News & Commentary
On the Agenda: Week of October 15-18
Today marks day 15 of the partial government shutdown. And if that wasn't enough, things could get worse unless Congress acts quickly over the next 48 hours to raise the debt ceiling. Otherwise, the United States could begin to default on its debt. The worst-case scenario here is pretty dire: financial crisis and a global economy in recession, according to the head of the International Monetary Fund.
By By Matthew Harwood, Media Strategist, ACLU
Today We Honor Native Americans (And Not That Other Guy)
Today, there is a federal holiday in honor of Christopher Columbus, but in South Dakota, citizens celebrate Native American Day "dedicated to the remembrance of the great Native American leaders who contributed so much to the history of [their] state." South Dakota's unique celebration of Native Americans instead of Christopher Columbus is important and not without controversy. However, the controversy should be in celebrating Christopher Columbus.
By By Courtney Bowie, Racial Justice Program
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough!
On this date in 1979, at least 75,000 people participated in the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. The event marked the first time supporters of lesbian and gay rights came together for a national rally (at the time, the rights of transgender and bisexual people weren't widely recognized as part of the same struggle). March organizers announced five specific goals:
By By Amanda Goad, LGBT Project
It's a Good Day to Be a Woman in California
Originally posted by the ACLU of Northern California.
Today, I f
By By Phyllida Burlingame, ACLU of Northern California
This Week in Civil Liberties (10/11/2012)
The state police in which state used license plate readers to record plates of vehicles attending political rallies?
By By Rekha Arulanantham, ACLU
Freezing the Press
It’s been half a year since the Associated Press revealed a subpoena sweeping up phone metadata records for more than 20 of its lines, in offices where more than 100 reporters work, covering tens of thousands of newsgathering calls.
By By Gabe Rottman, Legislative Counsel, ACLU Washington Legislative Office
Breaking the Addiction to Incarceration: Weekly Highlights
Today, the U.S. has the highest incarceration rate of any country in the world. With over 2.3 million men and women living behind bars, our imprisonment rate is the highest it's ever been in U.S. history. And yet, our criminal justice system has failed on every count: public safety, fairness and cost-effectiveness. Across the country, the criminal justice reform conversation is heating up. Each week, we feature some of the most exciting and relevant news in overincarceration discourse that we've spotted from the previous week. Check back weekly for our top picks.
By By Alex Stamm, ACLU Center for Justice
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