All Sixteen Counties
Jon, June 10, 2013 - 5:11pmAnother school year is in the books, and for the ACLU of Maine it was our busiest ever. Our education program reached 41 different schools this year – representing all 16 counties – and we taught more than 1,650 students about the importance and relevance of the Bill of Rights.
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Keeping kids out of jails
oami, May 21, 2013 - 6:06pmLast week, I testified against a bill that sought to create severe criminal penalties for cyberbullying. Under LD 1233, a first cyberbullying offense would have been a Class E crime, and subsequent offenses rose to Class C status - in other words, a felony.
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An 8th Grader’s Determination Pays Off
Jon, May 6, 2013 - 4:38pmIt took awhile, but a Gay-Straight Alliance is coming to Carver Middle School.
Bayli Silberstein has been working to establish a GSA at her school in Florida since 2011. She wants to start the club to combat bullying at her school, but administrators have put up unnecessary (and unconstitutional) roadblocks at every corner. The school board even went so far as to propose a ban on all non-academic clubs for all middle schools in the county, just to stop Bayli from starting hers.
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Bayli Silberstein has been working to establish a GSA at her school in Florida since 2011. She wants to start the club to combat bullying at her school, but administrators have put up unnecessary (and unconstitutional) roadblocks at every corner. The school board even went so far as to propose a ban on all non-academic clubs for all middle schools in the county, just to stop Bayli from starting hers.
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The Coolest Prom Around
Jon, April 22, 2013 - 5:56pmFor many high school students, this time of year means one thing: PROM! The annual dance ritual is a highlight for lots of students, but for others it’s just another occasion to be ridiculed and bullied. That is, unless they go to the Rainbow Ball, an open and affirming prom weekend for LGBT youth and their allies, held annually in Machias.
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From Greenville to Houlton to Fort Kent, We'll Go Anywhere
Jon, March 27, 2013 - 5:10pmBack in November, I wrote about the ACLU of Maine’s education program and our standing offer to visit any school to present on the Bill of Rights. “No matter where your school is in the state of Maine we’ll come and teach there,” I said. Lately we’ve been putting those words to action – and logging some serious miles in the process.
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Girls Rule the House (and the Senate)!
jill, March 21, 2013 - 8:29pmToday was my FAVORITE day of the session, every session. Today was Girls Day at the State House, an annual event sponsored by our friends at Maine Women's Lobby.
100 eighth grade girls come to Augusta from all over the state. They learn about the legislative process, participate in a mock public hearing and stage a press conference. Every year, I am amazed by how smart, opinioned and articulate the girls are. It gives me great hope for our future as a state. These young women might consider running for office some day and it all started today!
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100 eighth grade girls come to Augusta from all over the state. They learn about the legislative process, participate in a mock public hearing and stage a press conference. Every year, I am amazed by how smart, opinioned and articulate the girls are. It gives me great hope for our future as a state. These young women might consider running for office some day and it all started today!
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This Week in Civil LIberties: Solitary Confinement, Single-Sex Classrooms, LGBT Rights, and the Death Penalty
Ryan, March 15, 2013 - 12:43pmEach Friday, we’ll bring you updates on the latest civil liberties news from Maine and the nation.
Solitary Confinement Report: | continue reading
Solitary Confinement Report: | continue reading
Single-Sex Classrooms - A Bad Idea for Maine
oami, March 14, 2013 - 7:46amToday, the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs is holding a public hearing on LD 699, which seeks to allow Maine public schools to segregate classrooms by sex. We will testify in opposition, alongside many of our partners including Equality Maine and the National Organization for Women.
On top of the questionable legality of single-sex schooling in public schools, segregating students by sex in Maine's schools raises significant educational and pedagogical concerns.
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On top of the questionable legality of single-sex schooling in public schools, segregating students by sex in Maine's schools raises significant educational and pedagogical concerns.
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This Week in Civil Liberties: GSAs, Early Voting, Drones, and Legalizing Marijuana
Ryan, February 22, 2013 - 2:14pmEach Friday, we’ll bring you updates on the latest civil liberties news from Maine and the nation.
Support Early Voting | continue reading
Support Early Voting | continue reading
New Curriculum for a New Year of Teaching
Jon, February 4, 2013 - 4:52pmVisiting schools around the state to teach students about the Constitution is one of the most enjoyable things we do at the ACLU of Maine. It’s exhilarating to explore the Bill of Rights with high school students who are just beginning to grapple with complex issues like free speech, equal protection, and the legality of police searches. It’s exciting to hear their ideas and answer their questions. | continue reading