Rights of the Poor

Poor people are one of the least powerful groups in the U.S. and their civil liberties are therefore always in a precarious state. The ACLU has defended the rights of the poor against government arbitrariness and abuse through litigation, lobbying and public education.

South Milwaukee Lake Bluff Apartments - Final Chapter in Housing Discrimination Challenge Settled
Monday June 27, 2011
Fair housing advocates announced the settlement of a long-running court challenge to protect the Lake Bluff Apartments, an integrated, affordable and accessible development in South Milwaukee. After a 2009 jury verdict found that tearing down Lake Bluff would have a discriminatory effect in violation of the Fair Housing Act, and after nearly two years of subsequent negotiations, Lake Bluff will remain a diverse and accessible place to live. Read more…
Full Statement on Settlement: 6/27/2011 - Statement
Press Release: 6/27/2011 - Fair Housing Lawsuit Against City of South Milwaukee Settled

Milwaukee Coal Plant’s Conversion to Gas a Big Step for Environmental Justice
Thursday May 5, 2011
Applause for We Energies’ announcement on May 5 that it will take the first steps to convert the Menomonee Valley coal plant to natural gas. This action has the potential to significantly improve the Milwaukee community's air quality and the health of its residents by reducing dangerous air pollution. “We can all breathe a little easier knowing that We Energies is taking this first step to clean up the plant,” stated Karyn Rotker, Senior Staff Attorney with ACLU of Wisconsin, “This is one of the state’s dirtiest plants, in the midst of communities of color, and we are glad those communities will benefit from a transition to a cleaner fuel source.” Read more…
Press Release: 5/5/2011 – Cleaner Valley Coalition: We Energies Takes a Big Step in the Right Direction

Environmental Justice Groups Object to WisDOT’s Discriminatory Failure to Include Transit in Zoo Interchange Plans
Tuesday April 05, 2011
The ACLU of Wisconsin joined other environmental justice groups like the Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin and Midwest Environmental Advocates in opposing the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s plan to continue to expand highway access via the Zoo Interchange while cutting transit spending. As recipients of federal funding, the state cannot have programs that have a discriminatory effect. The WisDOT’s transportation funding and policy decisions are leading toward more roads for car owners and fewer transportation options for people who depend on public transportation. Read more…
Press Release: 4/5/2011 - Environmental Justice Groups Object to WisDOT’s Discriminatory Failure to Include Transit in Zoo Interchange Plans
Comments: 4/4/2011 – Comments to William Mohr, Mega Project Manager, WI DOT SE Transportation Region, Waukesha

Federal Report Underscores Need for Fair Housing Plans, ACLU of Wisconsin Agrees
On October 18th, the ACLU of Wisconsin responded to the report issued by the U.S. Government Accountability Office on Housing and Community Grants and the need to enhance requirements and oversight of fair housing plans. “Federal law is very clear that if a local government gets money from HUD for things like the Community Development Block Grants, it must analyze the impediments to fair housing in that community,” noted Karyn Rotker, Senior Staff Attorney for the ACLU of Wisconsin. Beyond an analysis, plans must take actions to reduce barriers. “This isn’t just responding to complaints of discrimination – it’s taking active steps to create a more inclusive community.” Read more…
Press Release: 10/18/2010 - GAO Finds HUD and Local Governments Need to do a Better Job to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing: ACLU and Fair Housing Council Agree

Slow Water Flow to Suburbs, Community Groups Urge
Tuesday March 9, 2010
Environmental and civil rights organizations are joining forces to urge that Water Supply planning consider meaningful alternatives to facilitating the continuation of unequal and unsustainable development patterns. The organizations object to the continuing failure by regional planners to consider whether alternatives to current sprawling land use patterns would be better for the environment, and more beneficial to communities of color and low income communities.
Press Release: 3/9/2010 - Slow Water Flow to Suburbs (PDF)
Document: Comments regarding the socioeconomic impact analysis for the water supply study (PDF)

Big Brother Honadel’s Call to Fingerprint Poor Children Gives Businessmen a Bad Name
Monday, February 15, 2010
Today State Representative Mark Honadel (R-South Milwaukee) sent out a media release announcing his plan to introduce legislation to require fingerprinting of poor children in the Wisconsin Shares day care program every day at check-in and check-out. The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin opposes treating our children – including poor children -- like parts at an auto supply store or boxes of cereal at a grocery store.
Read more…
Press release: 02/15/2010 - Big Brother Honadel’s Call to Fingerprint Poor Children Gives Businessmen a Bad Name (PDF)