Conference and Lobby Day

Amid the California budget crisis, here is an opportunity to advocate for reforms that can truly make a difference. YOU can play a direct role in pressing for reforms that would save millions, even billions of dollars, while strengthening civil liberties and civil rights.

Join the ACLU of Northern California for our 2011 Conference & Lobby Day, March 19-21 in downtown Sacramento! Register now »

• Organize. Learn about critical civil liberties issues and ways to take action.
• Lobby. Gain insights on the California legislative process from experts, and participate in lobbying training.
• Advocate. Speak directly with your elected officials in Sacramento about the issues you care about most.
• Connect. Get to know ACLU staff and grassroots activists from across Northern California.

The 2011 Conference is your opportunity to gain the knowledge you need to become a strong, effective advocate in arenas where promising reforms are on the table, in the state legislature and elsewhere. There are real gains to be made this year in protecting online privacy, ending racial profiling, and shifting our approach to immigration so that valuable resources are not wasted on the persecution of innocent people, among others.

Mingle with ACLU staff and meet fellow social justice and civil liberties enthusiasts. All active participants in the struggle for freedom and justice are welcome to attend.

ACLU-NC Conference & Lobby Day 2011
Saturday, March 19 - Monday, March 21
Holiday Inn Sacramento Capitol Plaza
300 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Register for all three days, or only those you can attend.

CONFERENCE AGENDA

Saturday, March 19, 11:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Featuring Jakada Imani, Executive Director of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights for a keynote address on the criminal justice system and workshops on immigrants rights, LGBT rights, your rights with the police, civil liberties in schools, technology and civil liberties, reproductive justice, and more. Lunch will be provided. An ACLU signature just.social mixer will follow at a nearby bar.

Sunday, March 20, 9:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Featuring Francisco Lobaco, Legislative Director for ACLU in California for a plenary on the state of civil liberties in Sacramento and opportunities for change. There will also be breakout sessions to learn about the bills we will be lobbying on, and a lobby training so you will be fully prepared for Monday. Lunch and dinner will be provided.

Monday, March 21, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Lobby Day! Lobby visits with legislators' offices at the Capitol. Breakfast will be provided. Please wear business or business casual attire.

REGISTRATION AND HOTEL INFORMATION

Early Bird Registration Deadline: Sunday, March 6, 2011
There is a small fee to cover a portion of the costs of meals for conference attendees. General Admission tickets may be purchased for $30, student discount tickets may be purchased for $15. People with financial hardship may contact organizing@aclunc.org for information regarding fee waivers. 

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, March 16, 2011
After Sunday, March 6, General Admission tickets will increase to $35, and Student discount tickets will increase to $20.

Hotel Reservations:
A special room rate of $84/night for singles and $104/night for doubles is available at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Capitol Plaza until February 16, 2011. Call (916) 446-0100 or go to http://www.sacramentohi.com/reservations.aspx and provide group code QAC to receive the discounted rate.

Travel Grants:
Travel grants are available for conference attendees for whom the associated costs of attending the conference may be an economic burden. The application is available here.

You are encouraged to participate on all three days.  However, if you are not available, you are welcome to participate only on those days when you are available. Please be sure to note which days you will be attending when you register.