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Protect The Right To Vote!
Posted 1/23/12 - H.B. 253, Voter Registration Amendments, could require the county clerk to remove YOU from the voting rolls if you choose not to vote in two consecutive general elections. Targeting a voter to be removed from voting rolls simply because he or she chooses not to vote in an election violates the federal National Voting Rights Act (NVRA) and could put Utah at risk of inviting costly litigation.
TAKE ACTION: Tell members of the House Political Subdivisions Subcommittee that the right to vote includes the right not to vote! >>
2012 Legislative Priorities Guide
Posted 1/19/12 - The 2012 Legislative Session is quickly approaching and the ACLU will be a constant presence on the Hill, working to protect civil liberties in our state. While the session is fast-paced and often brings about many surprises, some issues can be anticipated. The ACLU of Utah has identified priority areas that will be the focus of our work this session. These priorities include: Immigrants' Rights, Religious Liberty & Freedom of Belief, Participatory Democracy & Transparent Government, Reproductive Freedom, Equal Treatment & Equal Protection, Privacy & Technology, Criminal Justice Reform.
Download the full 2012 Legislative Priorities Guide (PDF) >>
Join the ACLU of Utah, Alliance for a Better Utah, Equality Utah, Enriching Utah Coalition, Planned Parenthood, and the Utah Aids Foundation, for an informative training in how to become an effective citizen lobbyist. The training will take place in the multipurpose room at the capitol building on Wednesday, January 18, 5:30 - 8 PM.
Download a flyer >>
More information >
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Deadline for Youth Activist Scholarship Applications is Monday, January 9
In its fifth year, the ACLU of Utah’s Youth Activist Scholarship seeks to recognize Utah high school seniors passionate about civil liberties – and who have taken a stand in their communities to show it!
Each year the program has awarded $1000 scholarships to three truly passionate young people who care about preserving civil liberties, and who have taken action to do just that.
Read more >>
Uintah County Begins Probe of Use of Excessive Force Against Haka Dancers
Posted 1/3/11 - Roosevelt police used pepper spray and batons on a group of football fans, who were performing a Polynesian victory dance known as the “Haka,” in the stands during an October 20 game between Roosevelt and Uintah High Schools. Roosevelt City conduct an investigation that found that the officers had acted within department policy and state law in the use of force. The ACLU of Utah found the report troubling and called on the Uintah County Attorney to conduct an independent investigation.
Read a Deseret News article >>
12 Days of Religious Liberty
In honor of our country’s proud history of promoting religious freedom, and the ACLU’s commitment to protecting the rights of all religious believers to practice their faith, this holiday season we are highlighting 12 cases we have brought on behalf of a variety of faiths defending religious liberty and the right to religious expression. Read more >>
Christmas and the ACLU >>
ACLU Defense of Religious Practice and Expression >>
The ACLU and Freedom of Religion and Belief >>
Proposed American Fork Non-Discrimination Ordinance Would Be First For Utah County
Posted 12/13/11 - In a letter to the Mayor of American Fork, the ACLU of Utah applauded proposed amendments to the Municipal Code that would prohibit employment and housing discrimination in the City of American Fork on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. If passed, American Fork would join a growing list of cities in Utah that recognize protection against discrimination on any basis is a basic right all Utahns are entitled to.
Read the letter (PDF) >>
Read more about the ACLU of Utah's work to support Non-Discrimination Ordinances around the state >>
Attention - Youth Activists Wanted
Posted 12/5/11 - As senior year progresses, high school seniors are faced with many tough decisions, including what to do after high school graduation. While dreaming of what to accomplish, what positive changes to make in this world, and what grand stamp they hope to leave upon it, even the most passionate and ambitious young people must also face a bit of reality. How to best accomplish the next step (in many cases, college!) in a financially-feasible way?
Read more >>
Duchesne County Attorney Should Independently Investigate Use of Excessive Force Against Haka Dancers, Says ACLU
Posted 12/5/11 - The ACLU of Utah (“the ACLU”) called upon the Duchesne County Attorney to conduct an independent investigation into a recent claim of excessive force by the Roosevelt Police Department (RPD). This claim arose from an interaction between the RPD and a group of football fans, who were performing a Polynesian victory dance known as the “Haka,” in the stands during an October 20 game between Roosevelt and Uintah High Schools.
