Author: Nick Worner

04.21.14

A Day at Lucasville

Nick Worner

On April 3, 2014, the ACLU of Ohio toured the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility (SOCF), a high security prison located in southern Ohio better known by the moniker “Lucasville.”

Below are some reflections on our visit to SOCF, from three of the staff members who visited the facility.

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.

04.12.14

Media Roundup » 04/04/14 through 04/11/14

Nick Worner

* ACLU of Ohio Mentioned

• Chief Justice O’Connor slams door on debtors’ prisons – Youngstown Vindicator, 4/6*
• City to review board’s closed-door policy – Dayton Daily News, 4/6*
• Supreme Court won’t hear case on gay wedding snub – USA Today, 4/7
• Lax rules harm accountability – Columbus Dispatch, 4/7
• Legislators threaten to slash Cuyahoga County funding over FitzGerald absentee ballot mailings – Cleveland.com, 4/7
• Do Students Still Have Free Speech in School?

04.10.14

Media Roundup » 03/21/14 through 04/04/14

Nick Worner

* ACLU of Ohio Mentioned

• Parents threaten to sink Elyria Schools renewal – Elyria Chronicle Telegram, 3/22*
• Bus ride to Mount Airy simulates voter trek – Cincinatti Enquirer, 3/22
• Ohio’s false-statement law is unconstitutional – Cincinnati Enquirer, 3/23*
• Prayer continues to raise eyebrows in the Falls – Akron Beacon Journal, 3/2
• ACLU wants supreme court to review shackling of juveniles – Journal News, 3/23*
• Dayton leaders want voting changes repealed – Dayton Daily News, 3/23
• Council might vote Monday on proposed meth lab law – Chillicothe Gazette, 3/24*
• Complainers list holds risks – Columbus Dispatch, 3/24
• Too many suspensions, too few science courses plague minority schools – Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/25
• Savings for proposed online voting registration may not reach expectations from Husted, legislators – Cleveland.com, 3/25
• Pharmacists urged not to assist US executions – AP, 3/25
• New Ohio lawsuit targets traffic cameras in Dayton – WLWT, 3/25
• Danger and desperation – Toledo Blade, 3/25
• Fight about meth lab law not over yet – Chillicothe Gazette, 3/26*
• Short takes: Fraudulent voter sent bad message – Columbus Dispatch, 3/26
• Abortion clinic gets Michigan deal – Toledo Blade, 3/27
• Should Ohio enable prisoners to donate organs?: editorial board roundtable – Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/27
• Bill: Parents can track kids online – Newark Advocate, 3/28
• Blade photo equipment confiscated by military police in Lima returned – Toledo Blade, 3/28
• Case expands on youth jail seclusion – Columbus Dispatch, 3/29
• ‘I’m sitting here at gunpoint for no reason’ – Norwalk Reflector, 3/30*
• Voter Guide launched by League of Women Voters and Northeast Ohio Media Group – Cleveland.com, 3/31
• Oversight of Ohio charter schools often not by boards – Akron Beacon Journal, 3/31
• The bitter tears of the American Christian Supermajority – Al Jazeera America, 3/30
• House Bill would allow Ohio drivers to warn one another of police by flashing headlights – Cleveland.com, 3/31*
• Sheriff stands by deputies in raid dispute – Norwalk Reflector, 3/31
• Ohio legislative panel set to vote on controversial ‘enhanced’ driver’s licenses – Cleveland.com, 4/1
• Ed FitzGerald’s ‘voting rights’ legislation clears Cuyahoga council committee; Republicans dissent – Cleveland.com, 4/1
• Cuyahoga County leads the state for early absentee ballot requests as primary voting begins – Cleveland.com, 4/1
• Ohio still adding to Death Row population – Columbus Dispatch, 4/2
• “He Had Fresh Head Injuries”: What Ohio Has Been Doing to Mentally Ill Boys – Mother Jones, 4/3
• Youth advocates seek state rule on restraint – Columbus Dispatch, 4/4*
• Judge to strike down part of Ohio gay marriage law – AP, 4/4
• The Blade files lawsuit over incident at Lima tank plant – Toledo Blade, 4/4
• Critics of gay marriage ban: ‘One step closer’ – Cincinnati Enquirer, 4/4*
• Native Americans, others protest Cleveland Indians ‘Chief Wahoo’ logo prior to home opener – AP, 4/4

