Rights of the Poor

Poor people are one of the least powerful groups in the U.S. and their civil liberties are therefore always in a precarious state. The ACLU has defended the rights of the poor against government arbitrariness and abuse through litigation, lobbying and public education.

Slow Water Flow to Suburbs, Community Groups Urge
Tuesday March 9, 2010
Environmental and civil rights organizations are joining forces to urge that Water Supply planning consider meaningful alternatives to facilitating the continuation of unequal and unsustainable development patterns. The organizations object to the continuing failure by regional planners to consider whether alternatives to current sprawling land use patterns would be better for the environment, and more beneficial to communities of color and low income communities.
Press Release: 3/9/2010 - Slow Water Flow to Suburbs (PDF)
Document: Comments regarding the socioeconomic impact analysis for the water supply study (PDF)

Big Brother Honadel’s Call to Fingerprint Poor Children Gives Businessmen a Bad Name
Monday, February 15, 2010
Today State Representative Mark Honadel (R-South Milwaukee) sent out a media release announcing his plan to introduce legislation to require fingerprinting of poor children in the Wisconsin Shares day care program every day at check-in and check-out. The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin opposes treating our children – including poor children -- like parts at an auto supply store or boxes of cereal at a grocery store.
Read more…
Press release: 02/15/2010 - Big Brother Honadel’s Call to Fingerprint Poor Children Gives Businessmen a Bad Name