News & Commentary

At the end of last week, Alysia, Claire and I toured the Maine State Prison in Warren. We scheduled the tour in anticipation of Representative Schatz’s bill that will “reduce the use and abuse of solitary confinement.”  The bill is currently with the Revisor’s office at the State House, undergoing language tweaks.

Every year, the MCLU runs Bill of Rights Conferences for high school students across the state to educate them about their 1st, 4th, and 14th amendment rights.

The century isn't that old, but every century actually has more than one "trial of the century".  Usually, observers at least have the decency to wait until the trial starts before applying this particular hyperbole, but I do not feel the need to be so patient.  The tr

Following a lawsuit filed by American Civil Liberties Union, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has revised its policies governing airline passenger screening to make clear that TSA agents are authorized to conduct searches related to safeguarding flight safety, not to engage in general law enforcement.

In my last blog, I mentioned that the Supreme Court would be hearing two cases to determine if life sentences without parole for juveniles constitute cruel and unusual punishment.

Late, late, late on Saturday night (around midnight) Congresswomen Pingree and Congressman Michaud both cast their votes in support of the Affordable Healthcare for America Act.  I watched

With all of the energy and attention paid this election to Marriage Equality (Question 1) and Tabor (Question 4), you may not have noticed the expansion of Maine’s medical marijuana law, which

"Silence never won rights," said ACLU founder Roger Baldwin. "They are not handed down from above--they are forced by pressures from below."  There is no end to disappointment in the civil rights community after what happened on Tuesday, and everyone is finding their own ways to cope--vacations, time with friends, exercise, distraction.  All of the above can be great, but I also take great comfort in re-engaging with the important work that still continues.  So today, I'll be following the historical Senate hearings on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.  This law will protect workers from discrimination based on sexual orientation, and today's witnesses include Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Tom Perez, who will testify in support of the legislation on behalf of the Obama administration.  The Senate is broadcasting the hearings live. 

Thank you -- all of you who gave of your stories, your time and your money to support full equality for all Maine families.  Our heart goes out today to all the individuals and families who are still denied the civil legal rights and protections of marriage.  Not one of us is free while our neighbors are denied their civil rights.  As long as Maine