PRESS RELEASE
September 15, 2009
Cities, County, State Recognize Work Of The ACLU
Former Supervisor John Woolley to present proclamation on Thursday at Noon at Courthouse
The Redwood Chapter, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announces that the cities of Arcata and Eureka, the County of Humboldt and the California State Assembly have adopted the resolution drafted by local Redwood Chapter activists to recognize the 75th Anniversary of the ACLU of Northern California, the largest state ACLU affiliate in the country.
The ACLU-NC was founded in the wake of the San Francisco General Strike of 1934, with ACLU attorneys taking the lead in protecting rights of assembly and protest to aid workers’ rights to organize and stand up for their interests. The next years’ Holmes-Eureka strike, in which three strikers were killed and hundreds arrested, no attorneys in Humboldt County were wiling to defend the strikers -- ACLU of Northern California legal counsel stepped in, with Ernest Besig serving as their attorney, and later as ACLU-NC Executive Director for over 30 years.
In their respective proclamations, these respective governments “recognize the ongoing work of the state and local ACLU in fostering dialogue on voting integrity, promoting independent civilian review of law enforcement, protecting the rights of rental tenants from discrimination, defending the rights of Native American children to be free of racial harassment and otherwise promoting the spirit of the Bill of Rights on the North Coast.”
The cities and the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors also recognized the ongoing work of the Redwood Chapter, ACLU in standing up for civil rights in our local region. After 18 years as the founding chairwoman of the Redwood ACLU, deputy public defender Christina Allbright handed off the gavel to last year’s Vice Chair, Arcata attorney Greg Allen -- but in recognition for her work, Supervisors presented Allbright with the county’s proclamation, and their thanks, for her tireless efforts.
“This recognition is really a tribute to the coalition-building work of the civil rights community in building bridges we can all stand on in mutual respect for each other and for the Bill of Rights,” Allbright said. “As ever, there is more work to be done to fully implement independent police oversight, pursue electoral reform and restore a sense of restorative justice to our judicial system. We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to see these ideals made manifest.”
Allbright will accept the California State Assembly proclamation, submitted by Assemblyman Wes Chesbro of Arcata, from his Field Representative, former Humboldt County Supervisor John Woolley. This will take place at Noon on Thursday on the steps of the county courthouse.
“I really want to voice my appreciation for the legislators at all levels of government who have helped make this happen,” Allen said. “We have certainly had our moments of disagreement, and may again in the future, but I’m very thankful to see that we’re all on the same page when it comes to protecting the inalienable rights of every citizen of California.”
The Redwood Chapter, ACLU represents over 850 ACLU members across Del Norte, Humboldt, Western Trinity and Northern Mendocino Counties. Their offices are located at 917 Third Street in Old Town Eureka. For more information, call the Redwood ACLU at (707) 442-4419 or visit redwoodaclu.blogspot.com.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Redwood ACLU Board Meeting Tuesday Feb 17th Noon
The Board of Directors of the Redwood Chapter, ACLU will meet Tuesday, February 17th at 12:00 p.m. at the ACLU office at 917 Third Street, Suite Q (between J & K Streets) in Eureka.
The agenda will include a review of the Annual Meeting and Election Reform Forum held on Jan. 27; a review of the recent Chapter Newsletter and consideration of items for the next issue; an update on the investigation into the election irregularities at HSU; election of chapter officers; reports from Chapter officers and committees; and consideration of other items which Boardmembers or at-large members may bring up.
Board meetings are open to all ACLU members in good standing. Please call 442-4419 or drop by our office for more information or to request the inclusion of a new item on the meeting agenda.
The agenda will include a review of the Annual Meeting and Election Reform Forum held on Jan. 27; a review of the recent Chapter Newsletter and consideration of items for the next issue; an update on the investigation into the election irregularities at HSU; election of chapter officers; reports from Chapter officers and committees; and consideration of other items which Boardmembers or at-large members may bring up.
Board meetings are open to all ACLU members in good standing. Please call 442-4419 or drop by our office for more information or to request the inclusion of a new item on the meeting agenda.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
PRESS RELEASE: Redwood ACLU Celebrates 2008 Patriot Award, Elects New Board For 2009
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Redwood ACLU Celebrates 2008 Patriot Award, Elects New Board For 2009
The Redwood Chapter, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), representing over 870 members across the North Coast, elected its new Board of Directors at their annual meeting Tuesday night at the Red Lion Hotel in Eureka.
The Board welcomes new Directors to its ranks, with Steve Bridenbaugh and Kelley Fleming to take their seats at the next Board meeting on Feb. 17. Incumbent boardmembers Peter Martin, Jack Munsee, Roger Herick, Bill Henneberry, Christina Allbright, and Stephen Davies were re-elected to new two-year terms. Along with three returning boardmembers, the group will hold elections for their officers when they next meet.
The celebration of the ongoing efforts to expand civil liberties in Humboldt, Del Norte, Western Trinity and Northern Mendocino also included the acceptance of the fifth annual Redwood ACLU Patriot Award by former Arcata councilmember Dave Meserve. He was credited for his work to oppose the unconstitutional Patriot Act, to advocate for independent civilian review of the Arcata Police Department, and to author Measures F and J, which provide for community protections against military recruiters targeting children in Arcata and Eureka. (The resolution in his honor is attached below.) Meserve's remarks focused on the need for community consensus on workable campaign finance reforms, as well as the latest news on Arcata and Eureka's defense of Measures F and J.
“I grew up in this, my mother was actually executive secretary of the Philadelphia ACLU…I’ve been associated for a long time, and probably learned a lot of this very early,” Meserve told the audience. “When you look at the Patriot Act and the ordinance that we wrote and that we passed in 2003, I think what you saw was an obvious assault on the Constitution. We had within the Patriot Act violations of the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th and 14th amendments, so it was a pretty broad attack on the Bill of Rights, and I’m very proud of our role in bringing attention…”
Redwood ACLU members put theory into practice when this year’s board election was the first which used choice voting, which allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, avoiding the “spoiler effect” and producing majority winners while preserving minority representation. Keynote speaker Steve Chessin, president of Californians for Electoral Reform, paid a special visit to Eureka to explain choice voting and other forms of proportional representation and how they might be implemented in local elections.