03.25.14

Media Roundup » 03/15/14 through 03/21/14

Nick Worner

* ACLU of Ohio Mentioned

• Enough with the early voting complaints: Brent Larkin – Cleveland.com, 3/15
• Too many requests for public records rejected, officials say – Columbus Dispatch, 3/17
• Columbus police maintain list of frequent complainers – Columbus Dispatch, 3/17*
• Ohio case gets serious and satirical attention before Supreme Court hearing – USA Today, 3/17*
• House bill to award high school credit for religious coursework: How they voted – Cleveland.com, 3/17*
• State fingerprint database may soon alert home health-care employers about workers’ crimes – Cleveland.com, 3/17
• Ohio Prisons Cashing In On Inmate Phone Calls – WOSU, 3/17*
• Shackling juveniles in court ‘necessary sometimes’ – Norwalk Reflector, 3/17*
• ACLU wants Ohio jail standards revised to include Medicaid enrollment – WKSU, 3/17*
• Fifth-grader’s ‘finger gun’ suspension stands – Columbus Dispatch, 3/18
• Paying the Price: Prison Fees and Families – All Sides with Ann Fisher, 3/18*
• Open-records access cloudy – Columbus Dispatch, 3/18
• Should lawmaker who wants governor to witness executions be forced to watch abortions?

03.17.14

Media Roundup » 02/28/14 through 03/14/14

Nick Worner

* ACLU of Ohio Mentioned

• Broad language in religious freedom bill could have prompted discriminatory behavior, particularly against gays, legal experts say – Cleveland.com, 2/28*
• GOP, abetted by Gov. Kasich, continues its shameful assault on voting rights in Ohio – Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/1
• Proposed new jail standards both praised, condemned – Columbus Dispatch, 3/2
• In old Fairfield County lockup, standards hard to meet – Columbus Dispatch, 3/2
• A speed trap is reborn – Columbus Dispatch, 3/2
• Fewer going to juvenile detention – Columbus Dispatch, 3/3
• Butler County village can’t use red-light cameras – AP, 3/3
• Cleveland and Columbus charter school concerns will be taken on by upcoming bills in the legislature – Cleveland.com, 3/3
• DeWine argues against law on political speech – Columbus Dispatch, 3/4
• Boy points finger like gun, gets suspended – Columbus Dispatch, 3/4
• Nick Worner commentary: Religious freedom never should cause harm to other people – Columbus Dispatch, 3/5*
• Nina Turner objects to cap on early voting – Columbus Dispatch, 3/5
• Ohio’s new early voting hours do nothing to enhance our election system – Akron Beacon Journal, 3/4*
• Revisions proposed for jail standards – CentralOhio.com, 3/5*
• State reports record-low Ohio inmate return rate – AP, 3/5
• EDITORIAL: Full equality is inevitable – Cincinnati Enquirer, 3/5
• Ohio Recidivism Rate Hits All-Time Low – Ideastream, 3/6*
• State Rep.

03.06.14

Religious freedom never should cause harm to other people

Danielle Doza and Nick Worner

The Bill of Rights gives us all the freedom to express our beliefs without government persecution.  For some reason, fear has spread around the country that this protection is not enough.  Religious protection bills have appeared around the nation, including the vetoed bill in Arizona and Ohio’s own Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was indefinitely postponed.

02.28.14

Media Roundup » 02/21/14 through 02/28/14

Nick Worner

* ACLU of Ohio Mentioned

• Local governor candidate denies he committed election fraud – Dayton Daily News, 2/21
• Death penalty generating debate; abolition unlikely – Dayton Daily News, 2/22
• No mayor’s court? Fine! – Columbus Dispatch, 2/22
• Start looking for early voting site now – Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/23
• Ohio Gay-Marriage Push Divides Some Advocates – The New York Times, 2/23
• Abolishing Ohio’s death penalty would be humane, economically prudent: State Rep.

