The Islamic Society of Tulsa held a Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in 2011 to thank local police for protecting the center after it received threats during the previous year. As part of the department’s community policing initiative, Capt. Paul Fields was directed to attend, or send officers from his division to attend the event. Fields refused, claiming that to attend or to send officers to the event would violate his religious beliefs, which require him to proselytize anyone who does not share his Christian faith.

“As a police officer, Capt. Fields is bound to serve the entire community, regardless of whether or not they share his beliefs,” said Ryan Kiesel, executive director of the ACLU of Oklahoma. “His refusal to attend an event hosted by members of the community because they happen to be Muslims is discrimination, pure and simple.”

The brief states that the First Amendment requires public servants to serve all individuals and groups of every religious tradition without discriminating against or favoring any particular faith.

The brief notes that Fields’ claim would allow him to, for example, refuse to guard a Sikh temple that has been targeted for violence, provide a police presence at a war protest organized by religious groups and featuring speakers of any non-Christian faith, give a presentation on safety and crime prevention to students at a Catholic school, conduct foot patrols of a neighborhood with a large Orthodox Jewish population, or come to the aid of an injured woman wearing a hijab.

“Capt. Fields is certainly entitled to his own, deeply held beliefs, but while on duty, he simply has no right to ignore or abandon those of other faiths,” said Daniel Mach, director of the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief. “The idea that an officer can pick and choose whom he will assist based on what they believe strikes at the heart of our most cherished constitutional values of religious liberty and equality.”

The community event was described as a “casual come and go atmosphere” with a buffet of “American and Ethnic foods” and optional tours of the mosque and an opportunity to observe a prayer service. Officers were not required, however, to participate in any of these activities or even be on site during the prayer service.

The Tulsa Police Department regularly attends community outreach events hosted by religious organizations or held at religious venues of various faiths.

A copy of the brief can be seen at:

aclu.org/religion-belief/fields-v-city-tulsa-amicus-brief

Michael began working for the ACLU of Oklahoma in 1993. While he served many roles, the majority of his energy was devoted to finding unique ways to grow the membership and to develop an impressive and consistent fundraising base.

In 1997, an Oklahoma resident complained that the academy award-winning German movie The Tin Drum contained child pornography and therefore violated Oklahoma law. After a local judge viewed the movie and agreed with the complainant, the police subsequently went to neighborhood video stores and removed all copies of The Tin Drum, and obtained, without a warrant, the names of those who were currently renting it. One copy had been rented by Michael who got wind of the impending seizure and wanted to see if the movie was really objectionable. Police came to Michael’s house and asked for the cassette, which he handed over after some discussion of “the artistic merits of the movie.”

The ACLU of Oklahoma filed suit, and the court found that the city violated Michael’s rights by obtaining his rental records without a court order or warrant. The court awarded Michael the statutory minimum of $2500, but more importantly, a victory for civil liberties.

Michael will be missed. He believed passionately in the mission of the ACLU and committed himself to ensure civil liberties are celebrated and respected in Oklahoma. The ACLU of Oklahoma and civil libertarians across the state will forever be grateful for his service.

Remarks from former Executive Director Joann Bell

Michael “Sky” Camfield was a very unique individual.  He was born in Belleville,Illinois but grew up in Harrah,Oklahoma. He was a graduate of Harrah High School and Oklahoma CityUniversity.

I knew Michael when he was ‘just Michael” – without the SKY nick-name.  We became friends in 1982.  In 1993, Michael came to work for the ACLU of Oklahoma. For many years, just the two of us worked there.  He handled the Development work as well as Education and  he’d do anything else that needed to be done.  When we purchased the current ACLU Oklahoma office building, Michael stayed up all night moving heavy file cabinets on a hand-cart, around the corner, from our old office to the new. We had some wonderful years, defending Civil Liberties and had a lot of fun doing it.

As a successful plaintiff in the ACLU case to defend the “Tin Drum”, he became internationally known.  For many years Michael was in charge of directing “The Follies” at the National ACLU Biennial Conferences – and they were wonderful.  His musical talents included song-writing, singing and playing several types of musical instruments.  He performed all overOklahoma City.

Michael could do just about anything he set his mind to do.  In middle school, he played football. When he got the ball, no one could catch him. After a couple of years, he decided, much to the dismay of the coaches, that he had no desire to play football and no amount of begging or demanding by the coaches could change his mind. This is probably a memory of Michael that not many will know about.  He concentrated on his studies and graduated as valedictorian of his high school class. I used to tell Michael he would be a rich man if he would go on “Jeopardy” or “How to Be a Millionaire” because he knew so much about so many subjects – from ancient art history to pop culture.

Michael loved everything the ACLU stands for and he especially subscribed to the “Molly Ivins” idea of defending Civil Liberties and having a ball while doing it.

