I have really grown to love Florida. Even though I once said I would never live in Florida, I would now like it to be home for the long haul. I also love the US Constitution and hope to see, feel, and hear it come alive in more ways for more Floridians. That is one reason I have elected to use my time, brain, and funds for and with the American Civil Liberties Union. We are looking for more people to be involved in Central Florida. Please take a read of what is below and if you are interested in learning more, let me know. I will connect with you we can mutually decide if there is potential fit worth exploring at an informational dinner. "Hearing the name of the great state of Florida conjures up images of sunbathers on the beaches, families enjoying theme parks, the natural beauty and wildlife of the Everglades, or the sizzling nightlife of South Beach. Lurking behind these images is one of the most restrictive atmospheres in the country when it comes to the ability of the broadest swath of Florida residents to enjoy equal access to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The civil liberties environment in our great state is not open, welcoming and inclusive. Our perennial voting problems are world famous (or infamous). We have more children in jail than any other state in the country. We are competing with notable places like China and Saudi Arabia for the high rate of state executions and incarceration. We have the highest rate of exonerating those on death row. The legislature continues to chip away at women’s rights to make decisions about their own bodies and health and continue trying to outpace states such as Arizona and Alabama relative to targeting and profiling immigrants or people who look like them. LBGT residents of Florida don’t have legal access to many civil rights that others take for granted. These also have negative financial impact on government resources while making the American Dream an illusion for many individuals. While the constricted civil liberties environment is not the only factor, it does contribute to Florida’s “middle of the pack” ranking in income and near bottom standing relative to income equality. The ACLU promotes and protects Constitutional rights and liberties. We do our work through education, supporting non-partisan legislation, and when necessary, through litigation. At times we do take on controversial issues and/or support unpopular people or causes, but we do this for democracy, equality, and rule of law to be broadly applicable. The Central Chapter of the ACLU can play an important role in making a difference in the lives of Floridians by focusing efforts on voting rights, LGBT equality, women’s health and reproductive rights, racial justice, immigrant’s rights and church/state role clarity among other things. We conduct or attend events relative to these and attempt to educate the broader public. We meet with local legislatures and other government bodies to attempt to effect change. We have a group that meets to consider legal cases from individuals who feel wronged by government action. We are looking for more people to help with these important efforts by joining our Board. The time commitment can vary depending upon how involved you can and want to be. Between our regular planning meetings and some of these activities, it should be 2 hours/month on average." We hope that your interest in these issues, passion to make a difference in people’s lives and experiences would enable you to consider joining our efforts. We would like to invite you to dinner to meet some current board members and learn more.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:21:45 +0000
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