Oct
20
Over the last few weeks, polls were released by several independent organizations that all point to one conclusion: Californians are ready to dump the death penalty.
The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) and the Field Poll both show California voters’ strong preference for life without the possibility of parole over the death penalty.
Permanent link to this article: http://www.aclu-sc.org/blog/2011/the-numbers-are-in-the-death-penalty-is-out/
Oct
18
In 1994, Lisa Simpson — daughter of Homer, sister of Bart — posed the question that continues to plague law enforcement: “If you’re the police, who will police the police?”
Homer answered, “I dunno; Coast Guard?”
Amidst allegations of deputy-on-inmate abuse at LA County jails, LA County Sheriff Lee Baca’s answer was inexplicably worse than Homer’s: “We police ourselves.”
Permanent link to this article: http://www.aclu-sc.org/blog/2011/who-should-police-the-police/
Sep
27
The voices have been there for years, if you were listening – horrific stories of abuse of inmates at Los Angeles County jails; not by other inmates, but by the deputies guarding them. The brutal conditions could only have persisted due to the willful ignorance or even tacit support of Sheriff Lee Baca – and that’s why we’re now calling on him to step down.
Permanent link to this article: http://www.aclu-sc.org/blog/2011/baca-must-go/
Sep
23
I had vowed never to return to the United Arab Emirates.
In 2008-09, I represented Naji Hamdan, a Lebanese-American businessman who was tortured for three months in a secret prison and prosecuted on baseless terrorism charges. I observed Naji’s trial in the United Arab Emirates and came face to face with the injustices of its criminal justice system.
I had vowed never to return to the UAE but human rights abuses happen in every part of the world, and the case of the men the media are calling the “UAE 5” drew me in.
Permanent link to this article: http://www.aclu-sc.org/blog/2011/an-ominous-return/
Sep
22
James Clark, right, live tweeted the protests around Troy Davis' execution from Atlanta and Jackson, Georgia
Troy Davis was executed by the state of Georgia last night at 11:08 PM, despite a worldwide movement over 1 million strong that drew attention to the glaring doubts of his guilt. With no physical evidence and a host of witness recantations, all indications are that the state of Georgia killed an innocent man.
Permanent link to this article: http://www.aclu-sc.org/blog/2011/troy-davis-executed-wednesday-night/
Sep
20
Calling for justice under the Capitol building in Atlanta, Georgia.
After a day-long hearing yesterday in Atlanta, the Georgia State Board of Pardons of Paroles today denied clemency to Troy Anthony Davis, in the face of a million cries of #TooMuchDoubt. Troy is scheduled to be executed Wednesday September 21, at 7 p.m.
On the Friday before the hearing — the Global Day of Solidarity — more than 3,000 people marched in Atlanta calling for justice for Troy. Roughly 1 million people have contacted the parole board directly to urge clemency. We were all ignored.
Permanent link to this article: http://www.aclu-sc.org/blog/2011/clemency-denied-for-troy-davis/
Sep
16
ACLU/SC Death Penalty Repeal Organizer James Clark
Next week, the state of Georgia plans to execute Troy Davis despite lingering doubts about his guilt. Today is a Global Day of Solidarity when people all over the world stand together to proclaim that there is too much doubt to execute Troy Davis. Davis finds himself facing death for the fourth time on Wednesday, September 21.
But this execution date is different. This time, Troy has no pending appeals and nothing new to file; it’s the end of the line. Only five people can stop the execution: the members of the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles. You can still urge them to act.
Permanent link to this article: http://www.aclu-sc.org/blog/2011/standing-in-solidarity-with-troy-davis/
Sep
13
Manager of Activist Networks Miguel Cruz (center) with local ACLU/SC activists Kathy McConn and Jeff Richmond
Finding inspiration is easy when every day you work with people who volunteer their time to protecting our civil liberties. I should know—as the ACLU/SC’s Manager of Activist Networks, I coordinate and facilitate a wide range of volunteer advocacy activities. Some of the activists I work with will be honored at our upcoming 48th Annual Garden Party for their long-standing commitment to liberty and their accomplishments in the name of civil rights.
Permanent link to this article: http://www.aclu-sc.org/blog/2011/honoring-the-spirit-of-activism/
Sep
09
No student trying to visit the website for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) from a school computer should be confronted with a stop sign. But that’s precisely what happened to a student in Virginia, which spurred our “Don’t Filter Me!” campaign.
Permanent link to this article: http://www.aclu-sc.org/blog/2011/youve-been-denied/
Sep
02
From its synth-jazz theme song to its cheesy dialogue to the sage counsel of S. Epatha Merkerson, I love Law and Order. But the best part of Law and Order is the satisfying finality that every episode brings. No matter the verdict, Jack McCoy and the gang always get a cathartic sense of closure after they solve a case.
Unfortunately, real trials aren’t so satisfying — especially when the death penalty is on the table.
Permanent link to this article: http://www.aclu-sc.org/blog/2011/death-and-law-order/
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