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UW Milwaukee Police Conduct Report Leaves Unanswered Questions, Says ACLU of WI
Thursday August 26, 2010
On March 4th, students at the UW-Milwaukee campus gathered to rally over the increase of tuition rates. When they took their message to the University's administration building, police and protesters had a confrontation and students were arrested and ticketed. The ACLU of WI called for an investigation to review the use of force by campus police against protesters. However, the partial release of a report on police conduct by law enforcement experts and the Vice Chancellor leaves questions unanswered. “We recognize that officers have a great deal of responsibility and work in often difficult circumstances," said Executive Director Chris Ahmuty. "Difficult circumstances do not diminish their responsibility to use constitutional police methods.” Read more…
Press Release: 8/26/2010 - ACLU of Wisconsin Responds to Partial Release of Report on UW Milwaukee Police Actions During March 4th Incident

ACLU of WI Wins Lawsuit Over Deficient Health are in WI Women’s Prisons
Thursday August 20, 2010
The ACLU of Wisconsin has filed papers seeking court approval of an agreement to settle a longstanding class-action lawsuit charging that grossly deficient medical and mental health care jeopardized the lives of female prisoners at the state’s largest women’s prison. As part of the agreement, state officials have agreed to implement a number of significant structural improvements aimed at ensuring that female prisoners receive the same levels of mental health care as the state’s male prisoners. “Today’s settlement is a real victory for all female prisoners at TCI who will no longer have to suffer needlessly in a system that fails to comply with the requirements of the U.S. Constitution,” said Gabriel Eber, staff attorney with the ACLU National Prison Project. “This settlement will lead to dramatic improvements in the quality of health care prisoners will receive.” Read more…
Press Release: 8/20/2010 - ACLU Settles Lawsuit Charging Inadequate Care at Wisconsin Women’s Prison

ACLU of WI Will Support State’s Domestic Partner Registry
Friday August 20, 2010
The ACLU of Wisconsin will continue its work to ensure that same-sex couples maintain the basic protections provided in the state’s new domestic partnership registry. “We expected a challenge to the registry in a lower court,” said Chris Ahmuty, ACLU of Wisconsin’s executive director. “We’re fully prepared to help defend the state’s registry so that same-sex couples in Wisconsin can have access to the basic, although limited, legal rights their families need. While the Wisconsin Family Action and the Alliance Defense Fund will attempt to compare the domestic partnership registry to the legal definition of marriage, same-sex couples will seek to demonstrate a factual record of how the protections offered by the registry are quite limited and in no way violate the marriage ban.” Read more…
Press Release: 8/20/2010 - ACLU of WI Will Support State’s Domestic Partner Registry: Same-sex Couples Will Show Registry is Not Marriage (PDF)

Energy Facilities in Milwaukee Need to Consider Minority and Low-Income Community Impact in Planning Decisions
Wednesday August 11, 2010
On Monday, the ACLU of Wisconsin Foundation's legal department joined the Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin and the Midwest Environmental Advocates to request that the Wisconsin Public Service Commission address the disproportionate adverse impacts of electric generating facilities on minority and low-income communities in Milwaukee. The organizations seek to ensure that the PSC address these environmental justice issues in deciding whether to retire, "mothball," or upgrade existing electric generating units. Read more…
Press Release: 8/11/2010 – Advocates Request Wisconsin Public Service Commission to Address Environmental Justice Impacts of Power Plants (PDF)
Document: Comments of American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin Foundation, Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin, Inc., and Midwest Environmental Advocates (PDF)

Milwaukee Alder Donovan’s Ill-Conceived Surveillance Scheme Amateurish
Tuesday August 10, 2010
According to media reports in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and his own press release (PDF), Milwaukee Alderman Robert Donovan has procured a recycled armored truck equipped with surveillance cameras for his crime fighting group “Operation Impact.” The Milwaukee Police Department will accept the vehicle, although they did not ask for it, according to a MPD spokesperson. The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin is concerned that the Alderman appears to be offering his constituents publicity rather than the professional policing they deserve. Read more…
Press Release: 8/10/2010 – ACLU of Wisconsin Calls Ald. Donovan’s Ill-Conceived Surveillance Scheme Amateurish (PDF)

