Sat, Sept 11 Avenues Street Fair 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Stop by the ACLU of Utah booth and get a free t-shirt when you join or renew your membership!
More info >>
Fri, Sept 17 "The Past, Present and Uncertain Future of Immigration in the United States" 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
First in a two-part series of discussions on immigration law and policy. @ SLC Main Library
(210 E. 400 S.)
More info >>
Like the Constitution’s framers, the ACLU
maintains that freedom of speech and expression, including the right to
protest and petition the government, are fundamental to a democratic society.
(For information about free speech as it relates to gay-positive viewpoints,
please see our page on LGBT equality;
for information about free speech and expression in schools, please see
our page on student rights.)
Proposed Sale of Manti Street Raises Significant First Amendment Concerns Posted 8/24/10 - After receiving numerous complaints regarding the proposed sale of a Manti city street to the LDS Church, the ACLU of Utah on August 18 sent a letter to the Manti City Council, which was set to make a decision at their meeting that night. The street has traditionally been used as a public thoroughfare and public forum for people of all religious and political persuasions, particularly during the annual week-long Mormon Miracle Pageant held in Manti. The ACLU letter discussed the important First Amendment rights that would be threatened if the street were to be sold to a private entity, and the lack of public knowledge or involvement prior to the city council meeting. The ACLU followed up on August 20 with a public information (GRAMA) request asking to review documents associated with the proposed sale. ACLU of Utah Legal Director Darcy Goddard stated, "Citizens of Manti were justifiably concerned that such an important decision, with such serious potential constitutional ramifications, might be made with so little public discussion. We have offered to meet with the City, and are eager to learn and make available to the public additional details about the proposed sale."
Revised proposed Salt Lake City anti-panhandling ordinance still threatens First Amendment rights. Posted 8/10/10 -The ACLU of Utah again submitted comments to Salt Lake City regarding the city's revised proposed anti-panhandling ordinance. The ACLU of Utah is concerned that this measure will compromise rights and prove ineffective.
Proposed Salt Lake Panhandling Ordinance Could Limit Free Speech Posted 10/06/09 - The ACLU of Utah submitted comments to Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and the City Council in response to the proposed "Commercial Solicitation Ordinance." The ACLU of Utah outlines how the proposed ordinance could infringe upon the free speech rights of Utahns and criminalize speech that is protected by the First Amendment and Utah's own free speech clause.
Close to 175 People Attend "Shouting Fire" and Post-Film Discussion Posted 10/6/09 - A free screening of Liz Garbus' "Shouting Fire: Stories from the Edge of Free Speech" drew a crowd of approximately 175 people to the Salt Lake Library on Monday night - most of whom stayed for a lively post-film discussion about the importance of protecting free (and even unpopular) speech in downtown Salt Lake City. The event was a collaboration between the ACLU of Utah and the Salt Lake City Film Center.
