Our Issues
Ten Commandments Monument An Endorsement Of Religion
6.9.09
Press Release
June 9, 2009
DENVER – A unanimous federal appeals court today ruled that county commissioners in Haskell County, Okla. unconstitutionally sought to promote their personal religious beliefs by erecting a Ten Commandments monument on the front lawn of the county’s courthouse. The decision by the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals comes in challenge filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Oklahoma on behalf of a local resident.
“This is a significant ruling for the citizens of Oklahoma,” said Joann Bell, Executive Director of the ACLU of Oklahoma. “Religion should not be something that should be allowed to divide the citizens of this state, which is what happens when the government endorses one particular set of religious beliefs. All Oklahomans, of all creeds – and not just the beliefs of those in power – should feel welcome at county courthouse.”
In today’s decision, the court ruled that the erection of the monument violated the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution because a “reasonable observer would view the monument as having the impermissible principal or primary effect of endorsing religion.” The erection of the monument was unconstitutional, the court ruled, because the proposal to erect the monument, More >
Shortest victory for civil liberties
4.8.09
Press Release
April 8, 2009
OKLAHOMA CITY – The ACLU of Oklahoma applauds Governor Brad Henry for striking down a Voter ID bill that could have cost many eligible Oklahomans the right to vote. Senate Bill 4 would have required Oklahoma voters to provide proof of identity in order to vote. If voters did not show proof of identity, they would be required to vote by provisional ballot. Over 80 percent of provisional ballots were rejected in the last general election. Minutes after Henry vetoed SB 4, the Republican-controlled House passed SB 692 – a similar bill that would bypass the governor and go to a vote of the people in 2010.
“We are dealing with major budget shortfalls, high unemployment, and unaffordable health care, yet the legislature wants to waste time to debate an issue that is not a problem. There is not evidence of in-person voter fraud in Oklahoma,” said Tamya Cox, ACLU of Oklahoma Legislative Counsel. “We expect the legislature to deal with real, tangible problems such as inadequate space in our jails, and our teachers being underpaid – not fantasy issues.”
The League of Women Voters, AARP, NAACP, and other civic organizations oppose all Voter ID measures.
“The right to vote More >
Oklahoma House of Representatives executes an assault on civil liberties
3.12.09
Press Release
March 12, 2009
OKLAHOMA CITY – In the last two days, the Oklahoma House of Representatives has passed four bills that are not only unnecessary, but are in effect an assault on Oklahomans’ civil liberties.
Wednesday started with House Bill 1037, introduced by District 23 Representative Sue Tibbs. This bill is also known as the Voter ID Bill, and will require voters to present a government-issued photo ID before voting.
This bill will disenfranchise women, minorities, elderly, disabled, homeless, and veteran Oklahomans. Voting is a fundamental right, and charging individuals to vote is an illegal poll tax. HB 1037 passed down party lines, 59-39.
“If election reform is going to have any integrity, it must be bi-partisan,” said Tamya Cox, American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma Program Director and Legislative Counsel. “It should include same day registration and opening the polls earlier.
“This bill had none of this. Its only purpose was to create obstacles for people to vote.”
Over 78,000 Oklahomans do not have an ID card, and many that do will still be unable to vote because their driver’s license has expired. If HB 1037 passes in the Senate, those without a voter ID card, or those that don’t want to show it, More >
Women’s Health Day is March 23!
3.9.09
The ACLU of Oklahoma has partnered with Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma to host Women’s Health Day at the State Capitol on Monday, March 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Rotunda.
* Progressive organizations will have booths * Information on mental, reproductive, and physical health * You can get blood pressure and glucose levels checked * There will be demonstrations on CPR and CPR for infants, self-defense demonstrations, and yoga techniques * This will also be a lobby day for HB 1595. We will meet senators to share our concerns with this bill. * If you interested in participating in the lobby day or in having a booth for the Women’s Health Day, please contact Tamya Cox at tcox@acluok.org or (405)524-8511 by March 18.
An open letter from ACLU of Oklahoma Program Director and Legislative Counsel Tamya Cox
3.27.09
Posted by ACLU OK in Commentary
I attended the committee meeting on HB 1595, the Statistical Reporting on Abortion bill. This bill would require doctors to ask a series of invasive questions that would then be uploaded to the Internet. This bill also prevents gender-selection abortion. This is not an issue in the United States and 90 percent of abortions that do occur happen within 12 weeks of pregnancy. Fourteen to sixteen weeks into the pregnancy is typically the amount of time before gender is decided. Only four percent of Oklahoma abortions occur at or after week 16. However, the data does not show if these abortions are due to women’s health risks or fetus anomaly.
But while the abortion issue is an important topic, I am concerned that the legislature continually politicizes the topic and doesn’t get to the real issue. All sides want to reduce the number of abortions; all sides want to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. But the politics of the “choice vs. anti-choice” issue overshadows this. It is time both sides come together, divorce the emotion, and have meaningful dialogue.
We first need to decide how to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. I believe it is through a comprehensive sex education. More >