Chessin then joined local election reform leaders on a panel to further explore how local elections might be improved. The panelists included Humboldt County clerk-recorder Carolyn Crnich, Eureka Chamber of Commerce boardmember Chris Crawford, Eureka Civic Association founder Dave Ogden, Redwood ACLU vice chair Greg Allen and Larry Hourany, who stepped in for Pat Higgins on behalf of the California Clean Money campaign. The Redwood ACLU is producing a documentary of this forum for distribution on Access Humboldt Channel 12 and on YouTube and Google Video.
For more information, call the Redwood ACLU at (707) 442-4419 or visit redwoodaclu.blogspot.com.
2008 Patriot Award
Whereas, since the inception of the Redwood Patriot Award in 2004, Dave Meserve has been nominated every year as a deserving recipient for his past and current work; and
Whereas, after the passage of the Patriot Act, as a councilman for the City of Arcata, Dave Meserve was instrumental in the passage of a groundbreaking ordinance to prevent Arcata city officials from implementing the unconstitutional elements of the USA Patriot Act , which acted as an inspiration to all of us working to restore the Bill of Rights; and
Whereas, while on the Arcata City Council and since, Dave Meserve has supported police review and the concepts of accountability and transparency within our governmental agencies; and
Whereas, Dave Meserve has been a leading proponent and spokesperson for Measures F and J in Arcata and Eureka, adopted by 73% and 57% of voters last November, which limits the invasive tactics of military recruiters who target minors. Therefore be it
Resolved, The Board of Directors of the Redwood Chapter, American Civil Liberties Union awards the Fifth Annual Patriot Award to Dave Meserve for his continued commitment and action to protect the constitutional rights and civil liberties of the people of Humboldt County in accordance with the Bill of Rights.
Dated: December 16, 2008
_____________________________
Christina Allbright
Chair, Redwood ACLU
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Redwood ACLU Celebrates 2008 Patriot Award, Elects New Board For 2009
The Redwood Chapter, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), representing over 870 members across the North Coast, elected its new Board of Directors at their annual meeting Tuesday night at the Red Lion Hotel in Eureka.
The Board welcomes new Directors to its ranks, with Steve Bridenbaugh and Kelley Fleming to take their seats at the next Board meeting on Feb. 17. Incumbent boardmembers Peter Martin, Jack Munsee, Roger Herick, Bill Henneberry, Christina Allbright, and Stephen Davies were re-elected to new two-year terms. Along with three returning boardmembers, the group will hold elections for their officers when they next meet.
The celebration of the ongoing efforts to expand civil liberties in Humboldt, Del Norte, Western Trinity and Northern Mendocino also included the acceptance of the fifth annual Redwood ACLU Patriot Award by former Arcata councilmember Dave Meserve. He was credited for his work to oppose the unconstitutional Patriot Act, to advocate for independent civilian review of the Arcata Police Department, and to author Measures F and J, which provide for community protections against military recruiters targeting children in Arcata and Eureka. (The resolution in his honor is attached below.) Meserve's remarks focused on the need for community consensus on workable campaign finance reforms, as well as the latest news on Arcata and Eureka's defense of Measures F and J.
“I grew up in this, my mother was actually executive secretary of the Philadelphia ACLU…I’ve been associated for a long time, and probably learned a lot of this very early,” Meserve told the audience. “When you look at the Patriot Act and the ordinance that we wrote and that we passed in 2003, I think what you saw was an obvious assault on the Constitution. We had within the Patriot Act violations of the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th and 14th amendments, so it was a pretty broad attack on the Bill of Rights, and I’m very proud of our role in bringing attention…”
Redwood ACLU members put theory into practice when this year’s board election was the first which used choice voting, which allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, avoiding the “spoiler effect” and producing majority winners while preserving minority representation. Keynote speaker Steve Chessin, president of Californians for Electoral Reform, paid a special visit to Eureka to explain choice voting and other forms of proportional representation and how they might be implemented in local elections.
Chessin then joined local election reform leaders on a panel to further explore how local elections might be improved. The panelists included Humboldt County clerk-recorder Carolyn Crnich, Eureka Chamber of Commerce boardmember Chris Crawford, Eureka Civic Association founder Dave Ogden, Redwood ACLU vice chair Greg Allen and Larry Hourany, who stepped in for Pat Higgins on behalf of the California Clean Money campaign. The Redwood ACLU is producing a documentary of this forum for distribution on Access Humboldt Channel 12 and on YouTube and Google Video.
For more information, call the Redwood ACLU at (707) 442-4419 or visit redwoodaclu.blogspot.com.
2008 Patriot Award
Whereas, since the inception of the Redwood Patriot Award in 2004, Dave Meserve has been nominated every year as a deserving recipient for his past and current work; and
Whereas, after the passage of the Patriot Act, as a councilman for the City of Arcata, Dave Meserve was instrumental in the passage of a groundbreaking ordinance to prevent Arcata city officials from implementing the unconstitutional elements of the USA Patriot Act , which acted as an inspiration to all of us working to restore the Bill of Rights; and
Whereas, while on the Arcata City Council and since, Dave Meserve has supported police review and the concepts of accountability and transparency within our governmental agencies; and
Whereas, Dave Meserve has been a leading proponent and spokesperson for Measures F and J in Arcata and Eureka, adopted by 73% and 57% of voters last November, which limits the invasive tactics of military recruiters who target minors. Therefore be it
Resolved, The Board of Directors of the Redwood Chapter, American Civil Liberties Union awards the Fifth Annual Patriot Award to Dave Meserve for his continued commitment and action to protect the constitutional rights and civil liberties of the people of Humboldt County in accordance with the Bill of Rights.
Dated: December 16, 2008
_____________________________
Christina Allbright
Chair, Redwood ACLU
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Redwood ACLU 2007 Annual Meeting and Fourth Annual Patriot Award Gala
Just in time to give away the Fifth Annual Patriot Award this evening at the Red Lion Hotel in Eureka, the Redwood ACLU shares highlights of the last Annual Meeting and Patriot Award Gala on October 27, 2007.