02.21.14

Media Roundup » 02/14/14 through 02/21/14

Nick Worner

* ACLU of Ohio Mentioned

• Violence in County Juvenile Detention Center called “critical” – Cleveland Plain Dealer, 2/14
• National gay marriage advocates will not support ‘Freedom to Marry’ amendment slated for 2014 election – Cleveland.com, 2/14*
• Why There’s an Even Larger Racial Disparity in Private Prisons Than in Public Ones – Mother Jones, 2/17*
• Bill would require group homes to provide more info – Columbus Dispatch, 2/18
• Gay-rights suit may alter parents on birth records – Columbus Dispatch, 2/18
• Candidate denounces ‘voter intimidation’ – Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/18
• Homeland Security wants to build national database using license-plate scanners – Washington Post, 2/18
• WATCHDOG: Prisoners, ex-cons swell Medicaid rolls – Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/18
• Ohio House Republicans should walk away from bills aimed at decreasing the ease of voting in Ohio – Cleveland Plain Dealer, 2/18
• Board of Elections considering move – Dayton Daily News, 2/19
• GOP bill alters Ohio rules for provisional ballots – Columbus Dispatch, 2/19
• Study: Classes for inmates pay off – Columbus Dispatch, 2/19
• Gov.

02.15.14

Media Roundup » 02/07/14 through 02/14/14

Nick Worner

* ACLU of Ohio Mentioned

• Ohio finds new ways to make abortions harder to get – Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/7
• Immigration debate hits Ohio – Centralohio.com, 2/8*
• Public officials shouldn’t try to keep the public’s information from the public – Cleveland.com, 2/8
• State employees ‘had to pay’ for mistakenly licensing abortion clinic – Dayton Daily News, 2/8
• Delayed passage of rape legislation inexcusable – Cleveland Plain Dealer, 2/9
• Ohio Voters Bill of Rights aims to end partisan interference with voting rights: Thomas Suddes – Cleveland.com, 2/9
• Ohio Christian University collects public school dollars to teach ‘biblical truth’ as its president and lobbyist sit on state school board – Akron Beacon Journal, 2/9
• List of wrongful convictions growing – Dayton Daily News, 2/10
• Cleveland will get new safety director, chief of police Monday – Cleveland.com, 2/10
• Rules in flux on police use of GPS tracking – Columbus Dispatch, 2/10
• For-Profit Prison Industry – Dumb Investment Of The Week – ValueWalk, 2/10
• Kent State wrestler Sam Wheeler suspended for anti-gay tweets – Akron Beacon Journal, 2/10
• Deadly chase probe winding down – WKYC, 2/10
• Drone use highlights questions for journalists – AP, 2/11
• Holder: Repeal laws restricting voting by ex-felons – USA Today, 2/11
• Poll worker’s double votes head to prosecutor – Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/11
• County rethinks death penalty for children’s killers – Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/11
• Study criticizes Butler County for treatment of detainees – Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/11
• More voting-related restrictions set to move in Legislature – Marion Star, 2/11
• Washington Gov.

02.10.14

Media Roundup » 02/01/14 through 02/07/14

Nick Worner

* ACLU of Ohio Mentioned

• Election history will repeat itself in Ohio districts drawn to favor one party or the other – Cleveland.com, 2/2
• Inmate’s attorneys ask to stop execution, citing possible ‘lingering death’ – Columbus Dispatch, 2/3
• Exonerations On The Rise, And Not Just Because Of DNA – NPR, 2/4
• Right-to-work would be an unnecessary and divisive fight in Ohio: editorial – Cleveland Plain Dealer, 2/4*
• Red-light ruling a concern for cities – Columbus Dispatch, 2/4
• Will ‘War on Women’ messaging work for Ed FitzGerald and Democrats in 2014?

