E-News Nassau

How to Become a Party Animal

Given the kicking-around that our civil liberties have been taking from Washington, what we, stalwart defenders of the constitution, need to do now is initiate a troop surge of our own.
So we're going to party.
And that's where you come in.
We are currently putting together a campaign get people involved and expand our base support through a series of civil liberties house parties. We will shock them with our legendary history and awe them with our continuing accomplishments.
To help meet this goal, we're asking you to invite family, friends, neighbors and business colleagues to your house for a party. We'll help you plan the event and, of course, provide the speaker. The party can be as simple as a coffee-and-cookies two-hour event, as formal as a full dinner, or anywhere in between. That's up to you.
To enlist in the campaign, call Tara Keenan-Thomson at 741-8520 and let's party.

Forums Coming Up

Thursday, January 24
NYCLU Annual Winter Meeting: The Candidates Go on Record: A Presidential Forum on Civil Liberties.
To help you decide for whom to cast your primary vote, the Nassau Chapter's Annual Winter Meeting will feature a forum during which representatives of the presidential aspirants will discuss their candidate's stand on civil liberties topics such as: rendition, habeas corpus, wiretapping, the death penalty, racial bias in the justice system, Real ID, and more. You'll have a chance to ask questions and expect clear answers.

7:30 pm, Hofstra Cultural Center Theater in the Axinn Library, South Campus, Hempstead.  Free.
The event will be co-sponsored by the Hofstra School of Education and Allied Human Services.

For information contact: Tara Keenan-Thomson at nassau@nyclu.org

Wednesday, January 23
Update on LGBT Issues
The membership of several gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender groups, and their straight supporters, will get together to meet and hear updates on LGBT issues. The event is part of a project under the auspices of NYCLU and the Empire State Pride Agenda. The leadership of several LGBT organizations will speak on a variety of issues, including three bills currently on tap in the NY State Legislature: The Marriage Equality Act, GENDA, a bill to prevent firings based on being trans-gender or on related behavior, and the Dignity for All Students Act, a high-school anti-bullying law.

7 pm, Central Synagogue, 430 DeMott Ave., Rockville Centre. Free. For information: Jeffrey.S.Friedman@gmail.com.

Tuesday, January 15
The Real Scoop on Real ID
How does Real ID differ from the internal identity cards once associated with the Soviet Union and its satellites? Not in many ways, according to civil libertarians. Learn more abut how plans to issue every American an ID card threaten our essential civil liberties. Everyone's invited to learn more at a forum sponsored by the Nassau and Suffolk NYCLU Chapters.

7-9 pm, Huntington Town Hall, Free.

For information contact: Tara Keenan-Thomson at nassau@nyclu.org

Roe v. Wade 35th Anniversary Event

We can't believe it's been 35 years since the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade. If you can't make it to the LGBT Forum and you live near Huntington, join the NYCLU Nassau, as well as the Planned Parenthood chapters of Nassau County and the Hudson Peconic region, at an event to commemorate this seminal decision and learn why we can no longer count on the protection of the Supreme Court.
The event will take place on January 23, 2008 and will feature a discussion with author and activist Dr. Ken Edelin. It will be held at the Congregational Church of Huntington, 30 Washington Drive, Centerport, NY from 6:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m. In order to help support Planned Parenthood's educational campaigns and medical services, there is a suggested donation of $10 (or $5 for students).
Please RSVP to (516)750-2666 by January 18th if you'd like to join us.

EOC sponsoring free bus to Riverhead this Saturday to raise questions about White case
Were you surprised at the way the case of John White was handled by the Suffolk District Attorney?  If so, there will be a march and rally this Saturday , January 5, at the Criminal Court Building in Riverhead (210 Center Drive) at 12:30 pm.  The Economic Opportunity Commission of Nassau County has organized a free bus to bring people there if you need transportation.  To join the bus meet at 134 Jackson Street in Hempstead at 10:30 am.  To reserve a seat contact Yvette Miller at 516-292-9710 or ymiller@eoc-nassau.org by Friday.