Accepting the Fourth Annual Patriot Award was Clerk-Recorder Carolyn Crnich and the Election Advisory Committee of Humboldt County. Crnich gave remarks on the innovative development of the Humboldt Transparency Project, flanked by EAC members Greg Allen, Kevin Collins, Tom Pinto, Jamie Orr and Mark Konkler. Allen and Konkler also gave brief remarks where they credited Crnich for her brave leadership on election reform issues.
Redwood ACLU chair Christina Allbright gave introductory remarks on the (then) recent accomplishments of local civil rights leaders, including progress on police review and expanding civil liberties to virtual environments such as Second Life.
Accepting the Fourth Annual Patriot Award was Clerk-Recorder Carolyn Crnich and the Election Advisory Committee of Humboldt County. Crnich gave remarks on the innovative development of the Humboldt Transparency Project, flanked by EAC members Greg Allen, Kevin Collins, Tom Pinto, Jamie Orr and Mark Konkler. Allen and Konkler also gave brief remarks where they credited Crnich for her brave leadership on election reform issues.
Redwood ACLU chair Christina Allbright gave introductory remarks on the (then) recent accomplishments of local civil rights leaders, including progress on police review and expanding civil liberties to virtual environments such as Second Life.
Redwood ACLU Opinion: Local Election Reform On KMUD Talk
On the evening of Monday, January 26, 2009, the Politically Correct Week In Review hosted by Paul Encimer took a call from Redwood Chapter, ACLU secretary Charles Douglas on the topic of the upcoming Local Election Reform Forum. Paul, his co-host Bernie MacDonald and his guest also discussed police review and the status of local ballot measures prohibiting the targeting of minors by military recruiters.
This friendly, bridge-building dialogue seemed to upset Dana Silvernale, the "chair" of David Cobb's Humboldt Green Party, who called in not long after. Silvernale repeatedly attacked the local ACLU (by name) for their advocacy of election reform measures the Green Party platform supposedly supports, such as public campaign financing and choice voting. Silvernale also attacked Douglas directly over the ACLUs total agreement with the voters of Eureka and Arcata on Measure F and Measure J to restrict invasive military recruitment tactics -- even though these measures were authored by former Arcata Councilmember and Green Party member Dave Meserve (who is also receiving the Fifth Annual Patriot Award from the Redwood ACLU).
Douglas called in at the end of the show to refute Silvernale's counter-factual statements and question why she would engage in attacks against the ACLU when neither he nor anyone else on the local ACLU board had stated anything in their official capacity regarding her or her outfit. The ACLU secretary detailed the numerous drafting errors and unconstitutional precepts of Measure T and called upon all community members interested in local election reform to come together in a constructive dialogue.
This friendly, bridge-building dialogue seemed to upset Dana Silvernale, the "chair" of David Cobb's Humboldt Green Party, who called in not long after. Silvernale repeatedly attacked the local ACLU (by name) for their advocacy of election reform measures the Green Party platform supposedly supports, such as public campaign financing and choice voting. Silvernale also attacked Douglas directly over the ACLUs total agreement with the voters of Eureka and Arcata on Measure F and Measure J to restrict invasive military recruitment tactics -- even though these measures were authored by former Arcata Councilmember and Green Party member Dave Meserve (who is also receiving the Fifth Annual Patriot Award from the Redwood ACLU).
Douglas called in at the end of the show to refute Silvernale's counter-factual statements and question why she would engage in attacks against the ACLU when neither he nor anyone else on the local ACLU board had stated anything in their official capacity regarding her or her outfit. The ACLU secretary detailed the numerous drafting errors and unconstitutional precepts of Measure T and called upon all community members interested in local election reform to come together in a constructive dialogue.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
PRESS RELEASE: Redwood ACLU Presents Keynote Speaker Steve Chessin At Local Election Reform Forum
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Redwood ACLU Presents Keynote Speaker Steve Chessin
At Local Election Reform Forum
At the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Redwood Chapter, American Civil Liberties Union today, election reform activists looked forward to a special Local Election Reform Forum to be held one week from today, headlined by a special keynote speaker, Steve Chessin, flying in from out of town to address ACLU members and the public concerning efforts to reform elections across California.
“We’re very proud to be able to provide this forum featuring such a prominent statewide advocate of choice voting, which would greatly improve the functioning of our local and state elections.” said Redwood ACLU chair Christina Allbright. “It’s about time our community leaders sat down in the same room to discuss what positive steps can be taken to reform our election process in ways which conform with our constitutional values.”
Steve Chessin is the President of Californians for Electoral Reform, the leading statewide organization pushing for choice voting, which would allow voters to rank candidates by order of preference, ensuring winners would receive majority support. In the 2002 statewide election, the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, controller, treasurer, and insurance commissioner were put into office with the support of a minority of voters; on the local level, the Mayor of Eureka, the Second District Supervisor and other local officials won office with less than 50% support.
Chessin, a software engineer from Mountain View, is also a member of the Democratic Party state executive board. The forum’s panel, however, features local speakers from across the political spectrum, including:
Carolyn Crnich, the Clerk-Recorder of Humboldt County, will discuss the Humboldt Transparency Project and the recent decision to move away from the Diebold/Premiere vote-counting system for local elections.
Patrick Higgins, a Humboldt Harbor Commissioner and an advocate of the California Clean Money Campaign, will review efforts to establish public financing of election campaigns.
Chris Crawford, a Eureka Chamber of Commerce boardmember and the organizer of “No on Measure T,” will present his proposal for campaign contribution limits on private financing of local election campaigns.
Greg Allen, a founding member of the Humboldt County Election Advisory Committee and the Vice Chair of the Redwood ACLU, will provide an overview of the use, and misuse, of the local ballot initiative process and his idea to provide prior legal review of ballot measures before they are presented to voters.
Dave Ogden, the founder of the Eureka Civic Association and the Chair of the Eureka Finance Advisory Committee, will look at reform of Eureka’s Ward system to make it a “true” ward system where only residents of a particular ward would vote on that ward’s City Councilmember.
“The Redwood ACLU has an important role to play in improving this process, not only as a public service, but to make sure that election reform measures we do support are given a fair hearing, instead of being tainted by the immature and unprofessional conduct associated with recent campaigns,” Allen said. “We have a real duty, a professional responsibility to do it right.”
