News & Commentary

Project Vigilant Aims To Improve Police, Community Interaction

ST. LOUIS, March 22, 2007 - The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals today affirmed a lower court’s permanent injunction prohibiting the City of Columbia and the nonprofit corporation known as Memorial Day Weekend Salute to Veterans from restricting expressive activities at Columbia’s annual air show. The American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri brought the case on behalf of Columbia residents who wished to carry signs and distribute leaflets at the air show. Last February, federal District Judge Nanette K. Laughery had issued a permanent injunction against the city and Salute to Veterans requiring them to permit signs and leafleting.

ACLU FILES SUIT TO PROTECT RIGHTS OF PROTESTERS DURING PRESIDENT'S VISIT

ST. LOUIS, August 10, 2006 -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri and the ACLU Women’s Rights Project filed a lawsuit today on behalf of a family that was denied a permit to live in the city of Black Jack because of a law that prohibits more than three people from living together unless they are related by “blood, marriage or adoption.”

KANSAS CITY, MO -- The American Civil Liberties Union and PROMO, Missouri statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality organization, are very pleased with the new rule issued by the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) allowing lesbian and gay people to be considered as foster parents. DSS has rightly put the interests of children ahead of politics. The foster care system is in crisis, with thousands of foster children languishing in institutional and group facilities due to a severe shortage in foster homes. The new rule is a victory for the nearly 2,000 foster children in Missouri. 

July 18, 2006-- ST LOUIS – The American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri today applauded a decision by a district court in Missouri allowing women prisoners in that state to access timely, safe, and legal abortion care.

ACLU Applauds Decision Allowing Women Prisoners in Missouri to Access Abortion Care

Jefferson City, Missouri (July 17, 2006) -- Today the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri filed suit in Cole County Circuit Court challenging the new Voter Identification law. The law requires Missouri voters to present state-issued photo identification cards at the polls in order to be eligible to vote. Plaintiffs in the case include St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay; the City of St. Louis; St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley; Jackson County Executive Katheryn Shields; and Jackson County.

ST. LOUIS – July 21, 2006 – The American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri filed a lawsuit today on behalf of Shirley L. Phelps-Roper, a member of a controversial conservative Christian church, claims a Missouri law infringes on her rights to religious liberty and free speech. The lawsuit challenges Missouri laws banning protest or picketing “in front of or about” any location in which a funeral is being held or any funeral procession. The law was enacted to prevent members of Phelps-Roper’s church from conducting their protests, which many find to by anti-gay and anti-American.