First Amendment
ACLU of Oklahoma and CAIR to Ask Appeals Court Monday to Uphold Ruling
9.8.11
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 More >
2011 Session Ends With Small Victories
6.15.11
The ACLU began the 2011 session tracking almost 50 bills. Although this number was significantly down from the previous session, the bills introduced this year were more hostile toward civil liberties than in years past. Predictably, bills restricting a woman’s right to choose, blurring the separation of church and state, and demonizing the immigrant community were prevalent through the 1800 bills introduced.
While many other organizations and individuals were concerned by the fundamentally conservative nature of the new administration and agency heads, the affiliate was prepared for the typical neglect toward civil liberties as witnessed in the past. The strategy changed very little this session. Legislative Counsel Tamya Cox, who also serves as the lobbyist, was required to be in the office more this session due to the transition of executive directors. Therefore, Cox focused her attention on bills that lacked an organized effort. She wrote more position papers and provided needed talking points to key legislators.
Mainly anti-immigrant bills and First Amendment restrictions bills became the focus of her efforts. Over 20 anti-immigrant bills were introduced this session. It was expected that an Arizona copy-cat bill would be introduced, and there were several versions introduced. Several bills attempted to More >
Religious Monument At Oklahoma Courthouse Is Unconstitutional
3.1.10
Supreme Court Lets Ruling Stand:
Religious Monument At Oklahoma Courthouse Is UnconstitutionalMarch 1, 2010
Court Declines Review Of Appellate Decision That Government-Sponsored Ten Commandments Monument Improperly Endorses Religion
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court today let stand a federal appellate ruling that a government-sponsored Ten Commandments monument placed on a county courthouse lawn is unconstitutional and must be removed. By rejecting an appeal by the commissioners of Haskell County, Oklahoma, and declining to review the case, the Supreme Court left undisturbed a unanimous June 2009 decision by the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals that the county commissioners advanced their personal religious beliefs by erecting the monument. The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Oklahoma on behalf of a local resident.
“The Tenth Circuit’s decision was an important victory for religious freedom and we are pleased that the Supreme Court left that ruling undisturbed,” said Daniel Mach, Director of the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief. “The Ten Commandments undoubtedly have religious significance for many, and we would vigorously defend the right of individuals, churches, or businesses to display this monument publicly on their own property. But the government should not be in More >
Oklahoman’s artistic rights violated
7.21.09
Press Release
July 21, 2009
A musician was arrested at the Cherokee Casino in Catoosa, Okla., last week for allegedly trampling an American flag as part of his act. According to The Tulsa World, the musician was originally charged with treating the U.S. flag with indignity, and the complaint was later amended to outraging public decency.
The arrest of this musician is an unconstitutional violation of his First Amendment rights, backed by settled U.S. Supreme Court precedents.
“I find it surprising that law enforcement would make such a glaring mistake in light of such a well-established line of case law,” said C.S. Thornton, Deputy Director of the ACLU of Oklahoma. “We are appalled at the actions taken by law enforcement and are calling for the immediate dismissal of any pending charges against Marion Gooding.
“This is a clear violation of Gooding’s First Amendment rights.”
Defending the Indefensible: Oklahoma Struggles to Salvage Its Unconstitutional Sharia Ban
9.13.11
Posted by Allie Shinn in Commentary
Last November, the federal district court rejected this attempt to use the state constitution to condone bigotry and blocked the amendment from taking effect. Yesterday, a federal appellate court in Denver heard arguments in the state’s appeal of that decision, but the state should fare no better this time around.
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