New Berlin Planning Commission Should Allow, Not Limit, Public Comments on Housing Development
Tuesday July 27, 2010
The New Berlin Plan Commission in the midst of the recent controversy over affordable housing in New Berlin altered its bylaws to prohibit virtually everyone except residents and land owners from speaking during the open comment portion of its public meetings. In response the ACLU of Wisconsin has written the Commission chiding it for engaging in censorship that will undermine the planning process. Read more...
Press Release: 7/27/2010 - New Berlin Plan Commission Censorship Violates
Free Speech (PDF)
Letter: 7/26/2010 - Bylaws Change Prohibiting Comments at Plan Commission (PDF)

Police GPS Tracking Question Left Unanswered by WI Supreme Court; ACLU Seeks Legislative Response
Tuesday July 20, 2010
On Tuesday July 20th, the Wisconsin Supreme Court sidestepped the question of whether there are any constitutional limits on police use of global positioning system devices to track people in their cars. Instead, the Court decided that a court order obtained by the police in the case of State v. Sveum satisfied the warrant requirement of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Wisconsin Constitution. Read more…
Press Release: 7/20/2010 - Wisconsin Supreme Court Decision Leaves Unanswered Questions About GPS Tracking; ACLU Seeks Legislative Response (PDF)

ACLU of Wisconsin settles lawsuit against City of Milwaukee Police Censorship of Gay-Themed Play
Thursday July 15, 2010
On July 14, 2010, the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center (MGAC) received a check for $20,000 from the City of Milwaukee in settlement of a federal lawsuit filed on its behalf by the ACLU of Wisconsin. The suit alleged that the City violated the First Amendment by shutting down “Naked Boys Singing,” a musical play with gay themes that has been produced around the country, after receiving complaints from a citizen who objected to its content. “Good theater sometimes challenges convention,” said Paul Masterson, Executive Director of the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center. “The police should not shut down a play because some people find it offensive.” Read more…
Press Release: 7/15/2010 - Lawsuit Over Police Censorship of Gay-Themed Play Settled: City Pays Milwaukee Gay Arts Center and Clarifies Theater License Requirements (PDF)

ACLU of Wisconsin Issues Travel Advisory for State of Arizona
Wednesday June 30, 2010
The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin alerts Wisconsin residents to potential threats to the constitutional rights and civil liberties of individuals planning to travel or stay in Arizona. The ACLU has prepared an informational card for the public entitled, “What to Do if You’re Stopped by Police, Immigration Agents or the FBI.” While the card provides information that applies throughout the United States in any encounter with law enforcement officials, individuals are particularly advised to download and read this card before traveling to Arizona. Read more…
Press Release: 7/2/2010 - ACLU of Wisconsin Issues Travel Advisory for State of Arizona (PDF)
Bust Card: English or en Espanol (PDF)

Wisconsin Supreme Court’s Decision on Marriage Amendment Referendum: ACLU of Wisconsin Responds
Wednesday June 30, 2010
The ACLU maintains that the marriage amendment's second clause only prohibits 'marriage by another name' which confers all the benefits, protections, and responsibilities of civil marriages. The Court's decision means the fight for recognition of same sex domestic relationships will continue to advance, a fight in which the ACLU will continue to participate vigorously. Read more...
Press Release: 6/30/2010 – ACLU of Wisconsin Statement on McConkey Decision (PDF)

Mosinee and Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau Schools Must Defend Student Speech
Friday June 18, 2010
Wisconsin students have the right to free speech, even when it causes offense. In the recent examples of students wearing controversial t-shirts in Mosinee and Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau schools, the ACLU of Wisconsin underscores the need for a greater understanding of student expression rights and clearer policies on discipline for disorderly conduct. Read more…
Press Release: 6/18/2010 – Wisconsin Students Have Free Expression Rights (PDF)

ACLU of Wisconsin Urges Juvenile Corrections Review Committee to Focus on Childrens’ Well-Being in Making Decisions about Juvenile Facilities
Thursday June 17, 2010
“A core mission of the state schools is to build the competency for responsible and productive community living of these young men,” said ACLU of Wisconsin Executive Director Christopher Ahmuty. “While there may be budgetary concerns, this committee’s decisions must prioritize the needs of youth who are under the state’s control, and who will eventually reenter our communities.”
Press Release: 6/17/2010 - ACLU of Wisconsin Statement on Juvenile Facilities (PDF)

