Each Friday, we’ll bring you updates on the latest civil liberties news from Maine and the nation.
Idaho’s Ban on Marriage for Same-Sex Couples Ruled Unconstitutional
This past Tuesday, a federal judge issued an injunction to block enforcement of Idaho’s ban on same-sex marriage.
Monica Hopkins, Executive Director of the ACLU of Idaho states:
“The court was right to strike down this discriminatory law. All loving and committed couples deserve the recognition and the peace of mind that comes with the protections that only marriage can provide. This ruling is a significant step toward full equality for all and we will continue to fight for additional policies, like the proposed Pocatello ordinance, that protect Idahoans against discrimination.”
The takedown of this ban makes Idaho the 18th state to allow same-sex marriage. Take a look at the sweeping changes to same-sex marriage laws across the country here.
Download the court decision here.
CIA Delays the Release of a Senate Report On Interrogation Measures
On Thursday, the CIA asked a federal judge to grant more time to declassify the Senate’s report on the agency’s use of harsh interrogation methods on terrorism suspects after the September 11 attacks.
“Given how long the CIA has known about its need to make these records public, we expected something more concrete than a mere hope that declassification would take place this summer,” said Hina Shamsi, director of the ACLU’s National Security Project. “What’s also troubling is that the very agency that committed torture is the one wielding the blackout pen over what will become public.”
The Senate investigation was launched five years ago, and on April 3, a 6,000 page report was approved by the Senate Intelligence Committee. The report reveals detailed chronologies of CIA detainees and the extreme measures that the CIA used in attempt to extract significant intelligence.
Read more about the CIA’s request to stall declassification here.
60 Years After Brown v. Board of Education
Tomorrow marks a turning point in American history. Exactly 60 years ago, May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court declared in Brown v. Board of Education that segregation in our Nation’s schools is “inherently unequal”.
Justice Thurgood Marshall argued the case against segregation with these words: "None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody...bent down and helped us pick up our boots."
The ACLU continues to fight for what was at the heart of this decision – an equal, just, and fair system of integrated education for all children. Click here to read a few examples of how the ACLU is working to see fulfilled the promises of Brown.
