The ACLU of Ohio mourns the loss of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, a friend of civil liberties and a champion for fairness and equity for all people.

Stephanie Tubbs Jones defended civil liberties, even when it was difficult or unpopular. She opposed  government abuses of power in the Patriot Act, Military Commissions Act and Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. She supported reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act and the renewal of the Americans with Disabilities Act. She stood up for the Youth Promises Act and whistleblower protection. She opposed expansion of the death penalty, as well as mandatory minimum sentences and disproportionate drug sentencing.  She argued against school vouchers.  She was an advocate for reproductive rights, LGBT rights, and the general expansion of freedoms for all.

Stephanie Tubbs Jones participated in an October 1995 ACLU Crime Forum in Cleveland with Michael Walker (l), then executive director of the Task Force on Violent Crime,  and Ira Glasser (r), then national ACLU executive director.

Stephanie Tubbs Jones with students at Campus Connection 2005, a      gathering of college Gay/Straight Alliances (GSAs) and other groups that promote respect and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons.

Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones - Cleveland Plain Dealer - August 20, 2008

Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Lawmaker, Dies at 58 - New York Times - August 20, 2008