News & Commentary

The Wisconsin State Capitol Police began ticketing protesters in the Capitol Rotunda last week for holding up signs without a permit. According to a Department of Administration spokesperson, on Monday police issued more tickets both for “unlawful display of a sign and not having a permit.” The citations were served at the protesters home to “avoid confrontation and maintain order at the Capitol.”  

On August 28, Wisconsin State Senator Mark Miller sent a letter to Capitol Police Chief David Erwin expressing his concerns that the citizens of Wisconsin should have a free and open access to the Capitol building. In a letter of response by Capitol Police Chief David Erwin on August 30, Chief Erwin outlines why he believes permit requirements for political protests are reasonable.

Student free speech should include the right to wear breast cancer awareness bracelets, according to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin Foundation and cooperating attorneys today. The suit was filed on behalf of a middle school student at Sauk Prairie Middle School who along with many classmates wore an “I ♥ Boobies! (Keep A Breast)” bracelet to school and prompted a school ban.

On Wednesday May 7, Milwaukee City Attorney Grant Langley recognized the right of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to demonstrate outside of a Menomonee Valley slaughterhouse, despite the objections of city Alderman Bob Donovan. A permit has been issued to the group for this Thursday’s demonstration.  “Alderman Donovan has a right to express his disagreement with PETA and their methods, and he certainly doesn’t have to watch their protest if he finds in unpleasant, but he doesn’t have a right to trample on the Constitution,” said ACLU of WI Executive Director Chris Ahmuty.

Many cities, towns and villages around Wisconsin have ordinances that regulate signs on private property. They are usually justified on grounds of aesthetics and traffic safety. If these ordinances just limit the size of the signs or how close they are to the street, they do not impermissibly infringe on freedom of speech. However, occasionally ordinances of this type prohibit property owners from placing political signs, in which case they are clearly unconstitutional.

Monday February 28, 2011 Today the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin in a letter to Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Michael Huebsch insisted that the Secretary ensure fair access to the Capitol. The Department has restricted access to the Capitol by citizens wishing to exercise their rights to free speech and assembly.

As protests have sprung up around Wisconsin this week, the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin Foundation has organized specially trained, neutral observers to be witnesses to interactions between police and demonstrators. With more protesters on both sides of the public debate over the budget repair bill expected this weekend, the ACLU will continue to have observers monitor the demonstrations and the law enforcement response. The ACLU has also widely distributed information about protesters’ rights and responsibilities by handing out its popular “bust cards” at protests and by posting on internet and social media sites all week.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin urges the State Legislature to reject those portions of the budget repair bill that curtail government employees’ rights to organize and collectively bargain over the terms and conditions of their employment. These labor rights are aspects of the First Amendment rights of freedom of association and speech. Private and public employees alike, through their association with other persons in a labor union, must have the ability to seek compensation, benefits and other working conditions through collective bargaining with their employers.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin applauds the Belleville School District in their unanimous decision to keep a challenged book in the ninth grade English curriculum. The school board demonstrated patience and courage to recognize the importance of both due process and the need for relevant and contemporary literature in the classroom. Over 200 community members attended the hearing: the majority wore green "Keep the Book" stickers in a show of support.