Home » About » Newsletters » November 1997
Defending the First!
By Randy Berg, President
November 1997
The "bread and butter" of the ACLU has always been the defense of the First Amendment. This year is no different. We are confronting several high profile cases which are likely to be quite controversial. (So what else is new.) But this may be the first year in a very long time that the ACLU has had to defend each and every clause of the First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
In defense of the establishment clause, the ACLU (along with People for the American Way) is preparing to file suit against the Lee County School Board for its decision to implement a bible study curriculum in an elective history course for high school students. The purpose of the Christian Coalitionbacked majority to the School Board was and is to teach tenets of the fundamentalist Christian faith. While the specifics of the course have not yet been clearly defined, the School Board is moving forward. So far, their efforts have already produced an impressive body count the School Board Superintendent and Board attorney each resigned. The issue has already been the subject of the national evening news. And there is bound to be more to come.
In defense of the free speech clause, the Miami Chapter and the State Affiliate have taken up the defense of Peggi McKinley. The ACLU filed suit in federal court against Dade County for dismissing Ms. McKinley from the MetroDade Film, Television and Print Advisory Board because she raised some questions about the economic impact of Dade County's ban on contracts with companies doing business with Cuba. The County, in response to perceived wishes of the Cuban exile community, has been attempting to impose a ban on artistic and cultural events that are exempted from any ban by federal law. Ms. McKinley was fired from her volunteer position for doing precisely what she was appointed to do advise the County on policies affecting arts and entertainment. So much for the First Amendment. We will hopefully get that decision reversed in court.
The ACLU usually has several cases in defense of the remaining two clauses the right to assemble and to petition government. Before the year ends, there are bound to be a number of cases we take on to round out our defense of every clause of the First Amendment. So stay tuned.
