ACLU of South Carolina

1. ACLU of South Carolina We STAND for Liberty We STAND for Justice We STAND for All Because Freedom Can’t Protect Itself

2. The ultimate measure of a man is not where he STANDS in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he STANDS at times of challenge and controversy. Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr.

3. Our STAND in 2013

4. Criminal Justice Reform&Ending Discrimination

5. March 18, 1963 Gideon v Wainwright The United States Supreme Court held that a poor person facing criminal charges is entitled to counsel provided by the state.

6. 2011 Justice Prevailed Turner v Rogers “A state must provide safeguards to reduce the risk of erroneous deprivation of liberty in civil contempt cases such as child support cases.” ACLU of SC filed an Amicus Brief in support of Mr. Turner

7. 2013 Justice “Regrettably, the state has done very little in the last two years to improve its system. The promise of Gideon is an empty one for most defendants facing charges in these lower courts.” ACLU of South Carolina Newsletter

8. “Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, . . . neither persons nor property will be safe.” Frederick Douglass We called for representation for the indigent . . .

9. Dear Sir or Madam: On March 18, 2013, as the nation celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the U. S. Supreme Court’s landmark right to counsel decision, Gideon v Wainwright, we call for the delivery of meaningful legal representation to indigent defendants in South Carolina’s magistrate and municipal courts. Our research reveals no consistent system for providing indigent defense in these courts . . . ACLU of SC letter to magistrate and municipal courts in South Carolina.

10. Education & Advocacy ACLU of South Carolina sponsored screenings of the award winning HBO Documentary exposing the seriousness of our country’s public defense crisis at Charleston School of Law Avery Center for African American History and Culture USC School of Law

11. STAND Against Racism

13. ACLU National Report Billions of Dollars Wasted on Racially Biased Arrests “Blacks in South Carolina were arrested for marijuana possession at 2.8 times the rate of whites in 2010, despite comparable marijuana usage rates.” ACLU of SC Press Release

14. “ We urge • lawmakers and law enforcers to: • Reform policing practices • End racial profiling • End unconstitutional stops, frisks and searches • Reform state and federal funding that incentivizes police to make low level drug arrests • End the War on Marijuana ” • ACLU of SC Letter to the Editor • Charleston Post & Courier

15. The ACLU campaign to end HIV segregation in prisons won its final victory when South Carolina became the 50th state to end its policy of discrimination.

16. The end of HIV Segregation in South Carolina Prisons “Ending a long outdated policy that stigmatized human beings and ignored modern medical information is a tremendous victory for human rights.” ACLU of SCCharleston Post & Courier

17. Criminalizing the Homeless in Columbia The controversial plan, approved by the city council, gave Columbia's homeless the choice of going to a single faith-based shelter or being arrested.

18. ACLU of SC In the Press “That sidewalk belongs to someone who does not look particularly great just as much as it does to the rest of us.” The State “We certainly think it raises constitutional concerns if they’re going to implement it the way it’s been described. We shouldn’t be arresting people for being homeless.” Free Times

19. Feeding the Homeless in Myrtle Beach?

20. Myrtle Beach outlawed the use of public parks to feed those in need. We are appealing the ruling for our client, a Quaker, who believes it is his obligation to assist those less fortunate. “This ordinance is trying to impose on those who have a different philosophy that they must believe the same way the City of Myrtle Beach believes.” ACLU of South CarolinaNews 13

21. ACLU defends street musician ticketed for playing in Charleston tourist district There are some serious First Amendment issues involved in how the City of Charleston has established its peddlers' and charitable solicitation statutes. We filed a motion to dismiss the case of a street musician ticketed for playing in the Market, and the court dropped the charges.

