Stars Are Out, But Civil Liberties Shine at 2007 Bill of Rights Dinner
Friday, December 14, 2007 permalink
The stars were out, but civil liberties stole the spotlight at the ACLU of Southern California's annual Bill of Rights Dinner on Dec. 10. Sharing the stage with Academy Award-winners Halle Berry and Benicio Del Toro, director-producer Rob Reiner, and actor Christine Lahti, music visionary Kevin Liles voiced the ACLU's commitment to free speech.
"Without the work of the ACLU protecting our 1st Amendment rights, our freedom to express who we are would be in jeopardy," he said. "We must realize without our creative freedom, we may not exist, we may not be provocative, we may not create, we may not inspire."
NBA legend and businessman Earvin "Magic" Johnson wrapped Liles in a bear hug as he handed him the Bill of Rights Award.
Another honoree, Creative Artists Agency co-chairman Rick Nicita, compared his work representing actors and musicians to the ACLU's. "The ACLU didn't write the Constitution, but it's their job to see that we all live under its freedoms," he said.
This year's event marked the 216th anniversary of the signing of the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the Constitution protecting free speech, religious liberty, and other basic American values.
U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold accepted the Eason Monroe Courageous Advocate Award and called this a "critical moment for our country." "Will Congress stand up to this president and reaffirm its own role in protecting individual freedom?" he asked.
"The Bill of Rights has been tattered by the war on terrorism and now we must all fight to restore it," said ACLU/SC executive director Ramona Ripston. "Americans have a fundamental choice: We can be guided by our fear of our enemies or by fidelity to our principles."
Photo: Academy Award-winners Halle Berry and Benicio Del Toro, ACLU/SC Executive Director Ramona Ripston, and actor Christine Lahti backstage at the Bill of Rights Dinner on Dec. 10. Berry presented an award to her co-star Del Toro (Photo: Gary Leonard for the ACLU/SC).
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