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Home » E-newsletter » Archives » April 30, 2004
April 30, 2004 ACLU of Illinois E-News 04.30.04 U.S. Supreme Court Takes Up Key Cases On Wednesday, April 28th, the Supreme Court of the United States heard arguments in two cases that raise the same, troubling question: Can the President of the United States order the indefinite detention of a U.S. citizen without charges or conviction based solely on the assertion that the individual is involved in terrorism? The cases involve two U.S. citizens -- Yaser Hamdi and Jose Padilla -- who have been detained for two years in a military brig without charges. The National Office of the ACLU filed an amicus curiae brief in both cases challenging the President's assertion of unilateral authority to act without judicial review or respect for constitutional norms. In speaking about these critical cases, ACLU National Legal Director Steven Shapiro argued "(o)ur system of checks and balances was designed to ensure that individual liberty does not rest on the good faith of government officials and to place limits on the exercise of government authority." You can read more about the case by going to http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?ID=15546&c=206. March for Women's Health is Huge Success The Sunday, April 25th March for Women's Health in Washington, DC was a great success for the national March organizers and for the ACLU of Illinois. Hundreds of thousands (best estimates approach one million) of families, friends and activists took part in a respectful, civilized and well-organized event that drew attention to the real threat of further government intervention in a woman's most intimate decision -- if and when to become a parent. On the morning of the March, more than 200 ACLU of Illinois members, supporters and donors gathered for a kick-off breakfast featuring remarks by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and ACLU National Washington Office Director Laura Murphy. We are grateful to everyone who participated in the March and in our breakfast event. You sent a strong message to leaders in Washington and beyond about the need to protect reproductive freedom throughout our country and beyond. ACLU of Illinois to Cosponsor Event Marking 50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education The ACLU of Illinois is joining with the Chicago Historical Society and Catalyst Chicago to sponsor a program marking the 50th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision. The program is scheduled for Monday, May 17th at 7:00 p.m. at the Chicago Historical Society located at Clark Street and North Avenue in Chicago. The evening is designed to spark thinking and discussion about the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision, what it meant for communities at that time, what it means to the Chicago community today and what work remains to be completed to make the goal of equality in education a reality for all Americans. ACLU of Illinois Legal Director Harvey Grossman will deliver a keynote address, titled "Original Intent and Limitation of the Promise." A panel discussion and audience participation will follow. Everyone is welcome to attend. Mark your calendar today. New Event: University of Chicago Law Student ACLU Chapter to Host Discussion on Electronic Voting The University of Chicago Law Student ACLU chpater and a number of other campus organizations have scheduled a panel discussion on the intersection of technology and balloting, titled "The Electronic Vote." The event features a host of experts on voting rights and electronic voting systems, including Professor Carolyn Shapiro who worked on the ACLU of Illinois challenge to the use of punch card ballots in our state. The program takes place on Tuesday, May 4th, beginning at 8:00 p.m. at the Harper Library, Room 130 at 1116 East 59th Street on the University of Chicago campus. All are welcome to attend. |
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