49 Oklahomans Serving Life Without Parole for Nonviolent Offenses, Finds ACLU
11.14.13
OKLAHOMA CITY – In the first-ever study of people serving life without parole for nonviolent offenses in the United States, the ACLU found at least 3,278 such prisoners in federal and state prisons combined; 49 of whom are serving life without parole for nonviolent offenses in Oklahoma.
“A Living Death: Life Without More >
William Binney to Speak on “Digital Surveillance and Democracy”
10.21.13
NORMAN–In a public lecture entitled “Digital Surveillance and Democracy,” William Binney will discuss the NSA’s eavesdropping programs and the dangers of a persistent, pervasive surveillance state. Mr. Binney, one of the best analysts and code-breakers in NSA history, turned whistle blower when the agency redirected the digital tools he had More >
ACLU of Oklahoma Applauds District Attorney’s Call for Direct Appropriation from the Legislature
10.9.13
During a recent interim study conducted by the Judiciary Committee of the Oklahoma House of Representatives regarding Oklahoma’s criminal justice system, legislators asked the former Chairman of the District Attorneys Council (DAC), District Attorney Greg Mashburn (R-Norman), about the fee system DA’s have increasingly relied upon to fund More >
THE WAR ON MARIJUANA IN BLACK AND WHITE
10.1.13
OKLAHOMA CITY – According to a report by the ACLU, Blacks were arrested for marijuana possession at nearly three times the rate of whites in 2010, despite comparable marijuana usage rates. The report, Marijuana in Black and White: Billions of Dollars Wasted on Racially Biased Arrests, released June 5th, is More >
TESTIMONY OF RYAN KIESEL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ACLU OF OK TO THE ENERGY AND AEROSPACE COMMITTEE OF THE OK HOUSE OF REPS FOR INTERIM DRONE STUDY
9.26.13
OKLAHOMA CITY–Thank you Mr. Chairman and members of the committee for the opportunity to weigh in on today’s interim study. Also, thank you to Rep. Paul Wesselhoft for requesting this study and for his leadership on the issues raised by the domestic use of drones.
My name is Ryan More >
ACLU OF OKLAHOMA HONORS FIVE LAWMAKERS FOR 2013 SESSION
9.24.13
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma is honoring five lawmakers for the 2013 legislative session. The Oklahoma legislature has a history of being home to true champions of civil liberties. These giants stood guard of the Constitution in a state more often known for its efforts to More >
ACLU of Oklahoma Challenges State Capitol Ten Commandments Monument
8.20.13
OKLAHOMA CITY – The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma and the national ACLU have filed suit on behalf of several Oklahomans challenging the constitutionality of the state’s Ten Commandments Monument.
“The monument’s placement at the Capitol has created a more divisive and hostile state for many Oklahomans,” said Ryan Kiesel, More >
ACLU of Oklahoma calls for Criminal Charges and State Investigation in Caddo County Drug Task Force/Desert Snow Profit-sharing Scheme
7.30.13
OKLAHOMA CITY – The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma today called for an OSBI investigation of the recent activities of the District Six Drug Task Force, and for criminal charges to be filed against members of Desert Snow, LLC, a private contracting company hired by Caddo County District Attorney Jason More >
Coming out of the Shadows of a Broken U.S. Immigration System
7.15.13
Deisy Escalera wrote the following statement capturing her emotions on the day she came out of the shadows of the broken U.S. Immigration system.
“It’s 6 in the morning on Friday July 12th, 2013. My mom looks over at me as we drive towards the Department of Motor Vehicle, she wants to know More >
ACLU of OK RESPONDS TO ANONYMOUS ANALYTICS REPORT ON CORRECTIONS CORPORATION OF AMERICA
7.9.13
“Today’s report from Anonymous Analytics only confirms what we have known in Oklahoma for sometime now; private prisons are a bad investment. Normally, I would say a business model that depends upon politicians making short-sighted, self-serving policy decisions would be a sound investment, but it is becoming more clear by the More >
