Greater Fresno Chapter

CHAPTER BOARD MEETING

The Greater Fresno Chapter will hold its next Board Meeting on Tuesday, June 16 at 6:30 pm. The meeting will be held at the Downtown Library at 2420 Mariposa (at Tulare and O Streets). All ACLU members and interested members of the public are welcome. If there is an issue you would like to bring to the attention of the board, please email simonaclu@sbcglobal.net.

RECENT CHAPTER ACTIVITIES

• On May 11, a chapter board members toured the video surveillance operation run by the Fresno Police Department and found that the system has impressive capabilities. Remember to smile when you are in Fresno, because you're on candid camera...Big Brother is watching you.


• On May 15, chapter board members presented a workshop about student rights at Orange Cove High School as part of "Youth Empowerment Day" organized by the school's M.E.Ch.A. chapter. It was a great day with impressive school staff and students.


• May 19 was a busy day for the chapter. First the ACLU-NC filed suit against the City of Fresno and the Fresno Police Department. The Department had failed to respond in a timely manner to a Public Records Act Request to release the names of the police officers involved in the alleged beating of a homeless man on February 9. Further, the City made it clear that its policy is not to release the names of police officers involved in highly publicized events until the investigation is completed, well after the time required by law. Later in the afternoon, the chapter cosponsored a "Troy Davis - End Capital Punishment" Rally followed in the evening by the chapter's bi-monthly committee meetings. Thanks to all who are involved in the committees.


• On May 23, the chapter held a workshop for people with family members in prison. Forty people participated, and it was a great success. Negotiating the prison system can be difficult. Family members are often expected to know things that nobody has informed them of. For example, did you know that prison visitors can only wear black, white, pink, purple or gray clothing?


• On May 30, several chapter members participated in the "Meet in the Middle" demonstration at Fresno City Hall in response to the California Supreme Court's decision upholding Proposition 8.


• On June 6, the chapter tabled and marched in the annual Fresno Gay Pride Parade and Festival.

CHAPTER COMMITTEES

In response to civil liberties issues brought to us by members of the community, the Chapter has set up several committees, including Tabling, Volunteers, Prison Issues/Vote from Jail, Video Surveillance, Church/State, Pro Bono Network of Attorneys, West Side Issues, Williams Act, and Homeless Issues.

If you would like to become involved in one of these committees, please email Bill Simon at simonaclu@sbcglobal.net.

MADERA, KINGS, AND TULARE COUNTIES

We still need to develop contacts in Madera, Kings, and Tulare Counties.  If you are aware of civil liberties issues in those counties, know of community events where the ACLU Chapter could table, or if you would like to help organize an ACLU social meeting in your community, contact Bill at simonaclu@sbcglobal.net.

GET INVOLVED

If you would like to become more active in the work of the Greater Fresno Chapter or have issues you would like to bring to the attention of the local board, contact Bill at simonaclu@sbcglobal.net.

MISSION STATEMENT OF THE GREATER FRESNO AREA CHAPTER OF THE ACLU of NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

The mission of the Greater Fresno Area Chapter of the ACLU-NC is to support the goals of the ACLU-NC: To defend, maintain, and extend the civil liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and by the Constitution of the state of California. 

The Chapter will implement its mission by:

• Referring people with civil liberties legal questions to the ACLU-NC Civil Liberties Counselors at 415-621-2488;
• Reaching out to individuals and organizations in our four-county community who are involved in social justice issues, especially of a civil liberties nature, by cosponsoring appropriate events, tabling at community events, and participating in such events;
• Sponsoring and otherwise participating in educational events or activities such as forums,  presentations to school groups and to other community groups, and letter- writing campaigns, including letters to the editors of local newspapers:
• Lobbying public officials concerning civil rights issues;
  Inviting the public to ACLU events;
• Seeking to increase membership of the ACLU;
• Raising funds for the support of the local chapter and of the affiliate.

The Greater Fresno Area Chapter of ACLU-NC can be reached at
4974 N Fresno St., #185, Fresno, CA 93726-0317, or by emailing simonaclu@sbcglobal.net.

Legal Questions:

The ACLU addresses civil liberties issues that affect large numbers of people and is not a legal assistance organization.  Local chapters are largely for educational efforts.

If you need advice about civil liberties issues, call an ACLU-NC Civil Liberties Counselor at (415) 621-2488, or visit http://www.aclunc.org.

Other Resources:

Central California Legal Services:
(559) 570-1200, or 1999 Tuolumne St., Ste. 700, Fresno, CA 93721-1613

California Rural Legal Assistance:
(559) 441-8721, or 2115 Kern St., Fresno, CA 93721

Attorney Referral Service:
(559) 264-0137, or 1221 Van Ness Ave., Ste. 300, Fresno, CA 93721