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Laura Murphy, the ACLU's 'Washington Watchdog', to Visit Milwaukee
February 14, 2005
The Director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Washington
Legislative Office since 1993, Laura Murphy, will be visiting Wisconsin
an a one day stop to talk about current civil liberties status in the
United States.
Murphy, the first woman and the first African American to serve as Director,
is recognized as being one of the most public watchdogs with a reputation
as one of the most influential lobbyists. Her belief in the Bill of Rights
and the duty of protecting those rights from overzealous lawmakers is
what makes her a clear leader in Washington.
"Rights are only as good as their reach to those in the minority,"
she says. "People in the majority don't need much protection ...
It's those dissenting voices, those going against popular opinion, who
need the protection of the Bill of Rights."
Murphy will speak during the ACLU of Wisconsin’s 75 Years in Wisconsin
Celebration designed to motivate and encourage civil libertarians across
the state.
"The Celebration is an opportunity to involve people to fight against
the erosion of our fundamental freedoms, especially the freedom of speech,"
said Chris Ahmuty, Executive Director of the ACLU of Wisconsin. "Murphy’s
participation will help emphasize how important it is that we get involved
to ensure the protection of our civil liberties and civil rights."
Murphy’s leadership on civil liberties issues arising since September
11 led to her being the subject of extensive profiles in the Washington
Post’s "Federal Page" as well as in her hometown newspaper,
the Baltimore Sun. In addition, in the November 22, 2001 issue of Rolling
Stone Magazine, an article entitled "John Ashcroft's Midnight Raid"
reported on the congressional debate on the USA Patriot Act based on Murphy's
lobbying efforts.
Murphy’s presentation will be highlighted by the recognition of
four Wisconsin civil libertarians’ work: David Schwartz, Attorney
James Friedman, Noor Najeeb, and Milwaukee Public Television’s ¡Adelante!
The ACLU’s 75 Year in Wisconsin Celebration will also include an
action center for people to sign up for ACLU alerts and get educated on
critical issues currently facing Americans, including the Patriot Act,
racial profiling and free speech rights.
The event is being sponsored by Gordon Faulkner, Midwest Airlines, Milwaukee
Teachers’ Education Association, Milwaukee Muslim Women’s
Coalition, Anderson Graphics, Law Offices of Curry First, Attorney Walt
Kelly, Trounce Records, Peace Action Wisconsin, MMK Design, Joanna Dupuis
Design, Les Artistes Agency.
The event will start at 7 pm at the Italian Community Center. For more
information please contact the ACLU of Wisconsin at 414.272.4032 or visit
www.aclu-wi.org.
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