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Home » E-newsletter » Archives » March 31, 2004
March 31, 2004 ACLU of Illinois E-News 03.31.04 ACLU Begins Trial Challenging First Ever Federal Ban on Abortion In what some have called the most significant challenge to reproductive rights since the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, federal judges in New York, Nebraska and San Francisco began hearing challenges this week to federal ban on so-called partial birth abortion. The law, written so vaguely as to bar many of the most safe and most prevalent abortions as early as 12 weeks, was approved by Congress and signed by President Bush late last year. In the New York case, the ACLU is acting as counsel for the National Abortion Federation. ACLU of Illinois Reproductive Rights Project Director Lorie Chaiten is serving as a co-counsel in the New York case and will be present throughout the trial. You can read more about the challenge to this federal abortion ban at http://www.aclu.org/campaigns/campaignslist.cfm?c=250. John Knight Joins ACLU of Illinois Staff An accomplished attorney with more than a decade of experience advocating on behalf of individuals fighting discrimination has joined the American Civil Liberties Union as part of the organization's continuing efforts to advance equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons and people in the HIV-impacted communities. John A. Knight, formerly a trial attorney for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, begins his position as Director of the ACLU of Illinois Lesbian and Gay Rights/AIDS Project on March 22nd. Mr. Knight also will serve as a Midwest regional attorney for the National ACLU's Lesbian and Gay Rights and AIDS Projects. In this unique position, Mr. Knight will work with the national office of the ACLU to assist ACLU affiliates across the Midwest region in confronting bias and discrimination in those states. You can read more about John and his new position by going to http://www.aclu-il.org/news/press/000155.shtml. The Date is Drawing Near! ACLU of Illinois to Host Breakfast in Washington D.C. as Part of the March for Women's Lives! The date is drawing near for your opportunity to gather with others and show your support for reproductive freedom! The ACLU of Illinois is putting together a delegation from the state to participate in the national March for Women's Lives, scheduled for Sunday April 25th on the National Mall in Washington. We believe the March provides a critical opportunity for men, women, children and families to make clear to legislators and policy-makers in Washington that the vast majority Americans want unfettered access to a full range of health care services for women -- including abortion services. As part of this important event, the ACLU of Illinois has scheduled a pre-March breakfast with members of the Illinois congressional delegation, beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the Renaissance Hotel, 999 Ninth Avenue in Washington. You can learn more about the March and make reservations for the breakfast at http://www.aclu-il.org/marchforwomen/. New Event: ACLU of Illinois to Join with Chicago Historical Society to Mark 50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education The ACLU of Illinois is pleased to be joining with the Chicago Historical Society as a co-sponsor of a special event to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the historic Brown v. Board of Education, calling for equality in education for all races in our nation. ACLU of Illinois Legal Director Harvey Grossman will be a keynote speaker at the event, scheduled for Monday, May 17 at 7:00 p.m. at the Chicago Historical Society. More information will follow. If you would like more information, email us at acluofillinois@aclu-il.org. |
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