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2011 Legislative Agenda The ACLU of Arizona hopes to make a dynamic debut at 1070 and the so-called “parents’ bill of rights,” a bill that Banned the Arizona Capitol next January. With the hiring of its first could further muddle the already blurred line between full-time lobbyist, Public Policy Director Anjali Abraham, church and state and make it harder for LGBT youth to we are eager to become a consistent and respected exercise their First Amendment rights of free speech and Books presence at the Arizona freedom of assembly. Both bills were signed into law, and Legislature. In the next session, many other failed bills from previous legislative sessions we will introduce a bill designed will likely stage a return to the Capitol in 2011. Among Week to improve the treatment of those failed bills: one that would require educators to On September 25, more than 100 Winter 2010 pregnant inmates in Arizona’s determine the citizenship status of their students – a people gathered at Madcap Theatre Standing Up for Freedom Volume 39 correctional facilities. The bill violation of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution Issue 4 in Tempe for a special screening of would significantly limit the use and Supreme Court precedent – and one that would give to of shackles on pregnant inmates. legal preference to married couples looking to adopt a Monty Python’s Life of Brian kick off Banned Books week. The The practice of shackling during child. Several lawmakers have already outlined plans to ACLU of Arizona teamed up with labor, delivery, the post-delivery whittle down the 14th Amendment by limiting “birthright Bookman’s for a free screening of the period, and transportation citizenship” to only U.S.-born children whose parents controversial film, whose depictions Anjali Abraham jeopardizes the health and safety were legal residents of the U.S. at the time of birth. This of organized religion have sparked of pregnant inmates and their unborn children. There interpretation of the 14th Amendment is belied by the controversy for more than thirty needs to be a meaningful standard so shackling is used plain language of the amendment itself and represents an years, to highlight the importance only in true public safety emergencies. Currently, the extraordinary assault on the U.S. Constitution. of free speech and the constant discretion to shackle lies largely with corrections officers threat of censorship. Michael Lacey, in individual settings. With the results of the November 2nd election, civil cofounder of the opened B 1070 was the biggest national liberties will remain under threat in Arizona. The ACLU-AZ New Times the event by reminding the audience story of 2010 and the intensified focus Several troublesome bills emerged from the last is committed to fighting attacks on civil liberties at the of the importance of free speech, on immigration issues clearly influenced legislative session. These include the well-known SB Legislature and in other policy-making venues. free expression, and a free press. His Sthe high-stakes midterm elections to humorous and captivating speech determine who would control Congress. outlined the role party politics played Elections, referendums, and court in the history of media censorship, decisions all affected our civil liberties ACLU of Arizona Immigrant Rights Advocate, Victoria Lopez, spoke about the issues and problems with immigrant You’reHoliday Open House this year. Consequently, the challenges from comic books to video games, at the new detention on October 28 at Arizona State University. The event presented , a multimedia project and opportunities of the coming year are Letters to a Detainee local and national threats to free ACLU of Arizona Offices that explores the experiences of Arizonans impacted by immigration detention. Lindsay Marshall, executive director of speech. even more important. Invited the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project spoke about detention and the immigration courts system as well. Governor Jan Brewer’s popularity surged Please help us L-R: Lindsay Marshall, Melissa Mundt, Letters to a Detainee Project Coordinator, Victoria Lopez, and Laura Belous, after she signed SB 1070 last spring, celebrate our move into Florence Project Fellow and Letters to a Detainee Project Coordinator. and that popularity carried her to her our new offices first full term as elected governor. Brewer won 55 percent of the vote to defeat Governor Jan Brewer, Tom Horne and Ken Bennett on election night. Photo by James King, Phoenix New Times. Democrat Terry Goddard’s 42 percent. In Sunday, December 5th fact, Arizona Republicans swept all major 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm statewide offices, including Attorney General, Secretary of State, State An Overview of Civil 3707 North 7th Street Treasurer, and Superintendent of Public Suite 235 Michael