Action Alert
This shows a list of all the action alerts we have posted on the site. Some of the older ones may be out of date, but we retain here as part of the archive of our work.
ACLU 9/11 Anniversary Report Warns of Threat to American Freedom
9.8.11
Report, “A Call to Courage: Reclaiming Our Liberties Ten Years After 9/11,” Details Dangers of Establishing Permanent War Footing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2011
CONTACT: Josh Bell, (212) 549-2508 or 2666; media@aclu.org
NEW YORK– A decade after the September 11th attacks, theUnited Statesis at risk of enshrining a permanent state of emergency in which the nation’s core values are subordinated to ever-expanding claims of national security, the American Civil Liberties Union warns in a new report released today.
“A Call to Courage: Reclaiming Our Liberties Ten Years After 9/11,” shows how sacrificing America’s values – including justice, individual liberty and the rule of law – ultimately undermines the country’s safety. “It is our fundamental values that are the very foundation of our strength and security,” the report says.
“We have titled it ‘A Call to Courage,’ because we believe that a defining element of our national identity – embodied in our national anthem’s pairing of ‘the land of the free’ with ‘the home of the brave’ – has been imperiled by our leaders’ promotion of (or capitulation to) a politics of fear,” the report explains.
It challenges the contention that theU.S.is engaged in a “war on terror” that takes place everywhere and will last forever, and 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.
All Children Have Right to Public Education
7.26.11
It has been brought to our attention that certain school districts are requiring Social Security Identification for enrollment in K-12 school. It is unlawful to require more than proof of residence (such as a gas or electric bill), immunization forms, & a birth certificate as a condition of enrollment in public schools. It is not required that a birth certificate be from the United States. The birth certificate is simply a means to determine the age of the student. Oklahoma law allows for other forms such as a baptismal or an affidavit to verify proof of age. No public school may legally require a Social Security card.
School administrators cannot deny admission to a student based on his or her immigration status or require parents or students to disclose their immigrant status or social security numbers. Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202 (1982) In addition, if a district chooses to request a social security number, it shall inform the individual that the disclosure is voluntary, provide the statutory or other basis upon which it is seeking the number, and explain what uses will be made of it. 5 U.S.C. §552a
If your child is denied enrollment please contact the ACLU of Oklahoma at (405) 524-8511 or acluok@acluok.org.
If More >
Don’t Hide Your Pride! Free t-shirts to first 40 volunteers!
6.9.11
Join the ACLU to march in this year’s Pride Parade. The first 40 people who volunteer to march with the ACLU will receive a free ACLU of Oklahoma Pride T-shirt. The parade will be held on Sunday, June 26th. Those wishing to march should arrive no later than 5 pm. The parade begins at 6 pm starting at Memorial Park. For more information, or to volunteer, please e-mail Allie Shinn!
Update on Legislation of Concern Pending in Oklahoma Legislature
3.4.09
If you would like to receive legislative update emails from the ACLU of Oklahoma, please send your contact information to: acluok@acluok.org.
The ACLU of Oklahoma needs your help. We do not want this session to be an assault on civil liberties. We need people to get involved in the democratic process. Despite what you have heard, one phone call, one email, or one visit to you legislator can make a difference.
Legislators work for you, and they need to hear from their constituents.
Below is a list of bills that concern us. We have decided that these will have a severe civil liberty impact and must be stopped. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at acluok@acluok.org. If you do not know who your legislator is, please email us with either your district number or home address, so we can help you locate the appropriate person.
HB 1037 by Tibbs- Requires ID to vote
Ø Directed to House Calendar
Ø This bill will require Oklahomans to provide a government issued ID in order to vote. Voting is a fundamental right and to create barriers is unreasonable. There is absolutely no evidence that Oklahoma has ever had a problem with voter impersonation More >