Hiring: Development Director – Help us Fight for What’s Right!
The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin Foundation seeks an experienced leader to serve as our Development Director with primary responsibility for securing increased and sustainable resources to help us defend civil liberties and civil rights. Applications accepted on a rolling basis until position is filled, which will not be before July 20, 2010. The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals to apply.
Position Description: ACLU of Wisconsin Foundation Development Director (PDF)

In Honor of Mother's Day, Do Mom a Favor - Take Action to Ratify CEDAW for Women's Equality Worldwide
Sunday May 9, 2010
Happy Mother's Day from the ACLU of Wisconsin! Today, you can do your mom and women around the world a favor. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is a proposed international treaty dedicated to gender equality and while the U.S. played a major role in drafting the treaty and President Carter signed it in 1980, we are one of only seven countries that has not ratified it. For the first time there is a strategic, well-resourced coalition leading the ratification effort, and we have strong support within the current administration and the U.S. Senate. But getting 67 Senators to vote yes to ratification won’t be easy and we will need your help over the next 5-7 months. Contact your U.S. Senators and urge them to support CEDAW. Read more...
Video: Young people from Milwaukee created this video to help spread the word

ACLU of Wisconsin Responds to Juneau County District Attorney’s Attack on New Comprehensive Sexuality Education Law
Tuesday March 4, 2010
The district attorney in Juneau County has made an ill-advised attack on Wisconsin’s newly passed comprehensive sexuality education law. The Healthy Youth Act raises the state standards for human growth and development curricula. But the letter from District Attorney Southworth erroneously compares teaching the facts about reproduction and contraception to the sexual assault of children. “District Attorney Southworth has taken it upon himself to threaten possible prosecution of public school teachers in the county if they implement the new standards that require medically accurate and age-appropriate sex education,” said ACLU of Wisconsin Executive Director Christopher Ahmuty. Read more…
Press Release: 4/6/2010 - ACLU of Wisconsin Responds to Ill-Advised Attack on New Comprehensive Sex Education Law in Juneau County (PDF)
Juneau County District Attorney letter: 2009 Wisconsin Act 134 – Sex Education Mandates (PDF)

Wisconsin Federal Court Says Transgender People Must Be Allowed Medical Treatment in Prison
Wednesday March 31, 2010
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin Wednesday struck down a law that barred transgender people from receiving medical care while they are incarcerated. The American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal challenged the law in January 2006 on behalf of transgender prisoners, some of whom had been receiving hormones in Wisconsin prisons for years prior to the passage of the law. The lawsuit charged that it is a violation of the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection as well as the guarantee against cruel and unusual punishment to bar transgender inmates from access to individualized medical care. The legal groups based their challenge on federal case law that establishes that health care providers must determine proper treatment for all prison inmates. Read more…
Press Release: 4/1/2010 - Wisconsin Federal Court Says Transgender People Must Be Allowed Medical Treatment in Prison (PDF)
U.S. District Court decision: Sundstrom v. Frank

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)

ACLU of Wisconsin Calls for Public Investigation of Police Confrontation at UW-Milwaukee
Friday March 5, 2010
Today, Christopher Ahmuty, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin issued the following statement regarding an incident at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. “Demonstrators who were arrested and may have been ticketed deserve a fair review of their cases, so that any who were within their rights are not forced to go to court. The ACLU of Wisconsin will consider assisting ticketed demonstrators with meritorious defenses.” Read more…
Press Release: 3/5/2010 - UWM Chapman Hall Incident (PDF)

ACLU of Wisconsin introduces Milwaukee and Madison bust cards with local resources
The ACLU of Wisconsin Foundation works to educate individuals about their rights with police and what to do if they feel they have been racially profiled. New local bust cards are pocket references on what to do when encountering police. These cards now feature information on Milwaukee and Madison resources for people to get help in filing police complaints. More bust cards will be issued soon for other areas of the state. For more information on getting a bust card made for your region or to schedule a Know Your Rights workshop in your area, contact Emilo De Torre at (414) 272-4032 x 23.
Bust card with local contacts for Milwaukee (PDF)
Bust card with local contacts for Madison (PDF)

