News & Commentary

By Nico Savidge | Wisconsin State Journal  

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee students held signs, chanted and fell to the ground Tuesday to protest a grand jury's decision not to indict a white Ferguson, Missouri, officer who killed a black 18-year-old. Organized by student groups and Milwaukee County Supervisor David Bowen, they started by standing silently with signs like, "We are Michael Brown," who was killed in Missouri. They then chanted, "Hands up! Don't shoot," a refrain that has b

This is the enduring image of Scott Panetti, a severely mentally ill man on death row in Texas: a paranoid schizophrenic wearing a TV-Western cowboy costume; on trial for his life; insisting on defending himself without counsel; attempting to subpoena the Pope, John F. Kennedy, and Jesus Christ; and raising an insanity defense. At one point, he cross-examined his own alter-ego, Sarge, answering his own questions on-stand, in a different voice.

Since the Supreme Court’s decision in Wolf v. Walker, the ACLU has received many questions about marriage in Wisconsin.  Below are some answers to frequently asked questions.  Please note: These questions and answers provide general information only and are not intended as legal advice or guidance on specific situations that individuals or couples may face.  If you have questions about your specific circumstances, you may wish to consult an attorney who practices in the relevant area of law (e.g., family law, adoption, employment law, trusts & estates law, etc.).  If you believe you have been discriminated against because of your sexual orientation or because you are married to a person of the same sex, you may also contact the ACLU of Wisconsin at 414-272-4032 or through our website, www.ACLU-WI.org.  This is not a guarantee of legal representation and you should take whatever steps are necessary to preserve your rights while we review your concerns.

Since the Supreme Court’s decision in Wolf v. Walker, the ACLU has received many questions about marriage in Wisconsin.  Below are some answers to frequently asked questions.  Please note: These questions and answers provide general information only and are not intended as legal advice or guidance on specific situations that individuals or couples may face.  If you have questions about your specific circumstances, you may wish to consult an attorney who practices in the relevant area of law (e.g., family law, adoption, employment law, trusts & estates law, etc.).  If you believe you have been discriminated against because of your sexual orientation or because you are married to a person of the same sex, you may also contact the ACLU of Wisconsin at 414-272-4032 or through our website, www.ACLU-WI.org.  This is not a guarantee of legal representation and you should take whatever steps are necessary to preserve your rights while we review your concerns.

Since the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the State’s appeal of the ruling in Wolf v. Walker that same-sex couples in Wisconsin have the freedom to marry, the ACLU has received many questions.  Below are some answers to frequently asked questions.  Please note: These questions and answers provide general information only and are not intended as legal advice or guidance on specific situations that individuals or couples may face.  If you have questions about your specific circumstances, you may wish to consult an attorney who practices in the relevant area of law (e.g., family law, adoption, employment law, trusts & estates law, etc.).  If you believe you have been discriminated against because of your sexual orientation or because you are married to a person of the same sex, you may also contact the ACLU of Wisconsin at 414-272-4032 or through our website, www.ACLU-WI.org.  This is not a guarantee of legal representation and you should take whatever steps are necessary to preserve your rights while we review your concerns.

Eighteen community organizations signed the following letter to Mayor Tom Barrett; Alderman Michael Murphy, Common Council President; Alderman Terry Witkowski, Chair, Public Safety Committee; and Sarah Morgan, Chair of the Fire and Police Commission Board about the upcoming replacement of the Executive Director of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 15, 2014  

by Nina Kravinsky