01.31.14

Media Roundup » 01/26/14 through 01/31/14

Nick Worner

* ACLU of Ohio Mentioned

• State constitution panel has ‘hobbling start’ – Columbus Dispatch, 1/26
• Traffic enforcement cameras violate due process rights: Ohio Rep. Dale Mallory – Cleveland.com, 1/26
• Ohio parents’ lawsuit accuses teacher of duct-taping girl with disabilities to chair, screaming at kids, stealing snacks – AP, 1/26
• South Side neighborhood installs own cameras – Columbus Dispatch, 1/27*
• Study details Ohio nonprofits’ funding, needs – Columbus Dispatch, 1/27
• Early Voting Could Move Outside Downtown – Cincinnati CityBeat, 1/27
• Rights of mentally ill key in legislative debate – Columbus Dispatch, 1/27
• Officials investigate whether executed killer faked suffocation – Columbus Dispatch, 1/27
• Private Prisons: The Case for Divestment – Huffington Post, 1/27
• New Tech Brings Convenience, Privacy Concerns – The Sound of Ideas, 1/28*
• Traffic camera court ruling has Cleveland suburbs mulling options – Cleveland.com, 1/28
• Deregulating elections is handing a megaphone to wealthy special interests: Bryan Stewart – Cleveland.com, 1/28
• First-term Ohio House lawmakers finding their way – Columbus Dispatch, 1/28
• Ohio lawmakers to consider state-run prison factories – Cleveland.com, 1/28*
• Ohio may exclude teachers from gun accident liability – Dayton Daily News, 1/28
• Abortion is a medical, not a political, issue – Cincinnati Enquirer, 1/28
• Get some traction – Columbus Dispatch, 1/29
• Husted weighs in on early voting location – Cincinnati Enquirer, 1/30
• Neighborhood surveillance – Columbus Dispatch, 1/29
• Husted touts track record, says Ohio is among nation’s leaders in voting security – Clevleand.com, 1/30
• Watch yourself in mayor’s court – Cincinnati Enquirer, 1/30
• Police carry special drug to reverse heroin overdoses – USA Today, 1/31
• Statehouse off-limits for gay ceremonies – Columbus Dispatch, 1/31
• Akron man latest Ohio inmate to be freed by DNA testing – Columbus Dispatch, 1/31
• Pete Seeger let his conscience be his guide: editorial – Cleveland Plain Dealer, 1/31
• Ruling on abortion clinic to come Friday – Cincinnati Enquirer, 1/31
• Judge: Sharonville abortion clinic can stay open as it appeals a state order to close – AP, 1/31
• Ohio public school considers anti-gay, ‘Christian’ commentator for coaching job – Outlook Columbus, 1/31*

01.25.14

Media Roundup » 01/18/14 through 01/24/14

Nick Worner

* ACLU of Ohio Mentioned

• Proposed law sparks debate over student expulsions – Hamilton County Journal News, 1/19*
• Egregious execution – Toledo Blade, 1/19
• Dispatch special report: Private cops being shielded from the public – Columbus Dispatch, 1/19
• Ohio judge to rule on refund of fines from village’s traffic cameras, which he calls a ‘scam’ – Cleveland.com, 1/20
• Bill clarified that state auditor’s authority over JobsOhio’s books is limited: How they voted – Cleveland.com, 1/20
• Legislative Democrats push anti-death penalty bills following controversial execution – Cleveland.com, 1/20
• EDITORIAL: Protect our right to vote – Cincinnati Enquirer, 1/20
• Execution spurs calls to suspend death penalty – Columbus Dispatch, 1/21*
• Ohio abortion clinic ordered to close – Columbus Dispatch, 1/21
• Policing isn’t private – Columbus Dispatch, 1/21
• Google Glass wearer removed from Easton theater, interrogated – Columbus Dispatch, 1/21
• Bill Giving Public School Credit For Off-Campus Religious Education Passes Ohio House – Christian Post, 1/21*
• Execution Problems Revive Talk of Using Firing Squads and the Electric Chair – Time, 1/21*
• Should politicians have the right to lie?

