News & Commentary

We love protecting freedom of religion and expression here at the ACLU. It's sort of our thing, which made it hurt this morning when a Michigan Senate committee passed dangerous, discriminatory legislation under the false guise of protecting such rights. In a move that once again demonstrates how out of touch the Michigan Legislature is with the public it purportedly represents, the Senate Health Policy Committee passed the License to Discriminate Bill (Senate Bill 136), which allows medical facilities to refrain from offering health care services and procedures based on religious or moral standards. Who can calculate the devastating real-life impact of allowing hospitals, medical groups, insurance companies, pharmacies and research universities to refuse to care for those in need? 

It’s unfortunate that years of discrimination have conditioned many people of color to expect unfairness and accept injustice with sad resignation. However, there are occasions when the insult, humiliation and injury are too great to overlook. The fate of three students in Ann Arbor has become that story for many in the community, and supporters have taken to the streets and the meeting room to voice their displeasure. Back in October, the head football coaches for rival Pioneer and Huron high schools got into an argument after a game. One coach reportedly shoved the other, and within a matter of seconds, scores of players and others were throwing punches and kicks. In the aftermath, the coaches left their jobs, and an unknown number of students are believed to have been suspended from school. But only three students were criminally charged as a result of the incident: all of African descent. For several years, the ACLU of Michigan has researched, investigated, analyzed and campaigned against the school-to-prison pipeline. Grossly disproportionate suspensions and expulsions of black students from schools tend to result in their overrepresentation in the criminal justice system. They've heard our message in Ann Arbor. When members of the community considered that this incident was triggered by the conduct of white coaches, the injustice of leaving only three black student athletes to navigate the criminal justice system stood out as a clear part of the school-to-prison pipeline problem. There are ongoing efforts to organize support for the students. This week, even the Ann Arbor School Board called for all charges related to the football brawl to be dropped. As part of our work fighting the pathway to prison for young students, we have written to the prosecutor in these young men's case, explaining the importance of recognizing that they are members of an at-risk demographic and recommending alternatives to criminal charges that might prevent damage to their futures. More importantly for the futures of all our students, we have urged that the prosecutor work with us to establish a restorative justice program in the Washtenaw County courts that can be employed to prevent unnecessary incarceration that can be available when similar incidents occur. We cannot stand by while our children's futures are thrown away, and like the people of Ann Arbor, we must face injustice with the courage to change for the better.  Key News and Resources Read our letter to the prosecutor Contact us to volunteer to help end the school-to-prison pipeline  Student Know Your Rights Cards (pdf) Reclaiming Michigan’s Throwaway Kids: Students Trapped in the School-to-Prison Pipeline (pdf) The School to Prison Pipeline

Just last week, thousands were celebrating Royal Oak's move to amend the city anti-discrimination ordinance to protect all our neighbors and visitors. However, now a small group is circulating a petition to stop this common-sense law from going into effect.  Take action: Urge your friends to Decline to Sign► Share on Facebook► Tweet this65% of Michiganders support making sure that gay and transgender people, are protected from discrimination. Twenty-one other cities in Michigan and more than 100 across the country who have successfully implemented similar ordinances.“The Royal Oak City Commission passed the human rights ordinance 6 to 1,” said Commissioner Jim Rasor, who participated in the press conference. “This is something that fair-minded people across our city support. It’s good for Royal Oak. That’s why the City Commission voted to support this effort.”Key News and Documents► ACLU Blog | Who's Elliott Larsen? Searching for Equality in MichiganLearn more about issues you care about and take action: become a member, subscribe to our email action alerts, follow us on Twitter, and like us on Facebook. 

During the 2012 election year the ACLU began to receive complaints that the Michigan Liquor Control Commission was enforcing an old administrative regulation that prohibits bars and restaurants from posting political ads anywhere on their property. Signs about sports teams and beer were allowed, but a sign that said “Vote for Mitt Romney” or “Re-elect Barack Obama” were prohibited.

Eight months have passed, but no one knows what to say to those sitting behind bars with a little hope...but no answers.The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that children who commit crimes can't be sentenced to mandatory life without parole when they ruled on Miller V. Alabama. Yet, despite the verdict that their sentences are cruel and unusual, the fate of Michigan’s 361 juvenile lifers still remains undecided.While the ruling makes it clear that juvenile life sentences, states are wondering whether this should affect those already sentenced. The question now is whether children sentenced to die behind bars before this ruling now have a glimmer of hope: a parole hearing to determine if they are rehabilitated and have a chance at a life outside of prison.Here in Michigan, it's time to put that question to rest.

What's the worst that could happen when you complain about local government or news on your Facebook status? For most of us, we'll be unfriended. But for one local civil rights activist, a judge's penalty was much higher.  Majed Moughni heard about a settlement in a class action lawsuit against McDonald's, and deeply disagreed about how the settlement money was spent. He spoke out about the issue on his Facebook account. Like so many of us who share our opinions with friends on the internet, the worst that should have happened was a couple of irritating comments from an old high school friend.

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of moving one step forward and two steps back on reproductive freedom. Just yesterday, Michigan House Speaker Jase Bolger, a Republican, publically proclaimed mandatory transvaginal ultrasounds for women seeking abortions have no place in his House. When we posted on Facebook to thank Speaker Bolger for listening to us about women’s health care, a few people commented with skepticism that true progress had been made. But I was hopeful – hopeful that this progress would last more than 24 hours.  Less than a day later, news sources announced that his colleagues in the Senate would be dropping abortion coverage for senators and their staff effective May 1. There are 38 state senators – 34 men and four women. Apparently, women senators are entrusted to make decisions about our state, but not their own bodies or health care. Could it be that once again men are calling the shots about women’s health care?

We all need to be able to hear the truth about the government, businesses and people who affect our lives. Alexandria Goddard and the people of Steubenville, Ohio know that better than most right now.  Across the internet, from Twitter posts to Youtube videos to photo sharing sites, evidence that appears to show local high school football players raping a teenage girl has emerged online.  After perceiving a lack of police enthusiasm for investigating the case, Alexandria and other internet detectives began blogging for justice... but ran into some shocking roadblocks. Alexandria Goddard runs the blog Prinniefied.com, providing a online forum for locals in Steubenville to share information. As the rape case became news, residents and internet activists began sharing evidence collected from the internet anonymously. A student who was mentioned demanded to know the identities of the anonymous commentators, filing a lawsuit through his parents.