Lacey, cofounder of New Times, Instruction. SB 1070 no doubt played a Phoenix, 85014 refers to the internet as the next battleground significant role in at least some of these Liberties in the Wake for the fight for free speech.Photo by Bette races. The GOP also picked up seats in Sharpe, . Glendale Daily Planet the state Legislature. Republicans will Meet our board, staff have at least 21 seats in the 30-member of Midterm Elections and other ACLU of Senate and at least 37 seats in the Arizona members 60-member House of Representatives. ASU Civil Rights Club Many legislative candidates campaigned under new leadership next year and Cuomo, in New York’s gubernatorial Hors d’oeuvres and heavily on their support for SB 1070 and several new governors and legislators will race. Additionally, Sharron Angle, whose refreshments will be served On October 26, the ASU Civil Rights a “no amnesty” approach to immigration. take the helm in their respective states. campaign aired commercials designed to Club, a university chapter of the While the outcomes of some of these mine fear of and hatred toward Latinos, Please RSVP ACLU of Arizona, hosted a Know The repercussions of the gubernatorial races should cause dismay for those lost her bid to unseat Harry Reid in to Lindsay Nordstrom at: Your Rights event on the Tempe and legislative races in Arizona for the who care about civil liberties, there were Nevada. [email protected] campus. More than thirty college ACLU’s work are undeniable. While some successes worth championing. or 602-650-1854 x105 students eagerly asked questions the ACLU of Arizona has found allies in There were, for example, notable victories Although the midterm elections of about alcohol, dorm rooms, both parties over the years, the tone for openly LGBT lawmakers in Congress. 2010 are now complete, voters will biking, and warrantless searches. of each Legislature has become more Barney Frank (MA), Tammy Baldwin (WI), get little reprieve from the contentious Commander Jim Hardina of the ASU extreme in recent years and this trend and Jared Polis (C) all survived their re- electioneering of the last several months. IN THis issuE Campus Police Department provided is only becoming more pronounced. election bids. And David Cicilline, who is The 2010 election is over, but the race students with examples of common Compromise will be a rarity at the Capitol openly gay, won a congressional seat in for 2012 has now begun. And for the first ACLU of Arizona Board interactions with police officers on and the threat to civil liberties, especially Rhode Island’s First District. Likewise, time in our 50-year history, the ACLU of 3 Election Ballots and off campus and information on the freedoms of the most vulnerable some candidates who resorted to fear- Arizona will have a consistent presence at 2011 Legislative Agenda how to file a complaint against an and maligned populations, must not be mongering and appealing to prejudice the Arizona State Legislature. I welcome 4 addresses threats to civil officer. ACLU of Arizona staff attorney underestimated. failed to win the big prize. Carl Paladino, your questions and comments. Please liberties Annie Lai answered students’ who sent blatantly racist emails to feel free to contact me anytime at Banned Books Week kicks questions about when and if they There was also substantial upheaval friends and made outlandish and rather [email protected]. 4 off with Michael Lacey must comply with police requests throughout the rest of the nation. The bizarre comments about gay people, and when they could exercise their U.S. House of Representatives will be was trounced by his opponent, Andrew Anjali Abraham, Director of Public Policy right to remain silent. Students left with a clearer understanding of their rights on and off campus when they encounter law enforcement, and were equipped with resources to protect and defend those rights. AZ Phoenix, Postage Paid Postage Periodicals PO Box 17148, Phoenix AZ 85011 AZ Phoenix 17148, Box PO Civil Liberties in Arizona Arizona of Union Liberties Civil American four Visit us at www.acluaz.org Alice Bendheim Message from Board President Roberto Reveles ACLU-AZ Members: I have been a member of the ACLU since 1954, and of the Arizona affiliate since its beginning. I have been President, Secretary and Treasurer of the affiliate, and served on the National Board of Directors for many years. I was elected to the National Advisory Council in 2009. I have Please Vote been a cooperating attorney, representing prisoners in a number of ACLU cases, and participating in free speech and reproductive freedom This past year has been a year of incredible challenge of committing to work even harder in support of the civil cases. I am a member of the Legal Panel and I am active in fund-raising. Because I believe the ACLU is the most important organization in the civil liberties challenges in my home liberties of this vulnerable community.