Each week we will provide you with a rundown of top news stories and must-read articles.

Charlottesville

Armed white supremacists, Nazis, and KKK klansmen marched in Charlottesville this weekend to protest the removal of Confederate statues.  Thousands of counter protesters marched in response to this repulsive display of hate. In a horrifying act of violence, one of the white supremacist drove his car into a crowd of counter protesters –killing 1 and injuring 19.

THE ACLU’s RESPONSE

THE ACLU OF VIRGINIA’S STATEMENT

DoJ attains search warrant for anti-Trump website

It was revealed this week that the Department of Justice has a wide-ranging search warrant to collect huge amounts of information from a website used to organize anti-Trump protests. This search warrant is a major constitutional threat and is part of a concerning trend of privacy overreach by the government.

THE ACLU’S TAKE

Scathing federal audit reveals Maine DHHS’ failing

The Maine DHHS failed to investigate 133 deaths of individuals with development disabilities who were under state care. This incredible failing by the department meant that the deaths of these people were never investigated for abuse or misconduct.

Potential pardon for sheriff known for cruelty and racial profiling

News outlets this week reported that Trump is considering a pardon for former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio was just recently found guilty for criminal contempt for failing to follow a judge ruling ordering Arpaio to stop the racial profiling within his department.

TAKE ACTION

DACA in danger

In 2012, President Obama protected thousands of undocumented children from deportation when he signed the executive order, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). A handful of states want DACA gone and are pushing Trump to take yet another hurtful anti-immigrant action. The bipartisan Dream Act is a ray of hope that could save DACA.

TAKE ACTION

 

 

 

 

Date

Friday, August 18, 2017 - 10:30am

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We are heartbroken by what happened in Charolottesville. Sadly, our state is not and has never been immune to this hateful ideology either. Today, we double down on our commitment to fighting for justice and the full protection of the law for all people.

 

We fully support the right to free speech and to peaceably assemble, even when it comes to speech we abhor. But the First Amendment should never be used as a shield to justify violence. We make decisions about which cases to take on a case by case basis, and we do not make them in a vacuum. The tragic events of Charlottesville will certainly inform those decisions going forward.

 

Date

Thursday, August 17, 2017 - 7:30pm

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Racial Justice Freedom of Expression

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TWO NIGHTS OF SCREENINGS: September 18 & 20, doors at 6:30, film at 7:00

Told by the activists and leaders who live and breathe this movement for justice, WHOSE STREETS? is an unflinching look at the Ferguson uprising. When unarmed teenager Michael Brown is killed by police and left lying in the street for hours, it marks a breaking point for the residents of St. Louis, Missouri. Grief, long-standing racial tensions and renewed anger bring residents together to hold vigil and protest this latest tragedy.

Empowered parents, artists, and teachers from around the country come together as freedom fighters. As the national guard descends on Ferguson with military grade weaponry, these young community members become the torchbearers of a new resistance.

Filmmakers Sabaah Folayan and Damon Davis know this story because they are the story. Whose Streets? is a powerful battle cry from a generation fighting, not for their civil rights, but for the right to live.

In person, filmmaker Sabaah Folayan (with support from Maine Initiatives and the Points North Institute.)

Part of the ACLU of Maine Fall Film Series. Upcoming films in the series include:
Wednesday, 10.18: JACKSON (Co-Presented with Planned Parenthood of Northern New England Action Fund)
Thursday, 11.09: THE PRISON IN TWELVE LANDSCAPES
Wednesday, 12.13: FROM NOWHERE.

Visit the SPACE Gallery calendar for more info on all these events:www.space538.org/events/upcoming

Event Date

Monday, September 18, 2017 - 6:30pm to
Wednesday, September 20, 2017 - 6:30pm

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Venue

SPACE Gallery

Address

538 Congress St.
Portland, ME 04101
United States

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Date

Wednesday, September 20, 2017 - 6:30pm

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