01.18.14

Media Roundup » 01/11/14 through 01/17/14

Nick Worner

* ACLU of Ohio Mentioned

• A welcome judicial rebuke to legislators’ attempt to impair third-party Ohio ballot access – Cleveland Plain Dealer, 1/11
• DeWine has voiced own doubts about election law – Columbus Dispatch, 1/12
• It’s time to take the death penalty off life support – Cleveland Plain Dealer, 1/11
• Manipulating voting laws to win elections has long been a GOP game in Ohio: Thomas Suddes – Cleveland.com, 1/12
• Charging for jail stays harms inmates, doesn’t help county – Youngstown Vindicator, 1/13*
• Ohio to pursue drone development despite FAA snub – AP, 1/13
• Trials a rarity in Ohio, U.S.

01.13.14

Media Roundup » 01/04/14 through 01/10/14

Nick Worner

* ACLU of Ohio Mentioned

• Discipline decisions mostly left up to individual educators – Massillon Independent, 1/5
• Opinions vary on why Ohio snubbed on drone project – Columbus Dispatch, 1/
• Potential voter fraud cases from 2012 election often dropped as simple mistakes, elderly confusion – Cleveland.com, 1/7
• Tinkering with Ohio’s machinery of death – Cleveland.com, 1/7
• Libertarians win Ohio ballot challenge – AP, 1/8*
• The Long And Winding Road To An Opaque Government, Part 1: Security Documents – Plunderbund, 1/8*
• Local police refuse to participate in ‘voluntary’ traffic checkpoints – Russia Today, 1/8*
• Government: End overly zealous discipline in schools – AP, 1/8
• NSA Controversies Spur States into Action – Stateline, 1/9*
• Cincinnati rescue asks ACLU Ohio to intervene on state exotic animal ban – Cincinnati Enquirer, 1/10*
• Cops use armored military vehicles to deliver shock and awe during routine police work – RawStory, 1/10*
• State officials appeal court order allowing minor-party primary elections this spring – Cleveland.com, 1/10
• Supreme Court to mull right to lie in political ads – Politico, 1/10

01.04.14

Media Roundup » 12/21/13 through 01/03/13

Nick Worner

* ACLU of Ohio Mentioned

• Gov. Kasich undermines State Medical Board with pro-life appointments: Arthur Lavin – Cleveland.com, 12/21
• Photo ID law would be costly and unnecessary: Ohio Rep. Kathleen Clyde – Cleveland.com, 12/28
• Drone Use Soars in Latin America, Remains Widely Unregulated – Truthout, 12/30
• ‘If I Need ID to Buy Cough Syrup, Why Shouldn’t I Need ID to Vote?’ – The Atlantic, 12/30*
• State laws threaten access to abortion – Canton Repository, 12/31*
• Portman says FAA should have picked Ohio – Portsmouth Daily Times, 12/31*
• 2013 Was a Year of Abortion Restrictions in the Ohio Statehouse – Ideastream, 12/31*
• Pass online voter registration bill, severance-tax boost – Cleveland Plain Dealer, 1/1
• Ohio lawmakers’ 2014 agenda includes budget changes, tax overhauls – Cleveland.com, 1/2

