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05.23.14
Locked Up, Locked Out: Solitary Confinement in Ohio
Melissa Bilancini
Imagine spending 22 – 24 hours a day in a room the size of a parking space. TVs, radios, and reading materials may or may not be available. Visits from family are strictly limited, if permitted at all. Almost all human contact occurs while in restraints or through a barrier.
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05.22.14
Think that’s a cell phone you’re carrying?
Melissa Bilancini
This is the fourth in a series of posts focusing on issues we will be tackling at the 2014 ACLU of Ohio biennial conference, Resist. Reclaim. Restore Your Rights!
It may make calls, but your cell phone is actually a tracking beacon.
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05.08.14
Will Reforming the Death Penalty Become as Controversial as the Death Penalty Itself?
Melissa Bilancini
This is the third in a series of posts focusing on issues we will be tackling at the 2014 ACLU of Ohio biennial conference, Resist. Reclaim. Restore Your Rights!
Recently the Ohio Supreme Court Death Penalty Task Force released recommendations for improving Ohio’s oft-criticized death penalty system.
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05.02.14
Meet Jack Dawley, 2014 Freedom’s Flame Award Recipient
Melissa Bilancini and Tim Cable
To kick off our 2014 biennial conference, Resist. Reclaim. Restore Your Rights! the ACLU of Ohio is proud to honor Jack Dawley with the 2014 Freedom’s Flame Award.
When Jack contacted us in the summer of 2012, he had reached his lowest point.
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04.18.14
Automatic License Plate Readers: A Recipe for Trouble
Nick Worner and Melissa Bilancini
Privacy isn’t about hiding your information. Privacy is about controlling your information. That’s why automatic license plate readers (ALPR’s) are so troubling.
There’s nothing new about police officers checking individual license plates sporadically throughout the day. But a machine that scans every single plate that passes by 24/7 is something totally different.
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10.31.13
We all make mistakes. Some of us pay for them for the rest of our lives.
Melissa Bilancini
On Saturday, November 2, 2013 a coalition of faith groups, unions, professional associations, community groups, and rights organizations (including the ACLU of Ohio) will hold a rally at the Ohio Statehouse. At this rally, we will call on Ohio lawmakers to halt the death penalty, end the war on drugs and the epidemic of mass incarceration, break the many reentry barriers for the formerly incarcerated, and put a stop to “stand your ground” proposals in Ohio.
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10.15.13
We’re going purple!
Melissa Bilancini
On October 17, ACLU of Ohio staff will be dressed in purple for Spirit Day, a national day against bulling and in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth.
We’re not the only ones going purple. Betty White, everyone’s favorite Golden Girl, will be “Betty Purple” on October 17.
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08.15.13
Journal Entry 4: Should we be concerned about drones?
Melissa Bilancini
ACLU of Ohio Policy Coordinator Melissa Bilancini recently went under cover at the 2nd Annual Ohio UAS Conference. This is an account of what she learned…
I leave this conference with my head full of information and concerns about the future of Ohio’s skies.
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08.07.13
Journal Entry 3: What’s the FAA got to do with it?
Melissa Bilancini
ACLU of Ohio Policy Coordinator Melissa Bilancini recently went under cover at the 2nd Annual Ohio UAS Conference. This is an account of what she learned…
What’s the FAA got to do with it?
In short: everything. I learned in today’s workshop on regulations that Congress tasked the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with incorporating drones into the national airspace system, and developing six test sites where such integration can be tested.
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07.31.13
Journal Entry 2: Drones: “In theater” and in Ohio
Melissa Bilancini
ACLU of Ohio Policy Coordinator Melissa Bilancini recently went under cover at the 2nd Annual Ohio UAS Conference. This is an account of what she learned…
Thus far, my cover is holding.
Conference attendees are really surprised that a social worker would have an interest in drones.
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07.22.13
Journal Entry 1: Game of Drones
Melissa Bilancini
ACLU of Ohio Policy Coordinator Melissa Bilancini recently went under cover at the 2nd Annual Ohio UAS Conference. This is an account of what she learned…
I’m deep undercover at the Ohio UAS Conference. My cover story? “I’m just a part-time social work professor with an interest in drones and other new technologies.”
My real story?