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Home » E-newsletter » Archives » July 15, 2004
July 15, 2004 ACLU of Illinois E-News 07.15.04 Defeat for Discrimination: Senate Rejects Dangerous Marriage Amendment After several days of debate, proponents of the so-called Federal Marriage Amendment proved unable to convince a majority of Senators to continue the debate on the measure that would have -- for the first time in our nation's history -- written discrimination into our Constitution. It was a sweet defeat! To read the national ACLU reaction to the vote go to http://www.aclu.org/LesbianGayRights/LesbianGayRights.cfm?ID=16098&c=101. In the days leading up to the vote, the ACLU of Illinois was outspoken in its criticism of the biased effort. John Knight, Director of the ACLU of Illinois GLBT Rights Project, sent a letter to Illinois' two U.S. Senators urging them to oppose the amendment. To read John's letter go to http://www.aclu-il.org/news/press/000196.shtml. Finally, John also authored an opinion piece supporting marriage equality for the Springfield State Journal Register that ran on Monday, July 12th. To read that piece, click http://www.aclu-il.org/news/archives/000197.shtml. Patriot Act Developments The controversy and debate nationally about the use by the Bush Administration of the USA PATRIOT Act continues uninterrupted. On July 8th, the U.S. House of Representatives barely defeated a measure that would have limited the Department of Justice from intruding upon the privacy of persons in the United States without probable cause. Specifically, the measure -- advanced by a bipartisan group of House members - would have kept federal law enforcement officials from using certain parts of the Patriot Act to investigate reading materials obtained at libraries and bookstores. The House defeated the amendment on a 210 to 210 vote -- but that is just the beginning of the story. When the original time limit for the vote ended, the measure had been approved by several votes; Republican leaders, however, kept the vote open for another half hour while they "twisted arms" to get enough members to change their votes in order to achieve the tie. To read the ACLU's response to the vote go to http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?ID=16074&c=206. On July 13th, the Attorney General submitted a report to Congress on the ways in which the government is using the Patriot Act. Problem is, the report actually omits information on how some of the most controversial provisions are being used -- including Section 215 and the provision authorizing "sneak and peek" warrants. To read the ACLU's response to the Ashcroft report go to http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?ID=16092&c=262. Northalsted Market Days - August 7th & 8th We're calling for volunteers to help staff our booth at Northalsted Marketdays, an outdoor street fair with music, food, and information booths. Volunteers will talk to people about ACLU, sign them up to our e-mail lists, and sell memberships and t-shirts. We encourage everyone to join us. It's a fun festival and a great opportunity to get to know fellow ACLU members. If you're interested, e-mail ysotelo@aclu-il.org. A Night at the Theater with the ACLU of Illinois and Chicago's Second City -- See the Production of "Weddings of Mass Destruction" Second City Theatricals and GayCo Productions are proud to present "Weddings of Mass Destruction," an all new sketch comedy revue at Victory Gardens Theater (2257 N. Lincoln Ave). On Sunday, August 8th at 3:30 p.m., the performance will include a recognition and information about the ACLU of Illinois. Tickets are only $15 (this is not an ACLU fundraiser) and can be reserved at (773) 871-3000. With Gay Marriage and the Constitution hanging by a thread, a looming Presidential Election and Clay Aiken becoming Barry Manilow, there's never been a better time for GayCo's piercing satire. Directed by Second City alum Jim Zulevic, "Weddings of Mass Destruction" presents a hilarious assortment of sketches, scenes and songs tackling and tickling the pressing issues of today. A Night at the Theater with Second City -- "Weddings of Mass Destruction" Second City Theatricals and GayCo Productions are proud to present "Weddings of Mass Destruction," an all new sketch comedy revue, July 8 - August 15, 2004 at Victory Gardens Theater (2257 N. Lincoln Ave). With Gay Marriage and the Constitution hanging by a thread, a looming Presidential Election and Clay Aiken becoming Barry Manilow, there's never been a better time for GayCo's piercing satire. Directed by Second City alum Jim Zulevic, "Weddings of Mass Destruction" presents a hilarious assortment of sketches, scenes and songs tackling and tickling the pressing issues of today. Tickets for "Weddings of Mass Destruction" are available by phone at 773-871-3000. Tickets are $15.00 with group rates available. Show schedule is as follows: Thursday at 8:30pm Friday at 8:30pm Saturday at 7:00pm and 9:30pm Sunday at 3:30pm |
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