Commentary

  • 05.30.18

    Employee Spotlight: Emma Keeshin

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    Get to know the ACLU of Ohio team by checking out our Employee Spotlight blogs! You may know that Emma is from the beautiful state of  Vermont, that she loves to dance, and that she is an alumna of  Oberlin College, but today we found out some new fun facts! Read on for more information.… more »

  • 05.23.18

    FAQs – Congressional Redistricting Litigation

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        On May 23, 2018, the ACLU of Ohio filed a lawsuit challenging Ohio’s Federal Congressional District maps.       Who is lawsuit is brought against? The lawsuit is brought against Ohio Secretary of State John Husted, Ohio Senate Majority Leader Larry Obhof, and Interim House Speaker Ryan Smith. Who is the ACLU… more »

  • Police car's sirens

    05.18.18

    Are Law Enforcement Officers Committed to Safety for All, or Just Some?

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    In case you didn’t know, it’s National Police Week. Let’s reflect on what’s missing from the conversation. We can all agree that we want our neighborhoods to feel safe. But “safe” can mean many different things to many different people. And too often, governments have used the idea of “safety” as a way to diminish… more »

  • 05.15.18

    When Politicians Use Social Media to Silence Their Critics

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    It took many decades of lawsuits and court decisions to establish the parameters and boundaries of free speech in this country.  As a result, society has reasonably clear guidance on who can speak, when they can speak, where they can speak, and what they can say without running afoul of interference or punishment from their… more »

  • 05.09.18

    Redistricting 101

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    Single-party control and fair map-drawing seem to go together about as well as peanut butter and trout. After all, is there anything more political than drawing the very lines that can keep politicians in power? This has been the central issue plaguing redistricting for generations. Our political system has been set up with winners and… more »

  • 05.01.18

    Employee Spotlight: James Kosmatka

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    Get to know the ACLU of Ohio team by checking out our Employee Spotlight blogs! You may know that James has a background in theatre and used to work at Cleveland Public Theatre, or that he once appeared on Jeopardy! but today we found out some new fun facts! Read on for more information.  … more »

  • 04.24.18

    Modernizing Paid Leave Policies

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    One of the recurring lessons of working in the social justice universe is how often doing what is right is also what is best for a corporation, government, or organization. Paid family leave is one of those lessons. The New York Times recently celebrated Walmart, Starbucks and others offering more comprehensive family and medical leave… more »

  • 04.17.18

    When a Call For Help Can Lead to Your Eviction

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    When someone calls 911, they expect that a first-responder is going to arrive and provide assistance.  One wouldn’t expect that an eviction notice could arrive shortly after multiple calls for help, because it simply doesn’t make sense. For some Ohioans living in 50 cities with so called “nuisance” orders, this is their reality. As a… more »

  • 04.12.18

    Organizing Tactics for the 2018 Election Season

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    Want to work for a local campaign? Need some tips on how to make your voice heard during election season? We’ve got 10 steps you can take to actively participate in politics at the local, state, or federal level. Additionally, don’t forget to vote in every possible election! The May 8 primaries have early voting… more »

  • 04.09.18

    Ruth Bader Ginsburg. A Hero. An Icon. A Dissenter

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    “I dissent” is the legal battle cry tearing apart majority opinions and explaining why the court should have ruled differently. Numerous Supreme Court Justices have written these words, but few have done so as movingly as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, popularly known as the “Notorious RBG.” Her resonating, dissenting opinions identify key aspects where the… more »