For more information, call the Redwood ACLU at 707-442-4419 or visit redwoodaclu.blogspot.com.
-- 40 --
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
PRESS RELEASE: Redwood ACLU Gives Fifth Annual Patriot Award To Former Arcata Councilmember Dave Meserve
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Redwood ACLU Gives Fifth Annual Patriot Award
To Former Arcata Councilmember Dave Meserve
To Former Arcata Councilmember Dave Meserve
At the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Redwood Chapter, American Civil Liberties Union last month, local civil rights awarded their highest honor, the Patriot Award, to Dave Meserve for his long-time work to defend the civil liberties of people across the North Coast. He will be presented with this honor at the Annual Meeting and Patriot Award Gala to be held on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Red Lion Hotel in Eureka.
“Dave Meserve has the distinct honor of having been nominated every year since the inception of this award.” said Redwood ACLU chair Christina Allbright. “His groundbreaking ordinance to prevent Arcata city officials from implementing the unconstitutional elements of the USA Patriot Act acted as an inspiration to all of us working to restore the Bill of Rights.”
The irony was not lost on the local Redwood Chapter Board when they voted unanimously to give the Patriot Award to Meserve last month -- that same week, a federal appeals court ruled another provision of the Bush administration’s Patriot Act unconstitutional. Their repeated use of “national security letters” - to prevent those who received secret document demands from disclosing this unwarranted search of their papers and property -- wrongly placed the burden on NSL recipients to initiate judicial review of these gag orders.
Just over a year before, a federal judge ruled unconstitutional provisions within the Patriot Act which allowed the government to obtain search warrants without probable cause. The national ACLU continues on several fronts its challenges against the unconstitutional abrogation of constitutional values.
“Arcata was way out in front on this fight against the unwarranted expansion of federal snooping and surveillance,” said Redwood ACLU boardmember Jack Munsee. “Meserve’s support of police review for the Arcata Police Department throughout his term in office was also a source of inspiration to our efforts to establish law enforcement accountability measures across Humboldt County.”
Meserve will be honored at a reception at the Red Lion Hotel, along with appetizers and short speeches, to be followed by our Election Reform Forum at 6:30, where invited speakers from across the county, the state and the political spectrum will outline the challenges and opportunities to improve the functioning of local elections.
For more information, call the ACLU Hotline at 707-442-4419 or visit redwoodaclu.blogspot.com.
-- 40 --
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Redwood ACLU Board Meeting Tuesday Jan 20th Noon
The Board of Directors of the Redwood Chapter, ACLU will meet Tuesday, January 20th at 12:00 p.m. at the ACLU office at 917 Third Street, Suite Q (between J & K Streets) in Eureka.
The agenda will include a review of preparations for the Annual Meeting on Jan. 27; a review of the recent Chapter Newsletter and consideration of items for the next issue; an update on the investigation into the election irregularities at HSU; a review of election reform efforts including the upcoming election reform forum; reports from Chapter officers and committees; and consideration of other items which Boardmembers or at-large members may bring up.
Board meetings are open to all ACLU members in good standing. Please call 442-4419 or drop by our office for more information or to request the inclusion of a new item on the meeting agenda.
The agenda will include a review of preparations for the Annual Meeting on Jan. 27; a review of the recent Chapter Newsletter and consideration of items for the next issue; an update on the investigation into the election irregularities at HSU; a review of election reform efforts including the upcoming election reform forum; reports from Chapter officers and committees; and consideration of other items which Boardmembers or at-large members may bring up.
Board meetings are open to all ACLU members in good standing. Please call 442-4419 or drop by our office for more information or to request the inclusion of a new item on the meeting agenda.
Monday, January 12, 2009
FINAL Ballot For Redwood ACLU Board of Directors
(NOTE: The Board of Directors, by unanimous vote on December 16, added three candidates to the original slate of full-term Director candidates approved by a unanimous vote of the Board on November 18. ACLU members further petitioned the Board on January 12, 2009 to add an additional candidate.)
Annual Election held on January 27, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in Eureka
Current Redwood ACLU Boardmembers Minerva Williams, Greg Allen and Charles Douglas are midway through their two-year terms on the Board of Directors, and are thus not subject to this election.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - AT LARGE SEATS
- two year terms -
CHOICE VOTE FOR 8
Peter Martin (incumbent)
Jack Munsee (incumbent)
Roger Herick (incumbent)
Bill Henneberry (incumbent)
Christina Allbright (incumbent)
Cathy Dreyfuss
Stephen Davies (incumbent)
Steve Bridenbaugh
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - AT LARGE SEATS
- one year terms -
CHOICE VOTE FOR 4
Kelly Fleming
_________________________
(write-in name of Redwood ACLU member)
_________________________
(write-in name of Redwood ACLU member)
_________________________
(write-in name of Redwood ACLU member)
Members may make additional nominations from the floor at the time of the election to run as valid write-in candidates.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
UPDATED Nomination Slate For Redwood ACLU Board Of Directors
(NOTE: The Board of Directors, by unanimous vote on December 16, added three candidates to the original slate of full-term Director candidates approved by a unanimous vote of the Board on November 18. ACLU members may further petition the Board until January 12, 2009 to be included on a slate of one-year term Director candidates.)
Annual Election held on January 27, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in Eureka
Current Redwood ACLU Boardmembers Minerva Williams, Greg Allen and Charles Douglas are midway through their two-year terms on the Board of Directors, and are thus not subject to this election.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - AT LARGE SEATS
- two year terms -
CHOICE VOTE FOR 8
Peter Martin (incumbent)
Jack Munsee (incumbent)
Roger Herick (incumbent)
Bill Henneberry (incumbent)
Christina Allbright (incumbent)
Cathy Dryfuss
Stephen Davies (incumbent)
Steve Bridenbaugh
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - AT LARGE SEATS
- one year terms -
CHOICE VOTE FOR 4
_________________________
(write-in name of Redwood ACLU member)
_________________________
(write-in name of Redwood ACLU member)
_________________________
(write-in name of Redwood ACLU member)
_________________________
(write-in name of Redwood ACLU member)
By submitting a letter to the Board (with 5 signatures of ACLU members) at least 15 days before the Annual Meeting, a Redwood Chapter member may petition the Board to be included as a candidate on the ballot. Members may make additional nominations from the floor at the time of the election to run as valid write-in candidates.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Redwood ACLU Board Meeting Tuesday Dec 16th Noon
The Board of Directors of the Redwood Chapter, ACLU will meet Tuesday, December 16th at 12:00 p.m. at the ACLU office at 917 Third Street, Suite Q (between J & K Streets) in Eureka.