12.21.13

Media Roundup » 12/13/13 through 12/20/13

Nick Worner

* ACLU of Ohio Mentioned

• Prisoner and Reporter Talk about ACLU Lawsuit over Media Access to Lucasville Riot Inmates – Ideastream, 12/13*
• Redistricting reform needs to be a priority for the state’s constitutional modernization commission – Cleveland Plain Dealer, 12/14
• Ohio’s 2014 legislative calendar will be crammed with election-year politicking and backroom pleading – Cleveland.com, 12/15
• Cleveland Police: recent slayings of transgender women are ‘crimes of hate’ – Cleveland.com, 12/15
• Cameras becoming part of police’s uniform – Columbus Dispatch, 12/15
• Judge: NSA phone program likely unconstitutional – Politico, 12/16
• Lakewood City Council OKs ordinance requiring city provide health benefits to same-sex domestic partners – Cleveland.com, 12/17
• Ohio online voter registration bill shamefully stalled by Republicans – Cleveland Plain Dealer, 12/17
• Grand jury indicts DNA profile in Franklin County rape case – Columbus Dispatch, 12/18
• Prison company launches job-saving campaign – Youngstown Vindicator, 12/18
• Next police chief lives dream of life on beat – Toledo Blade, 12/18
• 17 people caught casting illegal ballots in 2012 election – Columbus Dispatch, 12/18
• Bill proposed to allow legally married same-sex couples to file joint income tax returns in Ohio – Cleveland.com, 12/18
• Colorado Courts Jailing The Poor Who Are Unable To Pay Fines For Minor Violations – Huffington Post, 12/19 *
• Executions in U.S.

12.14.13

Media Roundup » 12/07/13 through 12/13/13

Nick Worner

• Nick Worner commentary: Legislature bent on making voting harder – Columbus Dispatch, 12/7
• Unclear how Ohio religious-freedom bill fits with church-state divide – Columbus Dispatch, 12/9
• Cellphone Companies Reveal How Often They Hand Your Data Over to Law Enforcement – Slate.com, 12/9
• Agencies collected data on Americans’ cellphone use in thousands of ‘tower dumps’ – Washington Post, 12/9
• ACLU sues state prisons over lack of access to inmates – Columbus Dispatch, 12/9
• State school board member resigns after possible ethics violation – Columbus Dispatch, 12/9
• Akron teacher accused of racist post is fired – WKYC, 12/9
• Ohio House likely to take up voter database legislation this week, hold off on other elections bills – Cleveland.com, 12/10
• Bedford city and court officials refuse to release county subpoenas for records in probe – Cleveland Plain Dealer, 12/10
• Lewis ’55: executive, University trustee, marijuana activist – The Daily Princetonian, 12/11

12.12.13

Ohio Legislature Bent on Making Voting Harder

Nick Worner

Below is an excerpt from an Op/Ed that appeared in The Columbus Dispatch on 12/07/2013.

It’s no big secret that manipulating voting laws is a partisan blood sport in Ohio. The controversies of 2004 are the stuff of legend, and in 2012 we saw a voting bill so obviously partisan that the voters themselves organized a ballot referendum to strike it down.

12.07.13

Media Roundup: 11/24/13 through 12/06/13

Nick Worner

• Gun-bill provision worries cities – Columbus Dispatch, 11/25
• Did Hamilton Co. prosecutor Joe Deters vote improperly? – Cincinnati Enquirer, 11/25
• Statue of Jesus sought near school that removed painting – Columbus Dispatch, 11/26
• Peter Lewis is praised at his funeral for his drive, creativity and generosity – Cleveland Plain Dealer, 11/27
• Toledo prison officer attacked by inmate identified – Toledo Blade, 11/27
• Constitution Party, Greens seek to join lawsuit challenging new rules for minor parties – Cleveland.com, 11/27
• Senate must oppose Stand Your Ground Lite gun bill pending in Columbus – Cleveland Plain Dealer, 11/28
• Ohio should not countenance the abridgement of voting rights – Cleveland Plain Dealer, 11/30
• Rejected Ohio license plates: C IF UR PL8 IS OK – Columbus Dispatch, 11/30
• Legal-marijuana supporters lose big benefactor with Progressive Insurance chief’s death – AP, 12/2
• Early voting legislation a disservice to Ohio voters: Ellis Jacobs, Miami Valley Voter Protection Coalition – Cleveland.com, 12/2
• ACLU sues Conference of Catholic Bishops over hospital ethics – AP, 12/2
• JobsOhio does not have to turn over records, the Ohio Supreme Court rules – Columbus Dispatch, 12/3
• Consultants: Kidnapper Ariel Castro’s death a suicide – AP, 12/3
• Despite study, national experts still puzzled by rise in Ohio prison suicides – Cleveland.com, 12/3
• ALEC facing funding crisis from donor exodus in wake of Trayvon Martin row – The Guardian, 12/3
• Fight sends Lake Erie Correctional inmate to the hospital – WKYC, 12/3
• Proposed bill would protect expressions of religion – Columbus Dispatch, 12/4
• Ohio GOP Resurrects Voter Suppression Efforts – The Nation, 12/4
• NSA tracking cellphone locations worldwide, Snowden documents show – The Washington Post, 12/4
• Kasich, Fitzgerald Oppose Effort To Repeal Death Penalty – 10TV, 12/4
• ACLU Letter to the Editor: Peter Lewis was not afraid to support issues outside of mainstream – Cleveland Plain Dealer, 12/4
• Ohio Judge: Drivers Cannot Be Searched for Being ‘Overly Polite’ – Cleveland Scene, 12/5
• ACLU warns Lebanon schools about creationism in class – Dayton Daily News, 12/5
• Mason officials warn student about confederate flag – Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/5
• Ohio pulls plans to comply with federal ID law – Columbus Dispatch, 12/6
• Breaking the Chain – Toledo City Paper, 12/6

