News & Commentary

ST. LOUIS – The American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri welcomed a decision today preserving the constitutional protection of unpopular speech. The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit found in favor of Shirley L. Phelps-Roper, a member of the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), in a case challenging a Missouri law that stripped her of her constitutional rights to free speech and religious liberty by banning protests at funerals. The court’s decision in Phelps-Roper v. Nixon reverses an earlier decision that denied Phelps-Roper’s request for a preliminary injunction while the constitutionality of the law is reviewed.

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 5, 2007 – The ACLU of Eastern Missouri is proud to announce the 36th Annual Bill of Rights Celebration taking place Saturday, December 1, 2007 at The Pageant. The program features award winning actor, singer and activist Harry Belafonte and includes a performance by the musical group A Taste of Motown.

ST. LOUIS, MO - The American Civil Liberties Union today asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit to uphold a ruling allowing women prisoners in Missouri to obtain timely, safe, and legal abortion care.

The ACLU of Eastern Missouri today announced that it plans to file an amicus brief supporting the Firefighters Institute for Racial Equality (FIRE) and individual firefighters in their appeal of a judge’s rejection of their challenge to promotional tests that are alleged to be racially biased. The ACLU contends that the lower court was required to consider the difference in past rates in determining whether the tests had an adverse impact on black firefighters. ACLU of Eastern Missouri Legal Director Anthony Rothert said, “The court also erred in failing to give any consideration to the long history of racial discrimination by the St. Louis Fire Department that has been previously recognized by the Court.” The appeal is pending in the federal Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

ST. LOUIS, June 15, 2007 - The membership of the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri (ACLU-EM) elected Thomas Blumenthal to serve as president of the organization’s board of trustees.Blumenthal succeeds Ray Hartmann, who served as president for two years and remains on the board of directors.Board members and officers were elected during the ACLU-EM annual membership meeting held on June 9, 2007.

In statement, Army Specialist recounts rough police treatment during routine stop

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