The agenda will include an update on the status of the proposal to create a multi-jurisdictional SWAT Team for Arcata, Eureka, HSU, Fortuna and Trinidad; labeling and distribution of the next Chapter Newsletter; an update on the investigation into the election irregularities at HSU; review of election reform efforts including the upcoming election reform forum; finalizing our Patriot Award winner and plans for our Annual Meeting; reports from Chapter officers and committees; and consideration of other items which Boardmembers or at-large members may bring up.
Board meetings are open to all ACLU members in good standing. Please call 442-4419 or drop by our office for more information or to request the inclusion of a new item on the meeting agenda.
The agenda will include an update on the status of the proposal to create a multi-jurisdictional SWAT Team for Arcata, Eureka, HSU, Fortuna and Trinidad; labeling and distribution of the next Chapter Newsletter; an update on the investigation into the election irregularities at HSU; review of election reform efforts including the upcoming election reform forum; finalizing our Patriot Award winner and plans for our Annual Meeting; reports from Chapter officers and committees; and consideration of other items which Boardmembers or at-large members may bring up.
Board meetings are open to all ACLU members in good standing. Please call 442-4419 or drop by our office for more information or to request the inclusion of a new item on the meeting agenda.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Letter Regarding Sectarian Prayer At Eureka City Council Meetings
Redwood ACLU
PO Box 292
Eureka, CA 95502
November 25, 2008
Mayor Virginia Bass
Eureka City Council
531 K Street
Eureka, CA 95501
Dear Madam Mayor:
It has come to our attention that at the August 19th meeting of the Eureka City Council Pastor Rick McRostie of the First Covenant Church delivered a Christian prayer which was definitely sectarian. Since then, it is our understanding that other City Council Meetings have included a prayer. In Marsh v Chambers the US Supreme court ruled that if a legislative body chooses to open its meetings with a prayer, such prayer must not be "exploited to proselytize or advance any one, or to disparage any other, faith or belief". The prayers before the legislature that were upheld in the Marsh case were non-sectarian, in other words, the prayers were not specific to any particular religion.
We would appreciate it if you would inform us as to what measures will be used to ensure that in future meetings prayers if used are non-sectarian. This issue was litigated against the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners in North Carolina after the Board refused to take the advice of their own attorney to ensure that future invocations were non-sectarian. The Board lost this case and was enjoined to ensure that all future invocations are to be non-sectarian.
We would be glad to consult with you as to how to uphold your oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States.
Sincerely,
Christina Allbright
Chair, Redwood ACLU
:cja
cc: Councilmember Larry Glass
Councilmember Mike Jones
Councilmember Jeff Leonard
Councilmember Linda Atkins
Councilmember Frank Jager
City Attorney Sheryl Schaffner
PO Box 292
Eureka, CA 95502
November 25, 2008
Mayor Virginia Bass
Eureka City Council
531 K Street
Eureka, CA 95501
Dear Madam Mayor:
It has come to our attention that at the August 19th meeting of the Eureka City Council Pastor Rick McRostie of the First Covenant Church delivered a Christian prayer which was definitely sectarian. Since then, it is our understanding that other City Council Meetings have included a prayer. In Marsh v Chambers the US Supreme court ruled that if a legislative body chooses to open its meetings with a prayer, such prayer must not be "exploited to proselytize or advance any one, or to disparage any other, faith or belief". The prayers before the legislature that were upheld in the Marsh case were non-sectarian, in other words, the prayers were not specific to any particular religion.
We would appreciate it if you would inform us as to what measures will be used to ensure that in future meetings prayers if used are non-sectarian. This issue was litigated against the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners in North Carolina after the Board refused to take the advice of their own attorney to ensure that future invocations were non-sectarian. The Board lost this case and was enjoined to ensure that all future invocations are to be non-sectarian.
We would be glad to consult with you as to how to uphold your oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States.
Sincerely,
Christina Allbright
Chair, Redwood ACLU
:cja
cc: Councilmember Larry Glass
Councilmember Mike Jones
Councilmember Jeff Leonard
Councilmember Linda Atkins
Councilmember Frank Jager
City Attorney Sheryl Schaffner
Monday, December 1, 2008
Outreach Committee Meets Tues Dec 9th Noon
All ACLU members in good standing are welcome to attend the next meeting of the Outreach Committee of the Redwood Chapter, ACLU.
We're meeting on Tuesday, December 9th at Noon at our office at 917 Third Street, Suite Q in Old Town Eureka.
The Outreach Committee, as the name suggests, is dedicated to enhancing the outreach of the local ACLU in diverse communities, especially the ongoing tabling program to sign up new members and get the word out on local issues and initiatives like police review, election reform, illegal surveillance and more. Outreach also concerns the chapter newsletter (which is mailed to all local ACLU members), coalition-building work with other like minded individuals and groups, and social networking events such as the Arts Alive! events held last year.
The Outreach Committee is also looking to work with a prospective new intern to phone bank our 800+ local ACLU members and get a weekly tabling campaign going at local stores and farmers' markets. We're looking for other good ideas too from members like you, so show up, speak up and get involved!
If you're unable to make the meeting, please leave your suggestions on our hotline at 442-4419 or e-mail redwoodaclu@hotmail.com .