22. We are challenging the Charleston charitable solicitation ordinance requiring panhandlers to obtain a $32 permit before they can ask for money to buy a sandwich. "The effect of that is to criminalize poverty, which is a real movement across the country.” ACLU of SC Charleston City Paper

23. LGBT

24. We STAND (and march)for LGBT Rights Upstate Pride – Spartanburg

25. Supporting the end of DOMA Rallies in Columbia & Charleston

26. We speak out for equality

27. ACLU & Edie Windsor Dismantled DOMA

28. “Marriage involves commitment and the lifelong promise to take care of the one you love. Same-sex couples in our state who have made that commitment find themselves in legal limbo, with the federal government recognizing their marriages and South Carolina not doing so. What we ask is that we treat our neighbors more fairly and not deny freedoms to those who have already taken on the responsibilities that come with a marriage commitment.” ACLU of SC Letter to the Editor The State

29. LGBT Rights in Schools A high school senior in South Carolina undergoing female to male gender change was denied her request to be photographed in a tuxedo for the yearbook. After the ACLU of SC sent a demand letter, the school reconsidered. Now the student can be photographed in the tuxedo and participate in graduation in male clothing.

30. We STAND for Workplace Fairness “We applaud the S. C. House representatives who stepped up to sponsor the Workplace Fairness Act (H. 4025). It is time for our state to join those that protect LGBT workers from employment discrimination, and we will work to ensure that it passes.” ACLU of SC Op-EdThe Statehouse Report

31. We STANDfor . . .

33. In 2012, we began a statewide campaign to promote freedom from proselytizing and free exercise of religion in public schools by requesting records from every school district in the state. We are working with the Greenville School district and other districts concerning remedies to violations we have identified.

34. South Carolina School Boards Association School Law Conference “Deconstructing the First Amendment” “I have heard many opening statements. Yours was, no doubt, the best. This [the place of religion in the schools] was a very difficult topic to address. However public discourse on the issue was needed. . . . your work makes a difference, even when people disagree.” Gwen Hampton SC School Boards Association Susan Dunn, ACLU of SC Legal Director Keynote Speaker

35. Look Who's Talking Taboo: Discussing the Undiscussable Main Stage into Main Street Community Forum Warehouse Theatre – Greenville A community conversation about issues raised in the theatre's production of the Tony award winning musical comedy, Avenue Q: Exploring controversial issues treated in the play, such as homophobia and discrimination. ACLU of SC Executive Director joined the panel

36. Human beings are not illegal.

37. We STAND for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

38. National Day of Action for Dignity and Respect Sponsored by the ACLU of SC & SC Appleseed Justice Center Goose Creek

39. Immigration Reform Public Service Announcements “Americadeserves a common sense immigration process that includes a roadmap for new Americans who aspire to be citizens. Everyone agrees that the patch-work of immigration policies and programs we have aren’t working.  There is a maze of regulations, and often there is no line to get into to become a fully participating American. In order to do our part to welcome newcomers and do what's right for our country, we need common sense immigration reform, and we need it now.” Broadcast on radio stations throughout South Carolina

40. Know Your RightsPublic Service Announcements TRANSLATION:  In this country, we all have rights, no matter your immigration status. One fundamental right is to not be discriminated against because of the color of your skin or your race. If you think you've been the victim of racial discrimination, contact the American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina. Broadcast on radio stations throughout the state in Spanish

41. In the Courts We initiated a lawsuit seeking to block enforcement of SC’s anti-immigrant legislation (SB 20), the “show me your papers” law. The 4th Circuit affirmed the injunction in that case and sent the case back to the US District Court in Charleston for trial. We are currently in negotiations with the state to resolve remaining issues and ensure that racial profiling will not be tolerated.

42. Education & AdvocacyImmigration Reform Fall 2013 Statewide Tour: Citizen Lobbyist Training Over 150 people learned how to effectively get their civil liberties messages across to elected officials.

43. Citizen Lobbyist Training Greenville

44. Citizen Lobbyist Training Columbia

45. Citizen Lobbyist Training Charleston

46. We STAND for . . .

47. Reproductive Freedom & Women’s Rights

48. A Mother’s Rights In November, a newborn tested positive for marijuana. The test was reported to the Department of Social Services, and the baby was taken from the mother, with no due process. After negative drug screening and a positive home study, DSS still refused the parents custody of their daughter. The ACLU of SC sent a demand letter, and the baby went home for Christmas.

49. We Lobbied for Reproductive Freedom