It has been a difficult
decade for civil liberties, but the ACLU of MAINE (and ACLU) have been at the forefront
of every significant civil liberties and civil rights debate.
1. 2004: Maine rejects the Patriot Act. (Alas, Congress and the President haven't…yet.)
2. 2004: ACLU of MAINE defends peace activists protesting the Iraq War.
3. 2005:
4. 2006: ACLU of MAINE launches its multi-year campaign against warrantless spying by the telecom companies and the National Security Agency. It's the first time an action by the ACLU of MAINE results in federal action by Congress to stop our small affiliate's efforts.
5. 2006: ACLU of MAINE successfully advocates for a secure mental health unit at Maine State Prison. Now, we're working to limit solitary confinement and abusive practices for the general prison population as well.
6. 2006: ACLU of MAINE successfully defends Maine's decision NOT to fund religious schools.
7. 2007: ACLU of MAINE challenges student strip searches, two years before the Supreme Court would rule these searches unconstitutional.
8. 2007: Maine is the first state in the country to reject REAL ID, launching a nationwide rebellion and a bitter fight with the Feds. (Status: still fighting)
9. 2009: The legislature passes and Governor John Baldacci signs a marriage equality law, which is unfortunately defeated by referendum. (Our New Year's resolution: we will achieve marriage equality this decade.)
10. 2009: Maine reforms its indigent defense system.
If you support any or all of these vital issues, please contribute here or go to www.mclu.org/donation. Help us make the next decade a better one.
Happy New Year from the ACLU of MAINE Staff!