Michael is survived by his mother, Mary Camfield, of Harrah; his sister Lisa Camfield; a niece Lainy Camfield and several aunts, uncles and cousins. A host of friends will greatly miss him.

Peace to you, My Friend Michael. 

Thurston is a politically-active, technology-loving comedian and co-founded the black political blog, Jack and Jill Politics. His first book, How To Be Black, will be published in February 2012 by Harper Collins. The ACLU of Michigan honored him “for changing the political and social landscape one laugh at a time,” and was nominated for the Bill Hicks Award for Thought Provoking Comedy. Then-candidate Barack Obama called him “someone I need to know.”

The ACLU of Oklahoma Foundation will also be honoring Jana Lewis Harkins for her years of commitment to advancing civil rights in Oklahoma.  She will be presented with the distinguished Angie Debo Civil Libertarian of the Year Award.

Individual tickets are $50 and student tickets are $25. Tickets can be purchased here.

For sponsorship info, please contact Allie Shinn or at (405) 524-8511.

For more information on Baratunde Thurston, please visit www.baratunde.com.

Harkins is no stranger to the ACLU. She has served on the board of directors twice and also served as the board president. While serving as board of directors in 1987, she received the distinct honor of becoming the first African-American president of any ACLU affiliate in the country.

“Harkins has dedicated a lifetime to fight for equality, and her passion has inspired many,” said Ryan Kiesel executive director of the ACLU of Oklahoma. “We are excited to honor such a trail-blazer.”

In addition to Harkins’ commitment to the ACLU, she has dedicated her life to civil rights. Witnessing the unfair treatment of women within the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, she began her fight for the fair treatment of women and workers. She became heavily involved with the Communications Workers of America Union, and she would ultimately become the first African American and first female elected as the Executive Vice President for the CWA Local 6016.

She has worked tirelessly to increase voter participation and to educate the masses about women’s rights, racial justice, and human rights.

In 2005, she co-hosted an hour-long weekend talk radio program covering a wide variety of topics but primarily focusing on political and social issues. She gave a voice to those who are typically underrepresented.

Currently, Harkins is tirelessly working to defeat SQ 759- a state question that will end equal opportunity programs in public employment, public education, and public contracting.

Harkins will be presented this distinguished honor at the ACLU’s Bill of Rights Celebration on Nov. 12^th at the Science Museum Oklahoma. To purchase tickets, please contact  Allie Shinn, Outreach Director or to purchase tickets online, please click here.

Execution in Face of Serious Doubts Unconscionable and Unconstitutional

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (212) 549-2666;media@aclu.org

ATLANTA – The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles today denied clemency to Troy Davis, despite serious concerns that he was wrongly convicted of killing a police officer in 1989.

“The refusal today by the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles to grant Troy Davis clemency underscores the vast systemic injustices that plague our death penalty system,” said Denny LeBoeuf, director of the ACLU Capital Punishment Project. “No innocent person should ever be put to death, and it is unconscionable and unconstitutional to carry out an execution where, as in Troy’s case, significant doubts exist. The death penalty system in the United States is arbitrary, discriminatory and comes at an enormous cost to taxpayers, and it must be ended.”

Visit www.aclu.org for more information.

ACLU of Oklahoma and CAIR to Ask Appeals Court Monday to Uphold Ruling Blocking Implementation of Oklahoma Ban on Sharia and International Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2011
CONTACT:
Robyn Shepherd, ACLU national, (212) 519-7829 or 549-2666; media@aclu.org
DENVER – Counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will present arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit Monday, September 12 at 1:00 p.m. MDT to ask that the court uphold a ruling blocking implementation of a discriminatory and unnecessary Oklahoma state constitutional amendment that prohibits courts from applying – or even considering – what is broadly described as Islamic “Sharia law” and “international law.”

The measure, officially titled the “Save Our State Amendment,” was temporarily enjoined last year by a lower court for blatantly disfavoring an entire faith and denyingOklahoma’s Muslims access to the judicial system on the same terms as every other citizen. The ACLU and CAIR are seeking to have the amendment permanently struck down.

More information on the case is available at: www.aclu.org/religion-belief/muneer-awad-v-paul-ziriax-oklahoma-state-board-elections-et-al

WHAT:
Arguments in appeal of lower court ruling blocking implementation of anOklahoma state constitutional amendment prohibiting courts from applying or considering Sharia law and international law.

WHO:
Daniel Mach, director of the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief; Micheal Salem, cooperating counsel from Salem Law Offices, who will be presenting arguments; and Muneer Awad, Executive Director of CAIR’s Oklahoma chapter and plaintiff in the case will be in attendance and available to speak to reporters.

WHEN:
Monday, September 12, 2011
1:00 p.m. MDT

WHERE:
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Byron White U.S. Courthouse
1823 Stout Street
Denver,Colo.

