03.18.16
“No one believes a Felon”
By Shakyra Diaz
I recently conducted a training for a group of incarcerated women which outlined what to do if you’re stopped by the police. As we discussed how to file a complaint if treated unfairly by an officer, one woman declared, “No one believes a felon.” The other women in the room nodded their heads in affirmation. … more »
03.16.16
Whose Side Are You On? ACLU and Free Speech: Part I
By Maria Bruno
As an employee of the ACLU, sometimes talking about my job can be a challenge. Those who have heard of the ACLU tend to associate us with “crazy liberals,” defending the KKK, or being anti-Christian. These are not the easiest associations to shed. The ACLU is a nonpartisan organization that specifically avoids aligning itself with… more »
Tags: elections, Free Speech
03.04.16
Love is Not Protected in Fair Housing
By Darlene N. English
“Love is love” was the refrain we heard last year as gay marriage became legal in the United States. Unfortunately, love is not protected in fair housing. LGBTQ Renters in Cuyahoga County Face Persistent Discrimination In the majority of states in the U.S., sexual orientation and gender identity are not protected classes, meaning housing providers… more »
02.26.16
Disability Rights Ohio calls for Enforcement of Ohio Department of Education Rule on Restraint and Seclusion
By Danielle Gray
Last year thousands of Ohio students were restrained or secluded in school, placing them at risk of injury and trauma. This happened despite a rule that was put in place specifically to stop this practice. In 2013, upon the urging of Disability Rights Ohio, the ACLU of Ohio, and other advocates, the Ohio Department of… more »
02.19.16
How Do We Know if Police Are Obeying the Law?
By Nathan Cindrich
For years, the story has been the same. Its plot involves unnecessary stops, disproportionate responses, and inexcusable use-of-force. People of color in Cleveland, and cities like it across the country, have become intimately familiar with this narrative. Police enforce the law in different ways depending on who they are policing. And how does this story… more »
02.16.16
Treat heroin with heroin, as Swiss have done
By Mike Uth
Beginning in the 1970’s, Switzerland faced a surge in heroin abuse much like the one we are seeing now in Ohio. Then, as now, the surge devastated families and communities, and was accompanied by increased crime, homelessness, overdose deaths and increased rates of HIV infection. Year after year of harsh criminal penalties had no effect.… more »
02.12.16
Do White Lives Matter More in Ohio Executions?
By Maria Bruno
There are plenty of powerful arguments against the use of the death penalty. The frequency of wrongful convictions, the massive financial burden on states, and the moral qualms against government-sanctioned murder are a few of the most common. A study released earlier this year by Frank Baumgartner of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill… more »
02.08.16
It’s 2016 and everybody’s watching. Get registered Ohio.
By Chris Geggie
Even though our state plays such a huge role in determining the direction of one of the most powerful countries in the world, voters remain disengaged, especially in primary elections. According to data from the Ohio Secretary of State, the average voter turnout in primary elections since 1986 is about 28.55 percent. In Ohio’s last… more »
02.05.16
Living With HIV Should Not Be A Crime
By Nathan Cindrich
If a person living with HIV in Ohio is convicted of a crime, they may automatically receive a harsher sentence just because they have HIV. These punishments are applied without regard to the facts of how HIV can be spread. Even worse, they actively hinder efforts to prevent new infections. HIV Criminalization Laws Ignore Science… more »
02.03.16
“Prison for Profit” ACLU of Ohio Documentary Wins 2nd Award
By Avery Martens
The ACLU of Ohio’s groundbreaking film “Prisons for Profit” has been recognized as one of the top documentaries in 2015 by an international audience. Most recently, the film has been selected as the Silver Award Winner in the 2015 Spotlight Documentary Film Awards. This is the film’s second award, after receiving the Bronze Prize by… more »