News & Commentary

The ACLU sent letters to Kirkwood and Mehlville School Districts advising them to not turn away students from unaccredited schools. This was covered by the:

The ACLU sent letters to Kirkwood and Mehlville School Districts advising them to not turn away students from unaccredited schools. This was covered by the:

ST. LOUIS – The American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri sent letters Friday to the superintendents of both Mehlville and Kirkwood School Districts detailing why it is unconstitutional to refuse to accept students from unaccredited school districts. The letters also include offers from the ACLU-EM to discuss ways the school districts can honor the rights of the parents and children involved.

Street performers do not need to audition or purchase a license to perform in St. Louis City. Today U.S. District Judge Catherine D. Perry granted an injunction in the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri’s case, Pence v. City of St. Louis. The injunction also prevents the enforcement of geographic limits, so street performers are now free to appear at any public location. The Court ordered the parties to attempt to resolve this case in mediation.

On July 19, the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri filed a suit against the St. Louis County Police Department for failing to comply with a Sunshine Law request. In February, the ACLU requested public records, including a copy of an anonymous letter sent to the department that alleged that former Lt. Patrick Hayes engaged in racial profiling practices. The Department has refused to release any records.

ST. LOUIS ? On July 16, the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri filed a suit on behalf of Tara Ballenger and others who correspond with detainees held at the Morgan County Adult Detention Center. Ballenger had regularly sent printed materials, such as letters, newspaper and magazine clippings, and books to a detainee, who did not receive items she sent on various dates in June. Ballenger never received notice that the items were confiscated, and none of the items were returned to her.

ST. LOUIS — On July 2, the St. Charles City Council repealed an ordinance that violated First Amendment rights, and Mayor Sally Faith signed the paperwork making it official. Adopted in January 2011, Section 215.220 of the city’s code of ordinances was only in effect nine days before the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri (ACLU-EM) won a temporary injunction on behalf of its clients, members of the Westboro Baptist Church. A preliminary injunction followed on Jan. 27, 2011.

The Missouri Immigrant & Refugee Advocates (MIRA) and ACLU held a rally for inclusive immigration reform on Sunday, June 30, 2013. Community members and leaders lifted their voices in support of immigration reform at the World's Fair Pavilion in Forest Park, Concourse Drive, St. Louis, Mo., 63110. To learn more about the event, vist

At the beginning of April of this year, the ACLU-EM formally joined MIRA (Missouri Immigrant and Refugee Advocates) - the only statewide immigrant rights advocacy organization - whose membership includes dozens of congregations, agencies, service-providers, and businesses. The ACLU-EM is one of a handful of groups with representatives on MIRA's leadership team, which it created in order to develop a strategy for getting our senators and representatives to pass comprehensive immigration reform. The leadership team meets weekly to discuss ongoing efforts and to plan new events. To learn more about this organization,