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 that therefore counterterrorism measures cannot be balanced against any other considerations such as maintaining civil liberties.Americahas become an international legal outlier in invoking the right to use lethal force and indefinite military detention outside battle zones, the report says, and these policies have hampered the international fight against terrorism by straining relations with allies and handing a propaganda tool to enemies.

Taking on the legacy of the Bush administration’s torture policy, the report warns that the lack of accountability leaves the door open to future abuses. “Our nation’s official record of this era will show numerous honors to those who authorized torture – including a Presidential Medal of Freedom – and no recognition for those, like the Abu Ghraib whistleblower, who rejected and exposed it,” it notes.

The report details how profiling based on race and religion has become commonplace nationwide, with the results of such approaches showing just how wrong and ineffective those practices are. “Targeting the American Muslim community for counterterrorism investigation is counterproductive because it diverts attention and resources that ought to be spent on individuals and violent groups that actually pose a threat,” the report says. “By allowing – and in some cases actively encouraging – the fear of terrorism to divide Americans by religion, race, and belief, our political leaders are fracturing this nation’s greatest strength: its ability to integrate diverse strands into a unified whole on the basis of shared, pluralistic, democratic values.”

Concluding with the massive expansion of surveillance since 9/11, the report delves into the many ways the government now spies on Americans without any suspicion of wrongdoing, from warrantless wiretapping to cell phone location tracking – but with little to show for it. “The reality is that as governmental surveillance has become easier and less constrained, security agencies are flooded with junk data, generating thousands of false leads that distract from real threats,” the report says.

The report points out that many controversial policies have been shrouded in secrecy under the rubric of national security, preventing oversight and examination by the public. “We look to our leaders and our institutions, our courts and our Congress, to guide us towards a better way, and it is now up to the American people to demand that our leaders respond to national security challenges with our values, our unity – and yes, our courage – intact.”

“A Call to Courage” is available online at:

www.aclu.org/calltocourage

More information on the 9/11 anniversary is available at:

www.aclu.org/9-11-anniversary

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 the positions I took in the legislature, but I took those positions, however unpopular they may have been, because it was the right thing to do. The same can be said of the ACLU of Oklahoma; its course is not set by the prevailing political winds of the day, rather it is guided by a steadfast commitment to defending the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights,” said Kiesel.

Juanita Vasquez, ACLU of Oklahoma Board Member and Chair of the Search Committee, was pleased with the number and quality of applicants for the positions, “Many well qualified candidates were reviewed and interviewed. The Search Committee and voting board membership selected Mr. Kiesel as the best qualified for Executive Director and under his leadership we will continue to defend and protect the civil liberties of all Oklahomans.”

ACLU of Oklahoma Board President Randy Coyne said,”We are delighted that Mr. Kiesel has agreed to lead the preeminent civil liberties organization in the state. Although we received many outstanding applications for this position, I am convinced that Ryan’s professional experience, keen intellect, and commitment to justice for all make him uniquely qualified to spearhead the effort to insure that civil liberties in Oklahoma are not sacrificed on the altar of political expediency or diluted by misguided, fear-mongering government officials.”

The ACLU of Oklahoma is one of 53 affiliates of the American Civil Liberties Union, a national not-for-profit, non-partisan, voluntary organization founded in 1920. Its purpose is to protect those rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, freedom to petition the government for a redress of grievances, freedom of association, the right to privacy, the right to due process of law and the right to equal protection under the law.

The Oklahoma affiliate was established in 1964 and opened its first headquarters in 1973.

For more information about the ACLU of Oklahoma, please visit www.acluok.org.

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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 12^th. 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 16^th. 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.

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 demonstrate probable cause and obtain a warrant to access cell phone location data;
• statistics on how frequently law enforcement agencies obtain cell phone location data;
• how much money law enforcement agencies spend tracking cell phones and
• other policies and procedures used for acquiring location data.

Law enforcement’s use of cell phone location data has been widespread for years, although it has become increasingly controversial recently. Just last week, the general counsel of the National Security Agency suggested to members of Congress that the NSA might have the authority to collect the location information of American citizens inside theU.S.Also, this spring, researchers revealed that iPhones were collecting and storing location information in unknown files on the phone. Police inMichigansought information about every cell phone near the site of a planned labor protest.

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether police need a warrant to place a GPS tracking device on a person’s vehicle. While that case does not involve cell phones, it could influence the rules police have to follow for cell phone tracking.

Congress is considering the Geolocation Privacy and Surveillance Act, a bill supported by the ACLU that would require police to get a warrant to obtain personal location information. The bill would protect both historical and real-time location data, and would also require customers’ consent for telecommunications companies to collect location data.

Today’s requests are part of the ACLU’s Demand Your dotRights Campaign, the organization’s campaign to make sure that as technology advances, privacy rights are not left behind.

More information about the requests is available www.aclu.org/locationtracking