11.26.13

Civil Liberties and the Holidays

Nick Worner

Our nation’s founders understood that true religious liberty can only flourish when the government remains neutral on matters of faith.

With this in mind, people often have questions during the holiday season about the constitutionality of various celebrations going in their towns or schools.

11.25.13

Media Roundup » Week of 11/16/13

Nick Worner

• Downtown Cincinnati panhandlers a growing presence – Cincinnati Enquirer, 11/15
• The Senate votes to end employment discrimination against gays; now the House must take up the cause – Plain Dealer, 11/17
• Another Ohio prison inmate commits suicide – AP, 11/18
• Arguments to ricochet as gun bill is debated – Columbus Dispatch, 11/18
• Supreme Court upholds firing of teacher in religious-symbols case – Columbus Dispatch, 11/19
• ‘Stand Your Ground’ Gun Bill Clears Hurdle At Ohio Statehouse – 10TV, 11/19
• Panhandling as public speech – Akron Beacon Journal, 11/19
• Next Stop On The Road To Surveillance State: License Plate Scanners – Huffington Post, 11/20
• Right to vote – Toledo Blade, 11/21/13
• State audit of JobsOhio doesn’t find conflict-of-interest problems, but recommends bolstering safeguards – Cleveland.com, 11/21
• Ohio Man Faces Felony Drug Charges for Empty “Hidden Compartment,” Even Though He Had No Drugs – Opposing Views, 11/21
• Ohio to close another juvenile prison – Dayton Daily News, 11/21
• Humans shipped across the country!: How America exports inmates to private prisons – Salon.com, 11/22
• Ohio’s election reforms should not include photo ID requirement or major cuts to early voting – Cleveland.com, 11/22

11.16.13

Media Roundup » 11/01/13 through 11/15/13

Nick Worner

• Supreme Court to hear new case on religion in public life – Washington Post, 11/1
• Voter ID law snags former House Speaker Jim Wright – Fort Worth Star Telegram, 11/2
• Commentary: Timing an issue for Republicans pushing minor party bill – Dix Capital Bureau, 11/4
• Coal Baron and Major Ken Cuccinelli Campaign Donor Sues Blogger for Defamation, Invasion of Privacy – Desmogblog, 11/3
• JobsOhio case may limit how laws can be fought – Columbus Dispatch, 11/4
• Portman votes to advance bill protecting gays at work – Gannett, 11/5
• 26,000 people have your picture in Ohio – WKYC, 11/5
• State continues to ponder Conneaut prison training facility – Ashtabula Star Beacon, 11/6
• Ohio legislature passes new ballot-access rules for minor political parties; Libertarians promise lawsuit – Cleveland.com, 11/6
• Complaint claims prayer led to Muslims’ firing from DHL – Cincinnati Enquirer, 11/7
• Supreme Court considering letting average citizen sue for law changes – Dix Capital Bureau, 11/7
• 9 women block street near Cleveland intersection to protest Republicans in Congress they say are holding up immigration reform – Plain Dealer, 11/7
• U.S.

