The Milwaukee Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union recently announced that Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) will keynote its upcoming annual meeting with her perspective on the status of civil liberties in America, the extent to which Congress has/has not defended our liberties, and what Congress is doing now to protect them. She may also comment on specific issues involving the Milwaukee area – such as Education, Poverty/jobs, and Heath Care Reform.
Also slated for the program are speakers and panel discussions on topics currently in the news, including:
- James Hall, former NAACP attorney and current ACLU State Board member, will address “Education: A Civil Right, a Civil Liberty or….?” And other civil liberties issues he has addressed as an attorney. A brief panel discussion will follow with Hall and Donelle Johnson, retired MPS teacher and the Chapter’s representative on education issues. Attendees questions re local education issues and their civil liberties implications — including the proposal for mayoral “ takeover” of MPS will be entertained.
- Joyce Seiser, retired National Labor Relations Regional Attorney and past ACLU – Milw. Chapter chair, will speak on Civil Liberties, Civil Rights, and Social Justice: Sympathies vs. Mission. What is/is not the ACLU’s role in these often overlapping areas.
- Karen Rotker, Wisconsin ACLU staff attorney, will discuss litigation and court precedents in Wisconsin, other states, and in Federal courts re Suburban Hypersegregation – as well as other race and poverty-related issues.
- Len Levine, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee professor of engineering, will speak on “Civil Liberties in Cyberspace” and “Are Your Files and E-mails Really Private?”
The annual meeting will be held on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 5, from 3:00 to 6:30 pm in the Washington Park Senior Center 4420 West Vliet Street – on Milwaukee’s West Side. Chapter members, as well as interested non-members, are encouraged to attend and participate. In the spirit of open discussion of issues, there is no charge for admission.
Completing the meeting will be a wrap-up round table with all the speakers entertaining questions and comments, followed by a reception, and opportunities for attendees to learn about how they can become active in ACLU activities in the Milwaukee area. More information on the event is available from Charles Fox, lead organizer of the event, at 414-698-3757. RSVPs can be made to that.