ACLU of Wisconsin Asks Wisconsin Senate to Vote Favorably on Bill to Limit Race-Based School Team Names and Mascots
Monday March 1, 2010
Today the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin asked Wisconsin State Senate majority leader, Russell Decker (D-Schofield), to schedule a vote on legislation to address discriminatory race-based school team nicknames, logos and mascots. Last Thursday, the Wisconsin Assembly passed an amended version of such legislation with bipartisan support. Read more…
Press release: 3/1/2010 - ACLU of Wisconsin asks Wisconsin Senate to vote favorably on bill to limit race-based school team names and mascots (PDF)
Letter to Senator Decker: 3/1/2010 – Sen. Decker RE AB 35 (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 (PDF)

ACLU and Electronic Frontier Foundation Urge Wisconsin Supreme Court to Require Warrants for GPS Tracking
Friday February 12, 2010
The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Wisconsin and the Electronic Frontier Foundation filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the Wisconsin Supreme Court on Friday urging the justices to find that, when the police place a global positioning system tracking device on a car to obtain information on its location and movements without a valid warrant, they violate the Wisconsin constitution.
Press release: 02/12/2010 - ACLU and Electronic Frontier Foundation Urge Wisconsin Supreme Court Require Warrants for GPS Tracking (PDF)
Amicus brief: 02/04/2010 – State of Wisconsin v. Michael A. Sveum (PDF)

ACLU of Wisconsin Applauds the Passage of the Healthy Youth Act
Friday January 29, 2010
The ACLU of Wisconsin applauds the passage of the Healthy Youth Act, the legislation that will raise state standards for public school human growth and development instruction. The Healthy Youth Act will give Wisconsin teens the tools they need to make healthy and responsible life decisions by providing comprehensive sexuality education that is age appropriate and medically accurate. Read more…

ACLU Responds to Milwaukee School Mayoral Takeover Proposal
Wednesday January 6, 2010
The proposal to give MPS governance to the mayor is a scheme that won’t remedy Wisconsin’s failure to provide an adequate education to far too many of Milwaukee’s children. Rather than spending time and effort to push through a controversial takeover program, the Governor, Mayor and state legislators need to comply with the state Constitutional obligation to ensure that all Milwaukee children have equal opportunity in education. Read more...
Press release: 01/06/2010 - ACLU of Wisconsin Statement in Support of Legislative Action on Public Schools Now
Press release: 01/04/2010 - ACLU of Wisconsin Opposes Proposed Mayoral Takeover of Milwaukee Public Schools, Calls on Elected Officials to Focus on Adequacy
Testimony: 01/04/2010 - ACLU of Wisconsin Urges Senate Education Committee to Focus on Adequacy

One Step Closer to Fixing Inadequate Care at WI Women’s Prison
Wednesday November 25, 2009
A federal judge denied a request by Wisconsin state officials to dismiss a class action lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Wisconsin and the law firm of Jenner & Block charging that grossly deficient health care and mental health treatment jeopardizes the lives of women prisoners at a state prison. Read more…
Press release: 11/25/2009 - ACLU Lawsuit Charging Inadequate Care at Women’s Prison to Proceed (PDF)

Medical Marijuana Act Introduced in Wisconsin Legislature
Monday November 16, 2009
The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin joined Representative Mark Pocan, Senator Jon Erpenbach, patients and advocates in a press conference for the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act (AB 554 and SB 368), a popular and common sense measure to reform laws on the medical use of marijuana. Read more…
Press release: 11/16/2009 – ACLU of Wisconsin Supports Progress in Medical Marijuana Reform (PDF)

Victory! Challenge to Domestic Partner Registry Thrown Out by State Supreme Court
Wednesday November 4, 2009
On Wednesday, the American Civil Liberties Union celebrated a decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court to dismiss a challenge to the state’s recently-enacted domestic partnership registry. Read more...
Press release: 11/04/2009 - Wisconsin Supreme Court Dismisses Challenge to Domestic Partnership Registry: Committed Couples Can Continue to Enjoy Limited Protections Offered by Registry

ACLU of WI Statement: Denying H1N1 Vaccines to Prisoners Would Harm Public Health
Friday October 30, 2009
Statements encouraging state health officials to put the health of not just prisoners, but by extension the prison staff, correctional officers and their families in jeopardy by denying H1N1 vaccine to prisoners including pregnant female inmates garnered a response from the executive director of the ACLU of Wisconsin. Read more…
Press release: 10/30/2009 - ACLU of Wisconsin Says Media Hype and Politician’s Criticism of H1N1 Vaccine for Prisoners Harms Public Health