11.05.13

Standing on the Side of Justice

Nick Worner

On Saturday, November 2, 2013, a coalition of faith groups, unions, professional associations, community groups, and rights organizations (including the ACLU of Ohio) held a rally at the Ohio Statehouse.

Visit our Facebook album for pictures from the rally.

At this rally, we called 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.

11.02.13

Media Roundup » Week of 11/01/13

Nick Worner

• Panel recommends Mike DeWine restrict access to facial recognition software on state’s crime data system – Cleveland.com, 10/26
• Republican’s absentee-ballot bill for Ohio criticized – Columbus Dispatch, 10/2
• Licking County voters riled by cut in polling places – Columbus Dispatch, 10/28
• Ohio: Child killer to get untried 2-drug injection – Associated Press, 10/28
• There’s still a need for public input – Canton Repository, 10/28/13
• Texas court ruling won’t have an immediate impact on Ohio’s abortion laws, both sides say – Cleveland.com, 10/29
• Minor Parties Unite Against GOP-Driven Ballot Restrictions – 10TV, 10/29
• Legislator’s “pro drone” aircraft bill would limit use by law enforcement without a warrant – Cleveland.com, 10/29
• After struggle, committee approves minority parties bill – Columbus Dispatch, 10/30
• Audit: Private Prison Retains Increased Levels of Violence – Cincinnati CityBeat, 10/30
• Ohio’s self-defense law doesn’t need fixing, officials say – Columbus Dispatch, 10/30
• Cuyahoga County and the state are served better by keeping felons close to home – Cleveland.com, 10/30
• Ohio Lawmakers Debate Series Of Gun Laws – 10TV, 10/30
• Cleveland police union files grievance to contest discipline of officers involved in fatal Nov.

10.26.13

Media Roundup: Week of 10/20/13

Nick Worner

• Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction: Rehab at core of our mission – Toledo Blade, 10/20
• High School Football Player Kicked off Team, Suspended Over Poem – Fox8 Cleveland, 10/22
• Ohio ACLU files suit over right to write on sidewalk – Toledo Blade, 10/23
• Group gets OK to write with chalk on sidewalk – Toledo Blade, 10/24
• School Officials: Student’s Poem Punishment Overturned – Fox8 Cleveland, 10/24
• Audit: Private Prison Retains Increased Levels of Violence – Cincinnati CityBeat, 10/24
• Ohio Abortion Clinic Closings Likely to Accelerate Under New State Regulations – Cleveland.com, 10/25
• Since Ohio Is Forcing Abortion Clinics Out Of Business, More Women Are Leaving The State To Get Care – ThinkProgress, 10/25
• Arm police officers in schools, voters say – Columbus Dispatch, 10/25
• Face-check access goes beyond Ohio – Cincinnati Enquirer, 10/25/13
• State Says Ohio Prison Inmate Commits Suicide – AP, 10/25/13

10.24.13

Standing Against the Death Penalty

Nick Worner

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.

10.10.13

Media Roundup: ACLU Files Lawsuit Over Abortion Restrictions in Ohio Budget

Nick Worner

On October 9, 2013, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio announced a lawsuit challenging three of the controversial abortion-related amendments passed in June as part of the state’s massive budget bill (HB 59).

Below, you’ll find video footage of this press conference, and some highlights from the subsequent media coverage.

09.07.13

Suicide is not Justice: On the death of Ariel Castro

Nick Worner

Let’s start by acknowledging what nearly everyone already knows. Ariel Castro was convicted of heinous crimes for which he deserved to be punished. With that in mind, his suicide just one month into his sentence does not fill the public with a great deal of grief.

09.06.13

About-Face: The Troubled Launch of Ohio’s New Facial Recognition System

Nick Worner

In June 2013, The Ohio Attorney General’s office flipped the switch on a new facial recognition program that allows the government to compare anonymous snapshots to the state’s existing database of license photos and mug shots in order to look for a match.