News & Commentary

Today we sent a letter to school administrators in Biddeford reminding them that proselytizing in public schools is unconstitutional.

The ACLU of Maine and WMPG are pleased to host Nermeen Shaikh at Space Gallery tonight at 7pm.  The event is free.

Wonderful news from Louisiana yesterday! A Federal Judge has ordered the release of Herman Wallace - a member of the so-called Angola 3 - who has been held in solitary confinement for over 40 years. The Judge called for the “immediate release of Mr. Wallace from custody,”denying the state's motion to block his early order that overturned Herman's four-decade-old murder conviction. Unfortunately, this decision is very late in coming and Herman is currently suffering from advanced liver cancer. He has been given just days left to live. 

In 1967, the Supreme Court famously ruled that “Marriage is one of the ‘basic civil rights of man,’ fundamental to our very existence and survival.” In doing so, the Court rejected Virginia’s anti-miscegenation statute as unconstitutional, thus ending all race-based restrictions on marriage across the United States. Like most landmark rulings, the story behind Loving vs. Virginia is not just about the legal issues, it’s also about the people who were affected and how they fought to get justice. On Wednesday, you can hear that amazing story.

Each Friday, we’ll bring you updates on the latest civil liberties news from Maine and the nation.

Last week I stood at the edge of a field, watching a father and his two young sons chase each other across the grass. The field was half as wide as a football field and twice as long. The boys darted in and out of a line of trees as they made their way toward the other end. It was cute, and it was illegal. 

I recently watched a segment of the PBS documentary Brains on Trial titled “Deciding Punishment.”Through the use of a fictional trial, this segment explored the relationship between neuroscience and our current criminal justice system. It paid special attention to the development of the adolescent brains and how its affects decision making, revealing how its immaturity makes young people more likely to act in an impulsive and foolish manner they may later regret.

Happy Banned Books Week! This is the 31st year that the freedom to read will be officially honored. If you visit a local bookstore this week you may well find displays of challenged books or other events dealing with censorship. Here at the ACLU of Maine, we’re also getting in on the weeklong celebration – and you can join us!

Each Friday, we’ll bring you updates on the latest civil liberties news from Maine and the nation.