Read the press release >>
High School Students & Parents: Know Your Rights!
Posted 12/2/11 - Join us on Thursday, December 8, for an informational presentation by the ACLU of Utah covering police presence in schools, racial profiling, searches and seizures. The presentation will be provided in english and spanish and will be followed by a question and answer session with ACLU of Utah attorneys. The event will begin at 6:00 pm at the Northwest Community Center in Salt Lake City.
Read more and download a flyer >>
Estudiantes De Secundaria Y Padres: ¡Conozcan Sus Derechos!
Para Más Información >>
Federal Judge Merges HB 497 Lawsuits, Postpones Hearing
Posted 11/28/11 - U.S. District Judge Waddoups has combined the lawsuit filed by the ACLU and allies with a recent lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice. The lawsuits challenge the constitutionality of HB 497, Utah's "Show me your papers law" and have a hearing scheduled for February 17, 2012.
Read a Deseret News article (11/28/11) >>
Read more about Utah Coalition of La Raza v. Herbert >>
ACTION ALERT: Senate Bill Allows Military to Detain American Citizens
Posted 11/28/11 - Senators are demanding that the military lock up American citizens in a “battlefield” they define as being right outside your window. TAKE ACTION! Demand that they respect the Constitution and SAY NO to indefinite detention without charge or trial!
Read more and take action >>
Department of Justice Joins HB 497 Lawsuit
Posted 11/22/11 - Today, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit echoing our challenge to the constitutionality of Utah's Arizona style "show me your papers law." By filing lawsuits in Arizona, Alabama, South Carolina and now here in Utah, the Department of Justice has sent a strong message that states should not attempt to usurp federal immigration laws with state legislation. Like we have seen in Alabama, these unconstitutional laws encourage racial profiling, lead to devastating humanitarian and economic consequences and negatively impact everyone, including many citizens and legal residents. Its encouraging to see that in addition to the racial profiling that HB 497 invites, the DOJ recognizes the serious constitutional implications of approaching our nation's immigration problems in a piecemeal state-by-state basis.
Read the Department of Justice press release >>
Radio Show Features Discussion About Occupy SLC Crackdown
Posted 11/17/11 - ACLU of Utah interim legal director Joe Cohn joins Mayor Beckers chief of staff David Everett, and homeless advocate John Netto, to discuss the recent eviction of Occupy SLC from Pioneer Park and the options for ensuring 1st Amendment rights are guaranteed for all. The show, RADIOACTIVE, on KRCL, was recorded November 16, 2011.
Listen to the full show >>
Salt Lake City Overreacts By Shutting Down Occupy SLC Encampment
Posted 11/16/11 - On Saturday, November 12, Salt Lake City Police joined by Salt Lake County Sheriffs and other law enforcement agencies, forcibly evicted over 100 people from their 38 day encampment at Pioneer Park. The eviction followed the tragic death of a homeless camper in his tent whose body was discovered on Friday, November 11. The ACLU of Utah had been working closely with both Salt Lake City and the Occupy movement to ensure that the 1st Amendment rights of the protestors were protected, and believes that the City had alternative means of addressing its concerns.
Read more, including a letter to Police Chief Chris Burbank >>
HB116 does not fall within the principles of the Utah Compact
Posted 11/14/11 - ACLU of Utah Public Policy Advocate Esperanza Granados reflects on the one year anniversary of the signing of the Utah Compact and the association that has been made between the Utah Compact and Utah’s guest-worker bill, HB 116. Although HB 116 has been touted as a reasonable attempt at solving the immigration problem in Utah and a discussion changer, it raises serious Constitutional concerns, aside from preemption. HB 116 falls short of the Utah Compact.
