08.25.14
Standing Between You & Your Rights: Is This Really Good Government? (Part One)
By Adrienne Gavula
Part One – The Bureaucratic Smoke Screen: Since the 1970s, termination of pregnancy has become legal and accessible in most developed countries. In the U.S., however, women have experienced only barriers. With a focus on patients, opponents have used waiting periods; mandated, medically unnecessary tests; healthcare coverage bans; gestational limits; and required counseling to construct… more »
08.22.14
Stark County Citizens Set Example for Rest of Ohio
By Gary Daniels
“I didn’t realize, while I was on the bench that when I sentenced someone to 5-6 years I was sentencing them to life”. Those are the words of former Stark County Common Pleas Judge Harry Klide, who sat with me recently to discuss criminal justice reform. Those words were wonderful to hear as, for decades,… more »
08.18.14
Civil Liberties Field Notes: What’s Rational About Wage Discrimination?
By Steve David
I was unpacking my literature bag at the sign-in table when a man approached me and shook my hand. “You know,” he said, picking up a bust card, “the first check I ever wrote was to the ACLU. Check number 101. That was a long time ago now.” I thanked him for his contributions and… more »
Tags: Equal Pay, Women's Rights
08.15.14
ACLU in the Courts: Fighting for Your Voting Rights
By Mike Brickner
Five ACLU staff attorneys. Multiple volunteer attorneys, clerks, and legal assistants. Hundreds of hours of staff time fighting unfair restrictions on Ohioans’ right to vote. On Monday, August 11, the ACLU of Ohio and ACLU National Voting Rights Project went to court in Columbus to challenge cuts to early voting that will hurt working Ohioans.… more »
08.15.14
Is Ohio’s Death Penalty in Its Last Throes?
By Mike Brickner
It shouldn’t be news to anyone who has read a paper or watched television that there are significant problems with lethal injection. This year, Ohio, Oklahoma and Arizona have all had executions that left witnesses with little doubt that they were botched. In Ohio, after the prolonged execution of Dennis McGuire where he was seen… more »
08.10.14
Inside the Courtroom: Gay Marriage Gets its Day in Ohio
By Lisa Wurm
“If I told you it took 78 years crossing the desert back and forth and back and forth, would you be surprised?” This quote said by Judge Martha Craig Daughtrey during the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit hearings on six marriage equality cases, sums up the day. Judge Daughtrey was responding to… more »
Tags: LGBT Rights, Marriage Equality
08.08.14
Help Kids and Lose Your Funding: New Legislation’s Heartless Approach to Immigration Crisis
By Gary Daniels
There is a crisis going on and, like all crises, things are not working out perfectly. In this case, the latest concern is the estimated 57,000+ people who have found their way to the southern border of the U.S. and into the country. These migrants fled their home countries in Central America to escape widespread… more »
Tags: ICE
08.07.14
The Challenge of Voting
By Steve David
Voting can be hard. The merits of candidates, sides of issues, and conflicting messages force us to make difficult decisions at the voting booth. We often have hard conversations with family, friends, and colleagues that examine our beliefs and challenge our thinking. Addressing challenging questions is critical for maintaining a rich and effective democracy. However,… more »
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08.06.14
Guest Blog – How Ohio’s Marriage Ban Affected My Family
By Deb Green
This guest blog post comes from Deb Green, who graciously chose to share her story of what it was like growing up gay and transgender in a small area from Northwest Ohio in the 1970’s. After finding the love of her life, Lillie Ward (Lil), they were unfortunately unable to openly be together. After 16… more »
Tags: LGBT Rights, Marriage Equality 
08.04.14
With No Legal Authority, Ohio Jails Detain Immigrants
By Gary Daniels
While Americans of all political persuasions continue the debate about who enters this country and under what circumstances, an important development is taking place under the radar, away from the yelling. For several years, local jails have cooperated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to screen all new prisoners. The jails send fingerprints to ICE,… more »
Tags: ICE