Friday, November 28, 2008
Nomination Slate For Redwood ACLU Board Of Directors
Annual Election held on January 27, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in Eureka
Current Redwood ACLU Boardmembers Minerva Williams, Greg Allen and Charles Douglas are midway through their two-year terms on the Board of Directors, and are thus not subject to this election.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - AT LARGE SEATS
- two year terms -
VOTE FOR 8
Peter Martin (incumbent)
Jack Munsee (incumbent)
Roger Herick (incumbent)
Christina Allbright (incumbent)
Stephen Davies (incumbent)
_________________________
(write-in name of Redwood ACLU member)
_________________________
(write-in name of Redwood ACLU member)
_________________________
(write-in name of Redwood ACLU member)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - AT LARGE SEATS
- one year terms -
VOTE FOR 4
_________________________
(write-in name of Redwood ACLU member)
_________________________
(write-in name of Redwood ACLU member)
_________________________
(write-in name of Redwood ACLU member)
_________________________
(write-in name of Redwood ACLU member)
By submitting a letter to the Board (with 5 signatures of ACLU members) at least 15 days before the Annual Meeting, a Redwood Chapter member may petition the Board to be included as a candidate on the ballot. Members may make additional nominations from the floor at the time of the election to run as valid write-in candidates.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Redwood ACLU Thanks Humboldt County Supervisors For Conceding Unconstitutionality Of Measure T
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Redwood ACLU Thanks Humboldt County Supervisors
For Conceding Unconstitutionality Of Measure T
At the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Redwood Chapter, American Civil Liberties Union, local civil rights leaders thanked the entire Humboldt County Board of Supervisors for voting to settle the lawsuit against Measure T, admitting its unconstitutionality on the grounds of First Amendment protections for free speech and Fourteenth Amendment grounds of equal protection.
“The ACLU has constantly attempted to extend all constitutional safeguards to all persons,” said Redwood ACLU vice chair Greg Allen. “Measure T on its face sought to limit speech and was clearly an attempt to limit constitutional rights to some persons. We’re glad that the Board of Supervisors realized that Measure T litigation was un-winnable and expensive and we’re pleased that the Board responsibly decided to cut huge losses to the county at a relatively early stage of the proceedings.”
Allen went on to defend the duty of Supervisors to face reality in terms of what a protracted set of appeals would cost local taxpayers.
“With any organization of any kind, be it public or private, there is a requirement that the board exercise ordinary prudence in all transactions, and it’s apparent that the Board of Supervisors has made a decision on the advice of counsel,” he said. “It is further clear that counsel in this litigation did not believe the county could prevail. Congratulations to the Board of Supervisors for being prudent and responsible.”
Allen represented the Redwood ACLU at a Town Hall Meeting held by Eureka Councilmember Jeff Leonard at the Wharfinger Building last week, where election reforms which could survive constitutional muster were considered. Local civil rights leaders are planning an election reform forum just after the new year where a diverse panel of local activists, attorneys and government officials will discuss various means of improving local elections, including but not limited to campaign contribution caps, instant run-off voting and the reform of district elections for local offices.
“We’re not only interested in opposing ill-fated campaign finance measures, but in fostering healthy and open dialogue on what kind of reforms can actually work and can actually bring together our community instead of dividing it,” Redwood ACLU chair Christina Allbright said. “We look forward to building bridges and moving past the failed legacy of Measure T towards lasting reforms which enhance voter rights instead of taking them away.”
For more information, call the ACLU Hotline at 707-442-4419 or visit redwoodaclu.blogspot.com.
-- 40 --
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Redwood ACLU Thanks Humboldt County Supervisors
For Conceding Unconstitutionality Of Measure T
At the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Redwood Chapter, American Civil Liberties Union, local civil rights leaders thanked the entire Humboldt County Board of Supervisors for voting to settle the lawsuit against Measure T, admitting its unconstitutionality on the grounds of First Amendment protections for free speech and Fourteenth Amendment grounds of equal protection.
“The ACLU has constantly attempted to extend all constitutional safeguards to all persons,” said Redwood ACLU vice chair Greg Allen. “Measure T on its face sought to limit speech and was clearly an attempt to limit constitutional rights to some persons. We’re glad that the Board of Supervisors realized that Measure T litigation was un-winnable and expensive and we’re pleased that the Board responsibly decided to cut huge losses to the county at a relatively early stage of the proceedings.”
Allen went on to defend the duty of Supervisors to face reality in terms of what a protracted set of appeals would cost local taxpayers.
“With any organization of any kind, be it public or private, there is a requirement that the board exercise ordinary prudence in all transactions, and it’s apparent that the Board of Supervisors has made a decision on the advice of counsel,” he said. “It is further clear that counsel in this litigation did not believe the county could prevail. Congratulations to the Board of Supervisors for being prudent and responsible.”
Allen represented the Redwood ACLU at a Town Hall Meeting held by Eureka Councilmember Jeff Leonard at the Wharfinger Building last week, where election reforms which could survive constitutional muster were considered. Local civil rights leaders are planning an election reform forum just after the new year where a diverse panel of local activists, attorneys and government officials will discuss various means of improving local elections, including but not limited to campaign contribution caps, instant run-off voting and the reform of district elections for local offices.
“We’re not only interested in opposing ill-fated campaign finance measures, but in fostering healthy and open dialogue on what kind of reforms can actually work and can actually bring together our community instead of dividing it,” Redwood ACLU chair Christina Allbright said. “We look forward to building bridges and moving past the failed legacy of Measure T towards lasting reforms which enhance voter rights instead of taking them away.”
For more information, call the ACLU Hotline at 707-442-4419 or visit redwoodaclu.blogspot.com.
-- 40 --
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Redwood ACLU Board Meeting Tuesday Nov 18th Noon
The Board of Directors of the Redwood Chapter, ACLU will meet Tuesday, November 18th at 12:00 p.m. at the ACLU office at 917 Third Street, Suite Q (between J & K Streets) in Eureka.
The agenda will include an update on the status of the proposal to create a multi-jurisdictional SWAT Team for Arcata, Eureka, HSU, Fortuna and Trinidad; review of the latest developments in the court case against Measure T; labeling and distribution of the next Chapter Newsletter; an update on the investigation into the election irregularities at HSU; review of election reform efforts including the lawsuit against Measure T; reports from Chapter officers and committees; and consideration of other items which Boardmembers or at-large members may bring up.
Board meetings are open to all ACLU members in good standing. Please call 442-4419 or drop by our office for more information or to request the inclusion of a new item on the meeting agenda.
