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Home » E-newsletter » Archives » September 30, 2003
September 30, 2003 ACLU of Illinois E-News 9.30.03 Tomorrow Oct. 1st Set to be a Big Day in Chicago, Cook County As the calendar turns to October, we see two important events on the calendar for the ACLU of Illinois. Tomorrow morning, the Chicago City Council is expected to vote on a resolution calling on Congress to repeal parts of the Patriot Act and other executive actions taken by the Bush Administration in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks that infringe upon basic constitutional rights and civil liberties. If you want to read more about the effort and see a copy of the resolution itself, please go here. Also tomorrow, Cook County begins its Domestic Partner Registry program. Harvey Grossman, ACLU of Illinois Legal Director served on the Advisory Committee that assisted in the drafting and passage of this ordinance. Beginning tomorrow morning, same sex couples in Cook County can register their relationship by filling out an affadavit in the County Clerk's Office. A reception celebrating the new program is scheduled for tomorrow morning, from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., at Pettrino's Restaurant, located near the County Building. Representatives of the ACLU of Illinois will be there to distribute critical information for couples who register tomorrow. ACLU Challenges Protest Policies at Presidential Events On September 23rd, the ACLU National office filed a nationwide lawsuit challenging policies of the Secret Service that discriminate against protestors at presidential events across the nation. According to the ACLU legal filing, local police, acting at the behest of the Secret Service, moved those persons who expressed views in opposition to the government further away from public officials (while governmental supporters were moved closer) or moved all persons expressing a view into "protest zones" that were far away from any governmental official. You can read more about the lawsuit here. A Great Discussuion About Homeland Security Chicago's Victory Garden Theater is preparing to stage a new production titled, Homeland Security. The play, written by local author Stuart Flack, the play is described as "a contemporary drama about a second generation Indian doctor and his American girlfriend, who are detained for questioning at O'Hare after returning from a vacation overseas. Post 9/11 paranoia. The emotional and social costs of unrestricted access to personal information. The meaning of patriot. These are just a few of today's hot-button issues brought forth in Homeland Security." In conjunction with the play, Victory Gardens Theater will be hosting a special discussion on the post-9/11 issues. The event, scheduled for Wednesday, November 12th, will feature Harvey Grossman, Legal Director of the ACLU of Illinois. You can learn more about the free event by going here. ACLU of Illinois to Honor Six at BRC It is not too early to think about the annual Bill of Rights Celebration event. The tickets for this event go quickly each year, and the speeches by BRC awardess always are inspiring. If you want to read more about the BRC awardees, their contributions to the cause of civil liberties and get information about the event, you can go here. |
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