Court Upholds Ruling Blocking Oklahoma Sharia and International Law Ban
1.10.12
Discriminatory and Unnecessary Law Maligned American Muslims and Presented Legal Bind For Courts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (212) 549-2666
DENVER, CO – A federal appeals court today unanimously upheld a ruling that blocked implementation of a discriminatory and unnecessary Oklahoma state constitutional amendment that would have prohibited state courts from considering what is broadly described as Islamic “Sharia law” and “international law.”
The court concluded that by singling out Islam for unfavorable treatment in state courts, the law likely violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The court rejected the state’s argument that the constitutional amendment was necessary to protect against improper application of Sharia law, explaining:
“Appellants do not identify any actual problem the challenged amendment seeks to solve. Indeed, they admitted . . . that they did not know of even a single instance where an Oklahoma court had applied Sharia law or used the legal precepts of other nations or cultures, let alone that such applications or uses had resulted in concrete problems in Oklahoma.”
The American Civil Liberties Union and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) challenged the amendment on behalf of Muneer Awad, executive director of CAIR’s Oklahoma chapter.
“As the court recognized, this amendment did nothing more than target one More >
ACLU of OK Stands Up to Efforts to Discriminate Against Gay & Lesbian National Guard Soldiers
1.10.12
Today, the ACLU of Oklahoma is calling on the Speaker of the House to send a clear signal that HB 2195 is dead on arrival and that the House will not waste a single minute considering the politically motivated act of a single legislator, and instead, will stand with the brave men and women of the Oklahoma National Guard, regardless of their sexual orientation.
In addition to potentially jeopardizing federal funding, this legislation distracts our legislature from efforts that truly support our troops by ensuring that when they return from service they will find a strong economy, educational opportunities, and affordable health care awaiting them.
A similar measure was proposed in Virgina last session. That bill died in subcommittee after the Attorney General, a socially conservative Republican, noted that, if it passed, the federal government could and probably would withhold federal funding for the VA Guard. Other policy makers highlighted that More >
ACLU Remembers Michael Camfield
11.11.11
This week, the ACLU of Oklahoma lost a former co-worker, great advocate, and dear friend Michael Sky Camfield. Michael worked for the ACLU of Oklahoma from 1993-2009. For much of that time, Michael was half of the two member staff along with former Exceutive Director Joann Bell. During his time at the ACLU he was a powerful advocate for many Oklahomans.
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 More >
Bill of Rights Celebration to feature Baratunde Thurston of The Onion
10.17.11
The ACLU of Oklahoma Foundation is excited to announce this year’s Bill of Rights Celebration featured speaker is Baratunde Thurston of news satire organization The Onion. He will be delivering this year’s key note address, and guests will be in for a treat.
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.
Long-time Activist to Receive ACLU’s Highest Honor
9.26.11
The ACLU of Oklahoma is excited to announce this year’s Angie Debo Civil Libertarian of the Year is Jana Lewis Harkins of Oklahoma City.
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 More >