The agenda will include an update on the status of the proposal to create a multi-jurisdictional SWAT Team for Arcata, Eureka, HSU, Fortuna and Trinidad; review of the latest developments in the court case against Measure T; labeling and distribution of the next Chapter Newsletter; an update on the investigation into the election irregularities at HSU; review of election reform efforts including the lawsuit against Measure T; reports from Chapter officers and committees; and consideration of other items which Boardmembers or at-large members may bring up.
Board meetings are open to all ACLU members in good standing. Please call 442-4419 or drop by our office for more information or to request the inclusion of a new item on the meeting agenda.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Redwood ACLU On Measure T: KMUD News
Redwood Chapter, ACLU vice chair Greg Allen discusses the American Civil Liberties Union's support of a lawsuit to strike down Measure T as an unconstitutional restriction on free speech.
The interview was conducted by Redwood Community Radio (KMUD) news director Cynthia Elkins the day after a restraining order was not granted against Measure T as filed by two Humboldt County-based firms who wished to contribute to a local campaign.
While the restraining order was not granted, the enforcement of Measure T was halted by an injunction granted by the Federal District Court in San Francisco the following week.
Greg Allen discusses the legal problems associated by Measure T, which were a result of being poorly drafted in the first place by its proponents from Democracy Unlimited and their political committee, the Humboldt Coalition for Community Rights.
Greg Allen also points out the absurdity of attempting to challenge the state law concerning corporate personhood as a legal construct by passing a purely local ordinance, and describes the tactics undertaken by Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap and others from the pro-Measure T campaign to attack critics and stifle dissent.
Friday, October 3, 2008
PRESS RELEASE: Redwood ACLU To Hold Civil Liberties Debate For Arcata City Council Candidates
The Redwood Chapter, ACLU is returning to its tradition of hosting well-fought and open debates between candidates for local office, as it has in the past for candidates contesting seats on the Arcata City Council and the Northern Humboldt Union High School District.
For the second time, the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union will include the Arcata City Council contests in a debate on local civil liberties issues as well as on other community concerns. The event will be held on Monday, October 6th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the D Street Neighborhood Center in Arcata.
The debate format is to start off with a few questions concerning the issues the Redwood Chapter advocates for in the community, followed by questions solicited via notecard from members of the public in the audience. There will be time for rebuttals between candidates in order to foster a vigorous debate, although we also ensure equal time for all the candidates to speak their peace.
The debate is free and open to the public, but space is limited, so community members with questions are strongly encouraged to arrive early.
For the second time, the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union will include the Arcata City Council contests in a debate on local civil liberties issues as well as on other community concerns. The event will be held on Monday, October 6th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the D Street Neighborhood Center in Arcata.
The debate format is to start off with a few questions concerning the issues the Redwood Chapter advocates for in the community, followed by questions solicited via notecard from members of the public in the audience. There will be time for rebuttals between candidates in order to foster a vigorous debate, although we also ensure equal time for all the candidates to speak their peace.
The debate is free and open to the public, but space is limited, so community members with questions are strongly encouraged to arrive early.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
PRESS RELEASE: Redwood ACLU To Hold Civil Liberties Debate For Eureka City Council Candidates
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Redwood ACLU To Hold Civil Liberties Debate
For Eureka City Council Candidates
The Redwood Chapter, ACLU is returning to its tradition of hosting well-fought and open debates between candidates for local office, as it has in the past for candidates contesting seats on the Arcata City Council and the Northern Humboldt Union High School District.
For the first time, the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union will include the Eureka City Council contests in a debate on local civil liberties issues as well as on other community concerns. The event will be held on Monday, September 29th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Humboldt Bay Water Building, located at 7th and J St. In Eureka.
A “meet and greet” with the invited candidates (Polly Endert, Linda Atkins, Frank Jager, George Clark) will be held just beforehand at 6:00 p.m., where the candidates and other community groups are invited to table with their literature and other materials of civic interest.
“As an organization that always refrains from supporting or opposing candidates for public office, we are in a unique position to provide common ground for dialogue and discussion,” said Redwood ACLU chair Christina Allbright in a letter to the candidates.
The debate format is to start off with a few questions concerning the issues the Redwood Chapter advocates for in the community, followed by questions solicited via notecard from members of the public in the audience. There will be time for rebuttals between candidates in order to foster a vigorous debate, although we also ensure equal time for all the candidates to speak their peace.
The debate is free and open to the public, but space is limited, so community members with questions are strongly encouraged to arrive early.
For more information, call the new ACLU Hotline at 707-442-4419 or visit redwoodaclu.blogspot.com.
-- 40 --
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Redwood ACLU To Hold Civil Liberties Debate
For Eureka City Council Candidates
The Redwood Chapter, ACLU is returning to its tradition of hosting well-fought and open debates between candidates for local office, as it has in the past for candidates contesting seats on the Arcata City Council and the Northern Humboldt Union High School District.
For the first time, the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union will include the Eureka City Council contests in a debate on local civil liberties issues as well as on other community concerns. The event will be held on Monday, September 29th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Humboldt Bay Water Building, located at 7th and J St. In Eureka.
A “meet and greet” with the invited candidates (Polly Endert, Linda Atkins, Frank Jager, George Clark) will be held just beforehand at 6:00 p.m., where the candidates and other community groups are invited to table with their literature and other materials of civic interest.
“As an organization that always refrains from supporting or opposing candidates for public office, we are in a unique position to provide common ground for dialogue and discussion,” said Redwood ACLU chair Christina Allbright in a letter to the candidates.
The debate format is to start off with a few questions concerning the issues the Redwood Chapter advocates for in the community, followed by questions solicited via notecard from members of the public in the audience. There will be time for rebuttals between candidates in order to foster a vigorous debate, although we also ensure equal time for all the candidates to speak their peace.
The debate is free and open to the public, but space is limited, so community members with questions are strongly encouraged to arrive early.
For more information, call the new ACLU Hotline at 707-442-4419 or visit redwoodaclu.blogspot.com.