Read the Opinion Editorial published in the Salt Lake Tribune (11/12/11) >>
ACLU of Utah Asks School Superintendents to Confirm that LGBT Students Will Not be Excluded from School Dances
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Posted 11/8/11 - Recently, the ACLU of Utah received information that a lesbian couple was asked to leave a school’s homecoming dance violating their right to free expression and free association guaranteed by the First Amendment, as well as Constitution’s promise of Equal Protection. We took this opportunity to write a letter to every school district superintendent in Utah, educating them about the court decisions upholding the rights of same sex couples to attend proms and other school dances and functions in the hope that it might prevent future circumstances that could result in litigation.
Read more >>
Protecting The Right Of Occupy SLC To Peacefully Assemble
Updated 11/8/11 - The ACLU of Utah has been communicating with the SLCPD as well as the City of Salt Lake to ensure that Occupy SLC's peaceful assembly at, and occupation of Pioneer Park, will continue without government infringement.
Read more >>
The ACLU of Utah Free Speech Hotline is a new 24-hour service. If you experience or observe a violation of First Amendment rights, please report the incident to (801) 893-2198 or aclu@acluutah.org. Reporting these incidents to the ACLU of Utah will help the organization monitor the situation and evaluate how we can best be of assistance. The ACLU of Utah does not endorse the message or viewpoints expressed by protest participants, nor do we represent individuals in criminal defense cases.
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ACLU of Utah Looks For Local Youth Activists
Posted 11/7/11 - In its fifth year, the ACLU of Utah’s Youth Activist Scholarship seeks to recognize Utah high school seniors passionate about civil liberties – and who have taken a stand in their communities to show it!
Each year the program has awarded $1000 scholarships to three truly passionate young people who care about preserving civil liberties, and who have taken action to do just that. Past scholarship recipients have positively impacted their communities by advocating for women at the United Nations, standing up for LGBT peers by starting Gay-Straight Alliances, lobbying their elected officials for the protection of immigrants’ rights, and championing free speech and a free press.
Read more >>
Start a GSA Today
Posted 11/4/11 - Gay Straight Alliances are school clubs that aim to create safe and supportive environments for all students. The ACLU of Utah is committed to protecting students’ constitutional rights, and we can advocate on behalf of students whose schools are trying to block GSAs or are treating GSAs differently than other student clubs. Contact us if you are having trouble getting approval for a GSA at your school.
Read more and watch a video >>
Roosevelt Police Department's Refusal to Publicly Release Report on Pepper Sprayed Haka Dancers is Inappropriate
Posted 11/2/11 - On Wednesday, November 2, the Roosevelt Police Department and Mayor's office issued press releases indicating that an investigation into the use of pepper spray and batons to break up a traditional Haka dance had been completed, and the report found that the officers had acted within department policy and state law in the use of force. The department has refused to release the report for public analysis without an official GRAMA request.
Read more >>
ACLU of Utah Reporter
 Fall 2011 - In this issue:
"Show You What Papers?" - The Unconstitutionality of HB 497; ACLU Report Exposes Constitutionally Inadequate Indigent Defense System; UDOT Requirement Impedes Free Speech; ACLU Challenges Unconstitutional Jail Policy; Details on Cell Phone Tracking Sought; Lawsuit Seeks to Maintain Free Speech on the Internet; Faces of the ACLU - 2011 Bill of Rights Celebration; ACLU of Utah Immigrants Rights Project in Action; Frequently Asked Questions about Utah's HB 497, "Show Me Your Papers" Law; and more!
Download the newsletter (PDF) >>
ACLU Of Utah Responds To Haka Dancers Who Were Pepper Sprayed And Struck With Batons At Roosevelt High School Football Game
Posted 10/24/11 - News reports and video’s posted on Youtube have brought to the ACLU of Utah’s attention that on Thursday, October 20, 2011, officers from the Roosevelt Police Department used pepper spray and batons on a group of people performing a Haka Dance at the conclusion of the Roosevelt High School football game.
Read more >>
Deseret News - ACLU responds to post-game pepper spray incident >>
Fox News - ACLU reviews claims of excessive force in Roosevelt Police pepper spray incident >>
KSL video story - ACLU responds to post-game pepper spray incident >>
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