Dallas Archive

 

 

Welcome to the ACLU of Texas Dallas Chapter

If you believe your civil liberties have been violated, please click here to request legal assistance. If you send the Dallas Chapter your complaint, whether by email or by letter, it will extend the time that it takes for your complaint to be processed.

  • P.O. Box 703256, Dallas, TX 75370
Dallas Chapter Board
  • Anne Shuttee, President
  • Gurvinder Singh , Vice-President
  • Paul Heller, Treasurer
  • Kristine Danowski, Secretary
  • Mustafaa Carroll
  • Lisa Dreishmire
  • Rick Halperin
  • Katie Howard
  • Shawn Ismail
  • Chip Pitts
  • Jerry Weiss

Upcoming events

Feb. 18, 2009 -- 6 p.m.
Location: Blue Mesa Grill, 7700 W. Northwest Hwy., Dallas, TX 75225  (across from Northpark Mall)

This is a relaxed social gathering for members and supporters of the ACLU and civil liberties issues - we will get acquainted and let you know what's going on with the Dallas Chapter of the ACLU of Texas. We are meeting during the Blue Mesa's happy hour, when snacks such as chips, salsa, and quesadillas are complimentary.

Volunteer

If you are interested in volunteering for the Dallas Chapter of the ACLU of Texas, please click here to send an email. Make sure to include what kind of work you are interested in doing. If you have a specific area in which you wish to volunteer, we will do our best to match your interests with our needs. Please see below for our description of the volunteer opportunities listed below that are now available through the Dallas Chapter. Each is a great way to stand up for civil rights and civil liberties - and to meet and work with other people who are committed to these values. And you won't be alone - this is a team effort, and we will support and assist all of our volunteers!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Host a "Freedom Files" video event!

The "Freedom Files" are great ways to raise consciousness on civil rights/civil liberties issues. These "events in a box" feature short documentaries on issues such as the rights of immigrants, the death penalty, surveillance and privacy, same-sex couples, protecting the ballot and voting rights, GLBT families, sex education, torture and unlawful imprisonment, and religious freedom. (For more details about these films, see <http://www.aclu.tv/> www.aclu.tv.)

Each film is 25 minutes long and accompanied by an "organizer's toolkit" that includes a publicity poster that you can download and use to publicize the event as well as talking points to focus discussion about the issues presented in the film. If you want to host a "Freedom Files" event, you need only to pick a venue (such as a library conference room, other public

space, or even your own living room), publicize the event, and play the DVD that we will provide to you without charge!o Would you like to host the next Freedom Files event - maybe in your neighborhood?

Help hold a Candidates' Forum this fall!

The election is November 4 and by all accounts it will be one of the most significant in many years. Candidates from all parties will be running for a variety of local and statewide offices. A candidates' forum hosted by the Dallas Chapter would be a great way to enable voters to learn about their positions on civil rights/civil liberties issues. Would you like to help us hold a Candidates' Forum?

Help staff an ACLU table at a local event!

Let us know if you hear of an event organized by another like-minded organization at which we might staff a table with ACLU literature and brochures! This is one of the simplest and easiest ways for us to reach out to people who are not familiar with the ACLU and its mission. Would you like to help us staff an ACLU table at an upcoming event organized by another like-minded group?

Help hold a "Know your Rights" event for local students!

How often have you heard students ask about how far school authorities can go in restricting their freedoms? Speakers from the Dallas Chapter of the Texas ACLU can help educate junior high and high school students about their civil rights and civil liberties. Would you like to help us organize a "Know Your Rights" event for local students?

Serve as an ACLU liaison to local elected officials on Civil Rights/Civil Liberties issues!

Contacting and developing relationships with our local representatives is very important to effective local advocacy. By establishing these lines of communication, we can learn where our elected representatives stand on important civil rights/civil liberties issues and share with them the ACLU's views on those issues.

We want to create a team of people to serve as the Dallas Chapter's liaisons to the offices of our local representatives (such as Mayors, City Council representatives, County executives, State representatives, State senators, members of Congress). Members of the team will need to learn about and be prepared to discuss key civil rights/civil liberties issues with legislators or their staff members, and available at least occasionally to visit representatives' offices during business hours. Would you like to join our local advocacy team?

You can help us look into and take action on local civil rights/civil liberties issues!

