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. Maine led on national
issues time and time again, even as we defended the rights of Mainers here at
home. Here in chronological order are the top 10 fights of the decade for
the ACLU of MAINE here in Maine.
We weren't always popular…or victorious, but we were always principled.
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: Maine Won't Discriminate
secures protections for LGBTQ individuals from discrimination.
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!