ACLU of Wisconsin and Marquette University Law School present fifth annual Youth Government Day in Milwaukee

November 8, 2004

On Tuesday, November 16, 2004, high school students from the Greater Milwaukee Area will engage in their roles as government officials in scenarios like oral arguments before the Wisconsin Supreme Court in which two Milwaukee Public School students challenge the adequacy of their schools' funding and a UN Special Investigation into the allegations of juvenile prisoner abuse in Abu Ghraib prison while it was under U.S. control.

The program is designed to increase the participants' knowledge of government and their roles as young residents and citizens; emphasis is placed on procedure and the civic liberties issues present in the scenario. Participants are briefed and guided by technical and trained youth advisors for their roles. This year YGD will feature a campaign and election for President of the United States in which participants will use real voting ballots, machines and booths.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Wisconsin is a non-partisan civil rights organization that works to protect and promote the civil liberties of all Wisconsin residents. Its Youth & Civil Liberties Council (YCLC) advances the rights of youth through public education programming and services, advocacy and policy monitoring.

Marquette University Law School is steeped in tradition and the Jesuit philosophy and provides a curriculum that is designed to ensure that students will have the substantive knowledge, skills, and values essential to practice law in the twenty-first century. Marquette University Law School is proud to count among its alumni state and federal judges, business administrators and political leaders.

Additional contributions by the Urban Underground and City of Milwaukee Election Commission. The program is held annually at the Marquette University Alumni Memorial Union.