- ACLU-MI Challenges Funeral Protest Law on Behalf of Army Veteran
- Victory for Escanaba Woman Jailed for Being Poor
- ACLU-MI Alarmed by Arrests for Loitering at Detroit High School
- Viagra, Yes; Birth Control, No? Talk Back on the ACLU of Michigan Blog
- Local Events: Our crumbling public defense system, the school-to-prison pipeline and more
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Victory for Escanaba Woman Jailed for Being Poor
April 1, 2009
DETROIT - The ACLU of Michigan has obtained the release of an Escanaba woman sentenced to 30 days in jail because she is too poor to reimburse the court for her son’s stay in a juvenile detention facility.
“Like many people in these desperate economic times, Ms. Nowlin was laid off from work, lost her home and is destitute,” said Michael J. Steinberg, ACLU of Michigan Legal Director. “Jailing her because of her poverty is not only unconstitutional, it’s unconscionable and a shameful waste of resources. It is not a crime to be poor in this country and the government must stop resurrecting debtor’s prisons from the dustbin of history.” Read the full story here >>
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Michigan’s Funeral Protest Law Is Unconstitutional, ACLU Says In Federal Lawsuit
April 1, 2009
DETROIT - The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan filed a federal lawsuit today on behalf of an army veteran and his late wife who were arrested in 2007 for taking part in the funeral procession of a friend while displaying signs in their van that were critical of the President and U.S. policy. The lawsuit was filed against Clare County and two sheriff’s deputies who arrested Lewis and Jean Lowden for violating a 2006 state law that makes it a felony to “adversely affect” a funeral.
For several years, the Lowdens taped homemade signs critical of former President George W. Bush and U.S. policy to the inside windows of their van. However, in September 2007, they were arrested when they drove their van with these signs in the funeral procession of their close friend, Corporal Todd Motley, who was killed in action in Iraq. The Lowdens were friends of Cpl. Motley’s family for 15 years; in fact, Jean homeschooled Cpl. Motley in high school and Lewis regularly took him camping and fishing. Read the full story here >>
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ACLU-MI Alarmed By Recent Arrests of 49 Students at a Detroit High School
ACLU Calls on Parents to Contact the Organization
March 11, 2009
DETROIT - The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan announced today that it launching an investigation into the hallway sweep conducted by the Detroit Police Department at Central High School that resulted in the arrest of 35 boys and 14 girls for “loitering.” The organization is calling on arrested students and their families who attend Central High School to contact the ACLU of Michigan to determine whether legal challenges are appropriate. Affected CHS students and their families can contact the ACLU of Michigan at 313-578-6800 or www.aclumich.org/get-help/submit-complaint.
“This appears to be a prime example of the school-to-prison pipeline. These kids already face great challenges, and now they may be faced with having to explain these arrests to future employers and schools," said Mark P. Fancher, ACLU of Michigan’s Racial Justice Project Staff Attorney. Read the full story here >>
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Viagra, Yes; Birth Control, No? Talk Back to Us on Our Blog!
March 25, 2009
Roe v Wade is still the law of the land, but anti-choice forces have their hands in pharmacies and health insurance companies. Tell us what you think about "religious refusals" and "contraceptive equity." Read ACLU of Michigan Legislative Director Shelli Weisberg's blog posting here >>
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Local Event Calendar - Don't Miss These ACLU Events Coming to a Town Near You!
April 3, 2009 - "Citizen Ruth" film screening and discussion, Kalamazoo
April 15, 2009 - Civil Libertarian of the Year event honoring PROACTIVE, Grand Rapids
April 16, 2009 - "The State of Indigent Defense in Michigan," Lansing
April 16, 2009 - Flint Branch Annual Meeting, Flint
April 16, 2009 - "Michigan's Throwaway Kids," Kalamazoo
April 17, 2009 - "Milagros - Made in Mexico" film screening and discussion, Detroit
April, 28, 2009 - "A Generation Left Behind: The School-to-Prison Pipeline," Detroit
April 28, 2009 - Washtenaw Branch Annual Meeting, Ann Arbor
April 29, 2009 - Tigers vs Yankees with the ACLU of Michigan Detroit Branch, Detroit
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