Archive for August, 2011
ACLU of Oklahoma Selects Former Lawmaker as Executive Director
8.31.11
August 30, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ryan Kiesel, Executive Director
Phone: 405.524.8511
Email: acluok@acluok.org
OKLAHOMA CITY— Following a nationwide search, the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma announced today that Ryan Kiesel will serve as the organization’s next Executive Director.
As Executive Director, Kiesel will serve as the chief executive officer of the ACLU of Oklahoma, with primary responsibility for managing the day-to-day activities and operations of the organization, leading the fundraising, directing and coordinating the work of a professional staff, and serving as the primary spokesperson.
“It is an honor to be a part of an organization that relentlessly defends the rights of Oklahomans at the legislature, in communities large and small, and when necessary at the courthouse,” said Kiesel.
Prior to coming to the ACLU of Oklahoma, Kiesel, an attorney, served three terms in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2004-10 where he was a strong voice in the defense of civil liberties and regularly debated against measures that limited reproductive rights, free speech, religious freedom, and the rights of the accused.
Kiesel said he applied for the position because the mission of the ACLU of Oklahoma reflects his attitude towards public service.
“You don’t have to look hard to find those who disagreed with many of More >
ACLU Calls for Angie Debo Nominations
8.22.11
Author and Activist Angie Debo
The ACLU of Oklahoma is currently accepting nominations for the Angie Debo Civil Liberties Award. The award will be presented at this year’s Bill of Rights Celebration on November 12th. The Angie Debo Award was established in 1977 to recognize those who have provided exceptional defense to the Bill of Rights throughout the year or throughout their lives. Nominations for these awards must be received by the affiliate office no later than September 16th. They may be mailed to the ACLU of Oklahoma at 3000 Paseo Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 or emailed to Tamya Cox.
Nomination letters should be no longer than three pages and should include the following: 1) name, current address, and telephone numbers (business and home) of the nominee, 2) a description of the nominee’s worthiness, 3) a statement that the nominee has given consent to the nomination, 4) biographical information about the nominee attached as an enclosure, 5) letters of endorsement from others as optional enclosures and 6) the name, address, and telephone numbers (home and business) of the person making the nomination.
ACLU opposes drug testing for TANF recipients
8.17.11
In response to an editorial alleging the ACLU of Oklahoma would oppose any measure mandating drug testing for TANF recipients (Daily Oklahoman, August 11) the ACLU of Oklahoma responded with the following:
The Oklahoman is correct. The ACLU of Oklahoma is closely monitoring the progress of any bill that would require drug testing as a condition for welfare benefits. The proposed policy is scientifically, fiscally and constitutionally unsound. It is offensive to assume that those receiving benefits use drugs at a higher rate than other individuals. If we are going to drug test TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) applicants, then we need to test every person who receives a benefit from the state — parents of children who receive Medicaid, students who receive educational grants or loans, state legislators and CEOs who receive state tax credits. Random drug testing has proved to be ineffective in identifying drug abusers. A study in Oklahoma found that a questionnaire accurately detected 94 out of 100 drug abusers. The cost of a drug testing program should also be a deterrent. The average cost of a drug test is about $42 per person, not including the costs administering the test, ensuring confidentiality, and running confirmatory More >
Are you being tracked?
8.3.11
ACLU Seeks Details on Government Phone Tracking in Massive Nationwide Information Request
Campaign is One of the Largest Coordinated Information Act Requests in American History
In a massive coordinated information-seeking campaign, the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma, along with 33 other affiliates across the nation today are sending over 379 requests to local law enforcement agencies large and small demanding to know when, why and how they are using cell phone location data to track Americans. The campaign is one of the largest coordinated information act requests in American history. The requests, being filed under Oklahoma’s freedom of information laws, are an effort to strip away the secrecy that has surrounded law enforcement use of cell phone tracking capabilities.
“The ability to access cell phone location data is an incredibly powerful tool and its use is shrouded in secrecy. The public has a right to know how and under what circumstances their location information is being accessed by the government,” said Catherine Crump, staff attorney for the ACLU Speech, Privacy and Technology Project. “A detailed history of someone’s movements is extremely personal and is the kind of information the Constitution protects.”
Law enforcement agencies are being asked for information including:
- whether law enforcement agents More >
