means for an evolving society. She described how to plead a claim, who is protected by the statute (and who isn’t), what rights are protected and gave examples of inquiries the ACLU receives.
May 18, 2010 – Panel discussion at the U.S. District Court: “Handling Prisoner Civil Rights Cases in Federal Court,” Boise
The panel included Janis Dotson (Federal Court Staff Attorney), Paul Panther (Idaho Deputy Attorney General) and Lea Cooper (ACLU Staff Attorney). The event was sponsored by the Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program, the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho and the Federal Bar Association. There were three perspectives presented: the uniqueness of prisoner cases from the Court’s point of view; special concerns in representing prisoners from the point of view of Plaintiffs’ Counsel and an overview of frequently-litigated prisoner claims from Defense Counsel’s point of view.
April 6, 2010 – Blues, Brews and Bills, Boise
embers and supporters joined the ACLU in BODO at Solid, as Legislative Director, Hannah Brass, gave a rundown of the 2010 legislative session and what individuals can do to get involved.
April 12, 2010 – “Above the Law? Torture, Detention, and the Question of Accountability,” Moscow
Sponsored by the College of Law's ACLU Club, Ben Wizner, staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union’s National Security Project, discussed the impacts and implications of U.S. torture policies in his lecture, “Above the Law? Torture, Detention, and the Question of Accountability,” at the University of Idaho College of Law.
June 19, 2010 – Pride, Boise
Monica Hopkins gave the keynote address at the Boise Pride rally, discussing a longitudinal study on lesbian parenting that showed children did psychologically better in lesbian households due to increased parental involvement, Repealing DADT, the Student Non-Discrimination Act and the ACLU of Idaho’s work to amend the Idaho Human Rights Act
August 22, 2010 - Civil Rights Film Series:The Least of These, Boise
Held at the Flicks, The Least of These explores one the most controversial aspects of the American immigration policy: Family detention.
September 18, 2010 - Cocktails & Conversations, Ketchum
Guests were invited to join the ACLU of Idaho board and staff for hors d'oeuvres, libations, and a discussion of civil liberties.
September 19, 2010 - Civil Rights Film Series: Shouting Fire - Stories from the Edge of Free Speech, Boise
Held at the Flicks, this documentary explores both current and historic examples of cases in which the limits of free speech have been explored.
NATIONAL TELEVISION
The Freedom Files television series draws on the power of true stories to highlight vital civil liberties issues of our time and inspire viewers to take action. These half-hour documentaries feature the firsthand accounts of real people who have taken on the powers that be, often at great risk to themselves, in order to preserve their precious constitutional rights.
