Greater Fresno Chapter

Fresno, Madera, Tulare, and Kings counties

Photo by Howard Watkins - The Greater Fresno Chapter's newly elected Board, pictured with Abdi Soltani (Executive Director) and Ashley Morris (Organizer) from the ACLU-NC on September 14.

CHAPTER MEETINGS

Board Meeting: You are welcome to attend the next board meeting of the ACLU-NC Greater Fresno Chapter Monday, August 2 at 7 pm in the Sarah McCardle Room of the Fresno County Downtown Library on Tulare and O Streets, Across from Eaton Plaza and the Police Headquarters.
A committee is now interviewing possible candidates for the board for the coming year.  If you are interested in serving as a board member, e-mail Bill Simon.

Annual Membership Meeting & Board Election: You are invited to our annual membership meeting and board election which will be held on Monday, September 13.  We will again hold the meeting at the Golden Restaurant in Fresno's Tower District. Michael Risher, the ACLU lawyer in the homeless lawsuit against the city, will be speaking and Ashley Morris, from the Affiliate's Organizing Department, will also speak about current Affiliate Issues.  More details will be available August 9th. 

COMMITTEES

1. Legal Issues (chaired by Georgia Williams):  The committee’s work includes prison issues, vote from jail, pro bono network of attorneys, and developing other legal resources.  Death penalty issues will either be handled by this committee or come to the whole board, as appropriate.
2. Police Issues (chaired by Phil Connelly and Donna Hardina): This committee’s work includes video surveillance, police brutality, the OIR, and issues faced by homeless members of our community.
3. School Issues (chaired by Jean Hays):  This committee’s work includes Williams Act issues and the Schools for All Campaign.

RECENT EVENTS

The Chapter recently participated in Fresno's Harvey Milk Day, the Rainbow Pride Parade, the May 28 Immigration Rally in Fresno protesting Arizona's SB 1070, and the June 22 Troy Davis / Death Penalty Rally.  We have recently sent more information to the U.S. Department of Justice, and we are checking out some complaints we have received about Fresno County Jail.

On May 14 we held a 'Social Meeting' at Round Table Pizza in Visalia. About 35 people came. It was a great party with a chance for Greater Fresno Chapter board members to meet ACLU members and friends from the Visalia area and to learn more about local issues. If you are interested in having a similar event in your area, email Bill Simon.

FUNDRAISER

You are invited to the Greater Fresno Chapter's first fundraiser on Saturday, July 31 at 1785 W. Dovewood Lane in Fresno, beginning at 7 pm.  

The fundraiser benefits both the Chapter and the Affiliate so please come and be generous!  The evening will include music, refreshments, and pleasant conversation, maybe even passionate discussion about civil liberties!  The requested minimum donation is $20, $10 for students. $75 donation in honor of the Affiliate's 75th anniversary would also be appropriate.

Space is limited so we ask you to RSVP to Bill Simon as soon as possible.  We will then send you a pre-numbered ticket.  If you are not able to participate but would like to make a donation, please mail it to ACLU-NC Greater Fresno Chapter, 4974 N. Fresno St, #185, Fresno CA 93726.

MADERA, KINGS, AND TULARE COUNTIES

If you are aware of civil liberties issues in Madera, Fresno, Kings, and Tulare 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 Simon.

GET INVOLVED

If you would like to become more active in the work of the Fresno Area Chapter or have issues you would like to bring to the attention of the local board, contact Bill Simon.

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 Bill Simon at 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