Posted on Jul 9th, 2008 at 12:37 PM
 
ACLU and High Court's 2nd Amendment Ruling

As of July 8, here's the updated national ACLU 2nd Amendment position in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's recent ruling. What's your take on this issue?

From Karen Curry, Director of Communications:

The Second Amendment provides: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

ACLU POSITION

Given the reference to "a well regulated Militia" and "the security of a free State," the ACLU has long taken the position that the Second Amendment protects a collective right rather than an individual right. For seven decades, the Supreme Court's 1939 decision in United States v. Miller was widely understood to have endorsed that view.

The Supreme Court has now ruled otherwise. In striking down Washington D.C.'s handgun ban by a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court's 2008 decision in D.C. v. Heller held for the first time that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to keep and bear arms, whether or not associated with a state militia.

The ACLU disagrees with the Supreme Court's conclusion about the nature of the right protected by the Second Amendment. We do not, however, take a position on gun control itself. In our view, neither the possession of guns nor the regulation of guns raises a civil liberties issue.

ANALYSIS

Although ACLU policy cites the Supreme Court's decision in U.S. v. Miller as support for our position on the Second Amendment, our policy was never dependent on Miller. Rather, like all ACLU policies, it reflects the ACLU's own understanding of the Constitution and civil liberties.

Heller takes a different approach than the ACLU has advocated. At the same time, it leaves many unresolved questions, including what firearms are protected by the Second Amendment, what regulations (short of an outright ban) may be upheld, and how that determination will be made.

Posted on May 27th, 2008 at 12:07 PM
 
What happens now? Newsweek asks Lisa Graybill about the FLDS raid aftermath

In an online exclusive interview, Newsweek's Andrew Murr has a Q and A with ACLU of Texas Legal Director Lisa Graybill about Texas' Third Court of Appeals ruling last week that Child Protective Services was unjustified in removing 468 children from the compound of a polygamous sect in Eldorado.

Read the full interview online here.

Posted on May 22nd, 2008 at 1:31 PM
 
A Stimulating Proposal

Some activists are sending their Economic Stimulus Checks to the ACLU!

According to Daily Kos blogger Kevin McConnon:

I'm not going to to buy a German made gun.

I'm not going to buy a Chinese made grill.

I'm not going to buy French wine.

I'm not going to buy a Thai made shoes.

I'm going to invest in some good old American FREEDOM!

That sounds great to the ACLU of Texas!  Consider donating your economic stimulus check in support of the ACLU's work guarding liberty in Texas and across the nation. 

You may send your check to us at ACLU of Texas, P.O. Box 12905, Austin, TX 78711-2905, or simply join or donate online.  We'll even send a letter to the White House to let President Bush know that you're stimulating the economy by investing in American freedom!

And just so you know, gifts and dues to the ACLU of Texas are shared with national ACLU, helping the ACLU fight the good fight here in the Lone Star State, and in every other state, too. 

Dues to the ACLU of Texas are not tax deductible and may be used for lobbying expenses.  Gifts to the ACLU Foundation of Texas are tax deductible as allowed by law and benefit the litigation and public education work of the ACLU.

Posted on May 21st, 2008 at 2:48 PM
 
ACLU Blog of Rights!

Yesterday, national ACLU rolled out our revamped and reinvigorated blog, now called "The Blog of Rights."

Says ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero about the Blog of Rights:

"We can be pretty sure that each new day will bring two things: new threats to our civil liberties, and new stories of people standing up for their rights and winning. From the chilling to the triumphant, there is always something to talk about.

"With that in mind, we’re re-launching the ACLU blog, with a new look, a new name, and a new invitation to join in the dialogue....

"We envision this blog as a marketplace of ideas and discourse on pressing civil liberties issues, from surveillance and extraordinary rendition to religious freedom and the rights of protestors."

Be sure to check out the Blog of Rights regularly!

Posted on May 8th, 2008 at 12:58 PM
 
Roy Mersky, 1925 - 2008

Leaders and staff of the ACLU of Texas and our Central Texas Chapter were saddened to learn that Roy Mersky has died.  Professor Mersky was Harry Reasoner Regents Chair in Law and Director of the Tarlton Law Library at the University of Texas School of Law.

Mersky was also a President of the ACLU in Texas in the 1960s who had a strong commitment to protecting the Bill of Rights, particularly the First Amendment.

Visit the U.T. Law School website to read an in memoriam article and to read reflections from colleagues and friends, and to view a photo gallery, online here.

Professor Mersky’s family has requested that, in lieu of sending flowers, those who wish to remember him make a tribute gift to the Texas Democracy Foundation or the ACLU Foundation of Texas.  To make a tribute gift, please click here or on the “Donate Now” button at the top of our home page.  Alternately, your gift may be mailed to ACLU Foundation of Texas, P.O. Box 12905, Austin, TX 78711-2905.

The ACLU of Texas extends sincere condolences to Roy Mersky’s family, friends and former students.