-- 40 --
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
PRESS RELEASE: Redwood ACLU Calls For Support Of Lawsuit Against Measure T
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Redwood ACLU Calls For Support
Of Lawsuit Against Measure T
At the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Redwood Chapter, American Civil Liberties Union, local civil rights leaders made a formal request for legal aid in support of the lawsuit filed by local businesses seeking to overturn the unconstitutional Measure T. The Redwood ACLU had already taken a position against Measure T on First Amendment grounds of freedom of speech in their Local Election Reform policy approved some time ago.
The case against Humboldt County’s enforcement of Measure T is currently in front of the Federal District Court of Northern California in San Francisco, and although an attempted Temporary Restraining Order against Measure T was not granted today, a preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 22.
“This judicial review is already engendering some bizarre and intemperate reactions from the proponents of Measure T, who have sent out letters to every candidate in local elections this fall seeking to compel them to conform to Measure T whether it meets constitutional muster or not,” stated Redwood ACLU chair Christina Allbright in a letter to the Chair of the Board of Directors of the ACLU of Northern California. “The silence of our local legal community and civil activists on this matter thus far has been deafening, despite the clear and obvious constitutional flaws contained in the measure...We cannot overstate the grave peril we perceive our free speech rights in local elections to be in.”
The letters in question, sent out by the pro-Measure T political committee initiated by Democracy Unlimited and known as the “Humboldt Coalition for Community Rights,” was signed by Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap and sent to local candidates, even including her opponent in Eureka’s race for Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District. The letter likened opponents of their campaign finance-related ballot measure to those who supported slavery and oppose women’s suffrage and the labor movement.
“The proponents of Measure T and especially the Humboldt Coalition for Community Rights by their Co-Chair Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap, are renewing the same tactics used in the 2006 election to stifle any dissent regarding the constitutionality of Measure T,” said Redwood ACLU vice chair Greg Allen. “An examination of statements made by Sopoci-Belknap at the Democracy Unlimited website again attacks those with differing legal opinions. This policy has been continued by the HCCR in a letter signed by Sopoci-Belknap, herself a candidate for public office, to direct all candidates for public office in Humboldt County, including her own opponent, to support Measure T even if it is held unconstitutional by the district court.”
In the interests of disclosure, Sopoci-Belknap’s opponent in her Water Board race is Stephen Davies, a local attorney who is on the Board of the local Redwood Chapter ACLU as well as on the Board of Directors of the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California. Davies abstained from voting on the stance taken today due to his current status as a candidate for public office, and the ACLU remains neutral in regards to his campaign (in accordance with standing ACLU policy against supporting or opposing candidates for public office).
A response from the ACLU-NC on the question of an amicus brief is expected later this week. The Redwood Chapter of the ACLU is also considering the co-sponsorship of a forum on local election reform, both concerning the failure of Measure T and hopes for more constructive reform efforts, to be held after the upcoming general election in November.
For more information, call the new ACLU Hotline at 707-442-4419 or visit redwoodaclu.blogspot.com.
-- 40 --
Relevant links:
http://redwoodaclu.blogspot.com
http://community.pacificlegal.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=685&srcid=685
http://duhc.org/PLF-Measure%20TComplaint.pdf
http://duhc.org/MeasureTlawsuitPR8-29-08.html
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Redwood ACLU Calls For Support
Of Lawsuit Against Measure T
At the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Redwood Chapter, American Civil Liberties Union, local civil rights leaders made a formal request for legal aid in support of the lawsuit filed by local businesses seeking to overturn the unconstitutional Measure T. The Redwood ACLU had already taken a position against Measure T on First Amendment grounds of freedom of speech in their Local Election Reform policy approved some time ago.
The case against Humboldt County’s enforcement of Measure T is currently in front of the Federal District Court of Northern California in San Francisco, and although an attempted Temporary Restraining Order against Measure T was not granted today, a preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 22.
“This judicial review is already engendering some bizarre and intemperate reactions from the proponents of Measure T, who have sent out letters to every candidate in local elections this fall seeking to compel them to conform to Measure T whether it meets constitutional muster or not,” stated Redwood ACLU chair Christina Allbright in a letter to the Chair of the Board of Directors of the ACLU of Northern California. “The silence of our local legal community and civil activists on this matter thus far has been deafening, despite the clear and obvious constitutional flaws contained in the measure...We cannot overstate the grave peril we perceive our free speech rights in local elections to be in.”
The letters in question, sent out by the pro-Measure T political committee initiated by Democracy Unlimited and known as the “Humboldt Coalition for Community Rights,” was signed by Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap and sent to local candidates, even including her opponent in Eureka’s race for Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District. The letter likened opponents of their campaign finance-related ballot measure to those who supported slavery and oppose women’s suffrage and the labor movement.
“The proponents of Measure T and especially the Humboldt Coalition for Community Rights by their Co-Chair Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap, are renewing the same tactics used in the 2006 election to stifle any dissent regarding the constitutionality of Measure T,” said Redwood ACLU vice chair Greg Allen. “An examination of statements made by Sopoci-Belknap at the Democracy Unlimited website again attacks those with differing legal opinions. This policy has been continued by the HCCR in a letter signed by Sopoci-Belknap, herself a candidate for public office, to direct all candidates for public office in Humboldt County, including her own opponent, to support Measure T even if it is held unconstitutional by the district court.”
In the interests of disclosure, Sopoci-Belknap’s opponent in her Water Board race is Stephen Davies, a local attorney who is on the Board of the local Redwood Chapter ACLU as well as on the Board of Directors of the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California. Davies abstained from voting on the stance taken today due to his current status as a candidate for public office, and the ACLU remains neutral in regards to his campaign (in accordance with standing ACLU policy against supporting or opposing candidates for public office).
A response from the ACLU-NC on the question of an amicus brief is expected later this week. The Redwood Chapter of the ACLU is also considering the co-sponsorship of a forum on local election reform, both concerning the failure of Measure T and hopes for more constructive reform efforts, to be held after the upcoming general election in November.
For more information, call the new ACLU Hotline at 707-442-4419 or visit redwoodaclu.blogspot.com.
-- 40 --
Relevant links:
http://redwoodaclu.blogspot.com
http://community.pacificlegal.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=685&srcid=685
http://duhc.org/PLF-Measure%20TComplaint.pdf
http://duhc.org/MeasureTlawsuitPR8-29-08.html
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