Friday, January 17, 2014

2013. It was a good year for freedom.

The ACLU’s victories are your victories.

 ACLU National highlights:

·         Securing the Freedom to Marry. The Supreme Court ended the federal government’s discrimination against legally married same-sex couples
·         Standing with Service Women. Congress reversed the ban on insurance coverage of abortions for service women who became pregnant as a result of rape.
·         Taking Back Our Genes. In a groundbreaking case, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that corporations could not own DNA.
·         Promoting Fair Sentencing. President Obama commuted the sentences of four individuals highlighted in an ACLU report on people serving life without parole for nonviolent offenses.
·         Exposing Unlawful Spying. ACLU lawsuits forced the release of secret court documents showing abuse of surveillance power by the NSA.

ACLU of Wyoming highlights:

·         Issued annual report Incarceration in Wyoming, based on data from 2012 jail and prison complaints
·         Promoted safe and humane conditions in Wyoming’s prisons and jails; successfully resolving numerous prisoner complaints
·         Expanded board membership
·         Approved 3-year organizational Strategic Plan
·         Settled Fourth Amendment unreasonable search lawsuit where a man was forcibly catheterized
·         Filed lawsuit contesting results in local special district election
·         Hosted film screening of Code of the West, a documentary about medical marijuana in Montana, followed by guest speaker - former Municipal Court Judge Leonard Frieling of LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition)
·         Participated in Equal Pay Today! Campaign advocating for closing the gender wage gap
·         Strengthened  relations with coalition groups, such as Wyoming Equality, NARAL Pro-Choice Wyoming, and the Equality State Policy Center
·         Continued year-round legislative lobbying and education efforts
·         Provided legal assistance and information on civil liberties issues

To our community of supporters, thank you!