COLUMBUS- Amy Goodman, award winning national radio host of “Democracy Now!” and best selling author, will be the keynote speaker at The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio’s statewide conference, “Action! A conference for civil libertarians.” The conference will be held on July 30-31 at the Hyatt Capital Square, 75 E. State St., Columbus. Goodman will speak at 12:40 p.m. on July 31 and will be available to sign her new book, Breaking the Sound Barrier, after her talk.

ACLU of Ohio Executive Director Christine Link said, “For years, Amy Goodman and ‘Democracy Now!’ have been leaders in engaging progressive activists around the nation on important civil liberties issues. Amy’s passion for justice and fairness serve as a model for those who wish to make a difference in their own communities.”

In addition to her role at “Democracy Now!,” Goodman is the first journalist to receive the Right Livelihood Award, widely known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize.” She is the author of four New York Times bestsellers. Her latest book, Breaking the Sound Barrier, proves the power of independent journalism in the struggle for a better world. She co-authored the first three bestsellers, Standing Up to the Madness, Static, and The Exception to the Rulers, with her brother, journalist David Goodman.

Over 50 speakers will present breakout sessions on July 31 on a wide array of civil liberties issues. Some notable presenters include: Ethan Nadelmann, executive director and founder of the Drug Policy Alliance; Mary Beth Tinker, plaintiff in the landmark student free speech case on whether she could wear a black arm band to school to protest the Vietnam War; and Louise Melling, director for the ACLU’s Center for Liberty.

The conference will begin on July 30 at 7 p.m. with a special reception honoring ACLU of Ohio volunteer attorneys. Cost to attend the entire conference is $65 for ACLU members, $85 for non-members, and $15 for students or those with a limited income.

Registration, agendas, speaker biographies, and other information can be found at www.acluohio.org/conference2010.