Events raising important civil rights and civil liberties issues happen locally as well as nationally, and when they occur in the Dallas area we have opportunities for volunteers to help the Dallas Chapter find out what is going on so that we can take appropriate action (such as letters, meetings, protests, etc.). These opportunities can include talking to knowledgeable people, filing freedom of information requests or serving as a observer. Would you like to help us assess and act on local civil rights/civil liberties issues?

Help the Dallas Chapter stay organized!

Volunteers with administrative skills can help us "behind the scenes" with such tasks as keeping our website calendar up to date, locating venues for possible events and meetings, processing incoming mail, helping to organize and coordinate volunteer activities, and organizing Chapter educational and social events. Would you like to help us handle administrative tasks?

We welcome additional ideas on how members can volunteer to help the Dallas Chapter of the ACLU of Texas - and we will circulate information about other volunteer opportunities as they arise. You don't have to belong to the ACLU of Texas to volunteer, but please get to know us and if you like what we do, please consider joining.

Thank you for your support of the Dallas Chapter of the ACLU of Texas!

ACLU of Texas Annual Meeting
Join us in Austin August 1. Free to members and non-members. Read More...

ACLU of Texas Plans Freedom Files Event in Casa Linda, East Dallas
The Dallas Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ALCU) of Texas will hold a screening of the Freedom Files’ film on torture (“Abuse of Power”), an episode of the successful ACLU documentary series now in its second season. Read More...

Defeat Dallas Daytime Curfew
Growing coalition opposes ordinance that would criminalize kids for going outside during the day. Read More...

ACLU of Texas Urges City of Irving to Postpone Passage of Onerous Apartment Ordinance
Today, the ACLU of Texas urges Irving City Council to give residents and stakeholders more time to review proposed new apartment regulations that would punish landlords for renting to people with criminal backgrounds. Read More...

ACLU of Texas Concerned Ordinance Passed by Irving City Council Unconstitutional
Today, the ACLU of Texas calls on the City of Irving to repeal regulations passed Thursday night in the name of “cleaning up crime” when in fact they can only be interpreted as an attack on the privacy of landlords, renters and low-income families. Read More...

MALDEF and ACLU Win Permanent Injunction of Farmers Branch Ordinance
Federal judge rules Farmers Branch Ordinance 2903 is unconstitutional and rejects City?s attempt to declare most recent Ordinance constitutional Read More...

Stand Up for Freedom! ACLU Membership Conference 2008
Washington, D.C., is the place where we'll gather in June to stand up for freedom! Read More...

Terri Burke Named Executive Director
The ACLU of Texas has named Terri Burke as its new Executive Director. Read More...

ACLU of Texas Files Religious Discrimination Lawsuit Against Dallas Judge
Judge Improperly Demanded Sikh American Man Take Off His "Hat" In Courtroom Read More...

MALDEF, ACLU File Request for Temporary Restraining Order in Immigration Ordinance Challenge
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Texas (ACLU) filed a request today for a temporary restraining order to block implementation of an anti-immigrant ordinance which was recently approved by Farmers Branch residents through a public vote on Saturday, May 12, 2007. The ordinance is scheduled to go into effect on May 22, 2007. Read More...

Grupo de derechos civiles registra desafio a ordenanza anti-inmigrante en Farmers Branch
Read More...

ACLU and MALDEF sue Farmers Branch challenging anti-immigrant ordinance
December 26--Today, the ACLU and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) filed suit in Dallas federal district court on behalf of Farmers Branch residents and landlords challenging that city?s recently adopted anti-immigrant ordinance. Read More...

ACLU Response to Anti-Immigrant Proposals Passed in Farmers Branch
The ACLU of Texas today expresses its concern and disappointment over the City of Farmers Branch's vote last night approving three anti-immigrant proposals, including a housing ordinance and an English-only resolution. Read More...

Dallas Chapter Newsletter
January 2006 Newsletter Read More...

FROM THE LIBERTY BLOG: Separation of church and state protects religious liberty
"Noting that America's tradition of separation of church and state protects both religion and government, ACLU of Texas board member Madan Goyal of Plano wrote an opinion piece for the Dallas Morning News, online here..."

Four Texas cities pass resolutions opposed to the Patriot Act
Resolutions have been passed in 4 communities in Texas, and 385 more nationwide. These communities represent approximately 62 million people who oppose sections of the USA PATRIOT Act. Read More...