News & Commentary
DOMA Unconstitutional! And Prop 8 Goes Down, Too!
The United States Supreme Court just ruled that section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) violates the Constitution. This decision, in the ACLU's lawsuit on behalf of Edie Windsor, marks a watershed moment in the movement for LGBT equality. It's a monumental victory for Edie Windsor, for married same-sex couples, and for the bedrock American value of equality. The core provision of DOMA required the federal government to treat the marriages of same-sex couples one way (as though they had never happened) and the marriages of straight couples a different way (respecting their validity in 1,138 federal contexts). The Supreme Court struck down DOMA both because of that unequal treatment and because the federal government had improperly taken over the states' normal role of deciding who is married and who isn't. The end of DOMA brings important protections for thousands of married same-sex couples all across the country. For Edie Windsor, what DOMA meant w
Federal Court Temporarily Blocks Arkansas Abortion Ban
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 17, 2013
U.S. Supreme Court Declares Core Section of the
Ruling in Historic Windsor Case Establishes Equality for Married Gay Couples Under Federal Law June 26, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: 212-549-2666,
Supreme Court Declares Core of the Defense of Marriage Act Unconstitutional
U.S. Supreme Court Declares Core Section of the "Defense of Marriage Act" Unconstitutional
Know Your Rights - Free Speech, Protests and Demonstrations
Please see document referenced below in the documents section.
Protesters Know Your Rights
Please see document referenced below in the documents section.
Guide to Protests
The ACLU of Arkansas has just released new guidance for those wishing to protest, demonstrate or simply exercise free speech in Arkansas. Included in the release are a full Know Your Rights “Free Speech, Protests and Demonstrations in the State of Arkansas: An Activist’s Guide,” a corresponding KYR pocket card for Protesters and updated KYR pocket card regarding police encounters. The ACLU of Arkansas began developing these materials in the spring in response to protesters who wished to know their rights in Arkansas. With protests currently being planned throughout Arkansas, the ACLU finalized and issued these documents. Speak out, Speak up, Speak freely!
Order Granting Preliminary Injunction in Edwards v. Beck Has Been Filed!
ORDER granting plantiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction; defendant's are enjoined from enforcing or otherwise implementing Arkansas Act 301 of the 2013 Regular Session of the 89th General Assembly of Arkansas, titled the Arkansas Human Heartbeat Protection Act; plantiffs have up to and including 5/28/13 to respond to the motion to intervene submitted by Concepts of Truth Inc [20] [21] [22]. Signed by Judge Susan Webber Wright on 5/23/13.
Judge denies state's motion to dismiss challenge to 12-week abortion ban
Yesterday, the Federal District Court denied the State of Arkansas' request to dismiss the ACLU and Centers for Reproductive Rights' constitutional challenge to the state ban on abortions after 12-weeks and prior to viability. A hearing scheduled for Friday, May 17, 2013 at 10:00 at which the ACLU and CRR will request that the Court prevent the dangerous law from going into effect will proceed as scheduled.
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