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Settlement Ends NYCLU Lawsuit Challenging Shut Down of Controversial Art Exhibit
February 27, 2012 — As part of the settlement of a federal lawsuit concerning the 2008 closure of a local arts and media center after a controversial exhibit opened there, the City of Troy will partner with the media center on a grant application to the National Endowment for the Arts.
The New York Civil Liberties Union and the Albany law firm of O'Connell and Aronowitz filed the lawsuit in June 2009 on behalf of Media Alliance, a non-profit organization that operates the media center, The Sanctuary for Independent Media.
The lawsuit challenged the city’s decision to close the media center on purported code violations on March 11, 2008, a day after the opening of Iraqi-American artist Wafaa Bilal’s digital art installation, “Virtual Jihadi.” The city and former Public Works Commissioner Robert Mirch were listed as defendants.
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Chapter Honors Senator Duane, Assembly Member O'Donnell and NYS Prisoner Justice Network at Annual Awards Ceremony
The Capital Region Chapter of the NYCLU has honored two state legislators for their long-time advocacy of fair marriage laws, and has also recognized the efforts of a grassroots coalition fighting injustice in the state's broken prison system.
State Sen. Thomas K. Duane and Assembly Member Daniel J. O'Donnell were honored for their courageous stands in support of giving all New Yorkers the freedom to marry. The New York State Prisoner Justice Network was recognized for challenging pervasive failures and abuses in the state's prisons. Naomi Jaffe, Shoshana Brown and Victorio Reyes accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
The annual awards ceremony, attended by about 70 people, was held on Nov. 10 at the Polish Community Center in Albany.
NYCLU Legislative Director Robert Perry introduced Senator Duane and Assembly Member O'Donnell, both the first openly gay men in their respective legislative bodies. Perry shared vignettes that highlighted the vitriol that Duane and O'Donnell endured in the Legislature while fighting for fair marriage laws.
Senator Duane encouraged the audience to protest wrongs, even if it meant resorting to civil disobedience. Assembly Member O'Donnell noted that, in the past, he had acted as Duane's attorney when the senator engaged in such actions.
The representatives of the Prisoner Justice Network were introduced by Colin Donnaruma, the new president of NYCLU Capital Region Chapter. The three activists were all founding organizers of the grass-roots coalition that seeks to confront the state's "Prison Industrial Complex," which incarcerates 90,000 people. They noted that there are dozens of groups seeking to reform various aspects of the prison system but, until now, there had been no coordinating organization to unite them. They also said they understand that "success" will not come overnight. Ms. Jaffe said, "Sometimes the best you can do is keep things from getting worse."
NYCLU Study Examines Rise of Anti-Mosque Activities in New York State
August 24, 2011 — The New York Civil Liberties Union today released a briefing paper examining the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment and anti-mosque activities throughout New York State.
The briefing paper, Religious Freedom Under Attack: the Rise of Anti-Mosque Activities in New York State, explores the legal and cultural background against which mosque controversies have unfolded across the state over the past year. It calls on public officials to promote intercultural understanding of Muslim New Yorkers while respecting the First Amendment rights of those who oppose mosque projects.
The paper provides nine examples of incidents across the state in which Muslim communities were targeted for their beliefs and practices by their neighbors and/or local governments. It chronicles the fierce opposition to the proposed Park51 Muslim community center in Lower Manhattan, and details heated opposition to mosques and proposed mosque projects in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn; Midland beach, Staten Island; and three communities in Long Island. It also covers three incidents in upstate New York in which mosques were subjected to harassment and attacks.
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Busy Day: Chapter Elects Board Members, Lauds Student Contest Winners, Debates Campaign Finance at Annual Meeting
At its annual meeting on May 20 in Albany, the Capital Region Chapter elected four new board members, honored the three high school students who won its annual "Think About Freedom" contest, and hosted a lively discussion on campaign finance law following the U.S. Supreme Court's controversial Citizens United decision.
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