ACLU of Iowa

The ACLU of Iowa presents the
Robert Mannheimer Civil Liberties Video Contest


Are you passionate about Civil LibertiesAre you interested in rights like free speech, LGBT issues, privacy, racial justice, religious freedom, or women’s rights in your high school or community? Produce a short video (between 3 and 10 minutes in length) about a right or liberty that you particularly prize and enter the contest. The winner of the Robert Mannheimer Civil Liberties Video Contest will receive a $500 award.

The Mannheimer Award was established by the family of the late Robert Mannheimer, a Des Moines attorney who supported the ACLU of Iowa for over 50 years as a cooperating attorney, board member and donor.

To learn more and find out how to participate click here.

For a longer list of civil liberties, check out the listing on the National ACLU web site: http://www.aclu.org/standup/issues/

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Tinker Case Made Into Original Musical

Thursday's Children The landmark ACLU of Iowa case of Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District has been made into a musical, called "Thursday's Children," by Unexpected Company, a Des Moines theatre group.

The original musical is inspired by the events of the 1965 black arm band protest against the Vietnam War and the resulting lawsuit filed by 15-year-old John Tinker, 16-year-old Christopher Eckhardt, and 13-year-old Mary Beth Tinker.

Presented in partnership with the State Historical Society of Iowa, the musical tells the story of young people forced to confront their values, principles, and fears to make the choice of whether to protest the war-a choice that will affect them the rest of their lives.

Public performance events include pre-performance discussion panels with humanities scholars and Mary Beth Tinker, as well as post-performance discussion panels with legal scholars and a 1960s Dance Party at Gateway Dance Theatre.
  
The more than 2,000 students who will attend the school-day programs will also participate in mock trials recreating the Tinker case, facilitated by local judges and lawyers.

Held at the Iowa State Historical Museum's theatre, the performances will run afternoons and evenings Sunday, October 23 through November 7. For specifics on tickets and show times, go to www.thursdays-children.com or call the State Historical Society at 515-281-4132 or Unexpected Company at 515-288-9163.

ACLU of Iowa Expands Staff with
Communications Specialist

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa announced today that it is expanding its staff with the addition of a communications specialist.

Veronica Lorson Fowler, a former newspaper reporter and magazine editor, has been hired to help the organization promote and defend civil liberties to the media and the general public, as well as the organization’s supporters and members. A more proactive communications program will also enhance the nonprofit’s ability to organize and advocate for civil liberties in Congress and the Iowa legislature, as well as local school boards and city councils.

Read More >>>

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Romero Addresses ACLU-IA
75th Anniversay Annual Dinner

National ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero praised the role Iowa civil liberities activists had played over the years in the struggle for human rights and civil liberties. He especially lauded the persistence and courage of the six Iowa same sex couples who were also being honored that evening whose efforts resulted in the Iowa Supreme Court's marriage equality decision (Varnum v. Brien)  in April 2009. 

While he had words of praise and gratitude for the work of  those gathered, he also warned that the the gains made in civil rights legislation during much of the twentieth century are now "in
serious jeopardy, as politicians playing on our fears and prejudices systematically undermine our civil liberties and dilute the power of the judiciary."

Romero spoke to ACLU-IA members and friends gathered at the University of Iowa's Athletic Club in Iowa City for the 75th Anniversary Annual Dinner on May 1.  

Read the full text of the Romero keynote address.

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