NYCLU

RECENT VICTORY:

1.Huge steps forward for MARRIAGE FAIRNESS:

Monroe County has abandoned the appeal in Martinez, the case in which says that NY must recognize same sex marriages validly entered into in other jurisdictions.

For more: http://www.nyclu.org/node/2097

And lawfully married same-sex couples are now officially entitled to insurance benefits as married couples, thanks to a formal ruling by the NY state Insurance Superintendent, who cites the NYCLU victory in Martinez!

For more: http://www.nyclu.org/node/2092

2. MAJORITY of NYC COUNCIL sponsors Student Safety Act:

26 members -- a majority -- of the NY City Council have signed on as sponsors of the Student Safety Act. With the Student Safety Coalition, the NYCLU held a rally on Nov. 23 demanding Council hearings so the bill can move forward.

For More: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_VlL05uwG0

To support the bill: http://ga1.org/campaign/studentsafetyhearing

3. In conjunction with the decades old Handschu case, the NYPD has dropped a 2004 policy that allowed officers to routinely videotape lawful protest. Bizarrely, the NYPD withheld information about the policy change for months.

For more: http://www.nyclu.org/node/2056

4. Legal Representation for Indigent Defendants: The trial court last month rebuffed the state’s latest effort to stall our legal challenge to the inadequate public defense system in NY. The court rejected a motion to put all proceedings on hold while the state tries to convince an appellate court to dismiss the case.

ONGOING EVENTS

Free Food! And Discussion. Every first Tuesday of the month. Formally called: The NYCLU Civil Liberties Discussion Series. Note: Please include the "The" whenever speaking of the Discussion Series. The next The NYCLU Civil Liberties Discussion Series event will be on the first Tuesday of the month. Easy to remember, right?! The topics vary, but always about civil liberties, and we will announce what it is ASAP. But know, that it will be fierce. Luminaries talk, you eat, and we all discuss at the end. Fierce. Just like our last one which was on fierce issues in NYS. You missed it. Don't let it happen again.

ALSO:

Check out our events tab over here to the right of the screen. It is a great way to learn about the work we do, the hot civil liberties issues of the day, meet new people and who knows, maybe meet that civic-minded special someone you have been dreaming of since like forever. Or, end up on one of our YouTube videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/nycluclips

WE GOT ISSUES:

Police In Schools
Surveillance
Juvenile Detention Centers
Marriage Fairness
Public Defense Reform
REAL ID
Police Stop & Frisk Policies
Reproductive Rights

WHAT ARE WE DOING ON MYSPACE:

This is a place for all of us to congregate and make a ruckus, myspace style. Have fun, be serious, spread words, educate each other, create community forums, post videos, post discussions, organize... And all else, it would seem.

EXPECT:

Postings of articles that have civil liberties issues, our press releases as they are released, entertaining and informative videos on issues of the day, invitations to events, and a large dose of fierceness overall, from the content to the people. We hope you enjoy.