All events are free and open to the public.
This year's series has ended. Thanks to all who attended!
Past Events
No Human Being is Illegal: Immigration policies in Michigan
Monday, September 16 at 7 p.m. - Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (2 Fulton West, Grand Rapids)
When the government has the power to deny legal rights and due process to one vulnerable group, everyone’s rights are at risk. The Western Branch of the ACLU of Michigan is dedicated to expanding and enforcing the civil liberties and civil rights of immigrants and to combating public and private discrimination against them. Please join us for a discussion on immigration policy. Thanks to all who attended!
Reconsidering The War on Drugs
Monday, November 11 at 7pm - Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (2 Fulton West, Grand Rapids)
There are 2.3 million people behind bars in this country — that is triple the amount of prisoners we had in 1987 — and 25 percent of those incarcerated are locked up for drug offenses. The Western Branch of the ACLU of Michigan is working to protect the public by advocating more reasonable drug policies. Our guest panelists included:
- Heather Garretson, J.D., Associate Professor at Thomas M. Cooley School of Law
- Carl S. Taylor, PhD, Professor, Department of Sociology at Michigan State University
- Hon. Patrick Bowler, Retired Judge/Consultant, MADCP - Michigan Association of Drug Court Professional, and State Judicial Outreach Liaison.
Monday, January 13 at 7 p.m. - Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (2 Fulton West, Grand Rapids)
The Western Branch of the ACLU of Michigan is dedicated to protecting and expanding the First Amendment freedoms of expression, association, and inquiry; expanding the right to privacy and increasing the control that individuals have over their personal information; and ensuring that civil liberties are enhanced rather than compromised by new advances in science and technology. Please join us for a discussion on the state of your privacy rights.
Hands Off! Ending The War on Women
Monday, March 10 at 7 p.m - Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (2 Fulton West, Grand Rapids)
Since 1972 the ACLU has been working to secure gender equality and ensure that all women and girls are able to lead lives of dignity, free from violence and discrimination, including discrimination based on gender stereotypes. This means an America where all women and girls have equal access to quality education, employment, housing, and health, irrespective of race, class, income, immigration status or involvement
Thanks to all who attended!