ACLU of Utah Urges Voters to Oppose Education Vouchers
During its 2007 general session, the Utah State Legislature passed H.B. 148, “Education Vouchers,” which seeks to put into place an expansive, statewide voucher program to provide scholarships for students to attend private schools. The law is the subject of a citizen’s referendum, and on November 6, voters will decide the fate of the voucher program.
The ACLU of Utah believes that the voucher program to be enacted by H.B. 148 is constitutionally flawed. Utah’s constitution is explicit in prohibiting the public funding of religious schools, thus Utah’s proposed voucher program cannot withstand constitutional scrutiny.
Moreover, Utah’s proposed voucher program does not serve the best interests of Utahns because it undermines public accountability in education and funnels money away from public schools, an institution that is fundamental to the health and general success of our state and nation.
The ACLU of Utah urges voters to reject the proposed voucher program by voting against H.B. 148 “Education Vouchers” on “Citizen’s State Referendum Number 1.”
Read more about the ACLU of Utah’s opposition to the proposed voucher program >>
ACLU of Utah Scholarship Application Deadline Approaching
The ACLU of Utah is offering college
scholarships to graduating high school seniors who have taken a stand for civil liberties. A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to the first place winner, and $500 to second and third place winners.
All scholarship recipients will also be nominated for a $5,000 national scholarship, which will be awarded to 15 students from across the country.
If you are a high school senior or if you know a eligible student who is passionate about protecting and fighting for the constitutional rights of everyone, fill out or encourage your student to fill out and return the Student Activist Scholarship Program Application by November 1, 2007.
Find out more about the ACLU of Utah’s Student Activist Scholarship Program >>
The Second Season of the ACLU Freedom Files Is Out
The ACLU Freedom Files television series draws on the power of true stories to highlight vital civil liberties issues of our time and to inspire viewers to take action. These half-hour documentaries feature the firsthand accounts of real people who have taken on the powers that be, often at great risk to themselves, in order to preserve their precious constitutional rights.
Season Two of the series premieres this fall with a slate of nine programs on the death penalty, same-sex marriage, same-sex parenting, voting rights, immigrants’ rights, surveillance, sex education, the school-to-prison pipeline, and unlawful imprisonment, torture, and habeas corpus.
Find out more about the ACLU Freedom Files >>
|
Tell Congressman Matheson: Fix FISA, Defend the Constitution!
 |
Two bills were introduced this week to fix the disastrous Protect America Act, which was rushed through Congress in August and was nothing more than a rubberstamp of the administration’s warrantless wiretapping program. Both bills are efforts to fix FISA (the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act), but we must make it clear to Congress that only one of the bills, the FISA Modernization Act, does the job.
Congressman Jim Matheson needs to hear from his constituents that by protecting our constitutional rights, the FISA Modernization Act allows Americans to be both safe and free. Please, call or write Matheson now and tell him to support the FISA Modernization Act.
Here are some talking points for your phone call or letter:
1. Please support the FISA Modernization Act of 2007 introduced by Representative Rush Holt, instead of the RESTORE Act. Only pass a FISA modernization bill that has individualized warrants.
2. Blanket or program “warrants” that allow the government to vacuum up the international telephone calls and emails of Americans aren’t really warrants at all, and they aren’t constitutional.
3. Americans are looking to Congress to stand up to the Bush Administration, not cave in to threats of being labeled soft on terrorism.
Please make a commitment to the Constitution. You can start by helping to fix FISA.
Contact Congressman Jim Matheson:
410 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3011
Fax: (202) 225-5638
www.house.gov/matheson
Read more about FISA >>
ACLU Takes the Fight for Civil Liberties to the Comic Book Pages
The American Civil Liberties Union — the real-world organization on the frontlines of the battle to protect civil liberties — is putting on a mask and cape and venturing into the comic book world.
“Young people are the future of our democracy, and comic books have inspired young people for generations,” said ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero. “Defenders of Freedom is a new way for us to tell our stories and motivate the next generation of civil libertarians to stand up for their rights.”
“Defenders of Freedom” features two original stories written and illustrated by a team of seasoned professionals. “Blue Collar,” written by Jimmy Palmiotti and inked by Rick Burchett, tells of a man targeted by a racist police officer. “A Question of Obligation,” illustrated by Mark Badger and written by Matthew Manning, is about what happens when the government gets in the way of civil liberties.
Read more about Defenders of Freedom >>
Get
Involved!
JOIN
THE ACLU
DONATE ONLINE
VISIT WWW.ACLUUTAH.ORG
|
