|
Home » News » Archives » ACLU Members from Across Illinois Converge on Champaign Committed to Defending the Constitution
ACLU Members from Across Illinois Converge on Champaign Committed to Defending the Constitution CHAMPAIGN - Nearly 300 ACLU of Illinois supporters from more than 75 cities and towns across Illinois will gather in Champaign on Saturday, April 9th with one goal - to defend American constitutional values. Concerned by recent governmental actions that violate America's most cherished constitutional protections: the surveillance of protestors by local police and federal law enforcement agencies, the unnecessary detention of hundreds of Arab and South Asian men after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and the adoption of the first-ever federal abortion ban (since struck down by three federal courts). The ACLU of Illinois convened the Emergency Summit of ACLU of Illinois Members Committed to Defending Our Constitution. Organized with the generous support of the Libra Foundation of Chicago, the April 9th Summit represents the most diverse gathering of ACLU members ever held in the State of Illinois. "We are inspired by the turnout of ACLU supporters from every corner of the State of Illinois," said ACLU of Illinois Executive Director Colleen Connell in advance of the Summit. "The event provides a unique opportunity for our members to create local strategies for addressing threats to our constitutional values. We expect a robust discussion at the Summit leading to a stronger, more effective statewide organization in the years ahead." The ACLU Summit convenes at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 9th, in the White Oaks Ballroom at the Hawthorn Suites and Convention Center in Champaign. The opening plenary session features ACLU supporters speaking directly to ACLU of Illinois Board and staff members about their concerns, priority issues and suggestions for future action. The wide-ranging session is intended to serve as a "town hall meeting" for the more than 300 persons expected to attend. A set of substantive discussion sessions will focus on specific civil liberties areas, including: Discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Persons; National Security and the Patriot Act; Racial and Ethnic Bias; Religious Liberty; Reproductive Freedom and the Treatment and Rights of Vulnerable Populations. The afternoon plenary session will feature a discussion on effective grassroots advocacy. Kate Stewart, a partner with the Washington-based communications firm Belden, Russanello and Stewart, will describe the latest research concerning public attitudes towards constitutional values and Tom Kacich, Editorial Page Editor of the Champaign News Gazette, will help de-mystify the process for submitting letters to the editor and editorial submissions to newspapers. "We are privileged to have communications' experts such as Kate Stewart and Tom Kacich join us," added Connell. "Now, more than ever, we must protect our constitutional values not only in court, not only in the legislature, but also in the court of public opinion. This session will be invaluable in the effort." The day-long Summit will end with a discussion of an immediate challenge, the debate over the renewal of provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act. The national debate over renewal of the most controversial portions of the Patriot Act began to take shape this week with two congressional hearings featuring Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and FBI Director Robert Mueller. Barry Hargrove, a 9/11 Organizer from the ACLU's National Legislative Office will update the Summit about developments in DC and discuss plans to communicate with members of the Illinois Congressional delegation. http://www.aclu-il.org/conference/ |
|
