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Washington DC, The White House, Sunday January 11, 2015. Around 150 human rights activists mobilized by Amnesty International, Code Pink, The Center For Constitutional Rights, Witness Against Torture and other groups rallied in front of the White House to protest the 13th Anniversary of the continuing barbaric, sadistic, cynical and completely unnecessary incarceration without charge or trial of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay Cuba. Our Disappointer In Chief Barack Obama has failed to honor his oft repeated campaign promises to close this shameful facility and free the more than 50 inmates cleared for release many years ago. After an hour of speeches the protesters marched to the US Department Of Justice where they threw 127 orange flowers, one for each Guantanamo inmate, behind the police barricades.
The City of Orlando recently passed an ordinance forbidding the feeding of the homeless by a group that volunteered those efforts. The ACLU has brought suit against the City.
marijuanaconversation.org
Check out Marijuana Conversation for a collection of online videos and interviews with common-sense approach to cannabis in the USA including the full :30 video featuring travel documenter Rick Steves. A solid line-ups of not the usual crusty preachers of the erstwhile revolution. Aimed more at soccer moms than Rastafarians if you catch my meaning.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 26, 2011
The Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade was held along Hennepin Avenue and had over 100,000 spectators. It's one of the largest parades in the upper midwest and the largest in Minneapolis.
2011-06-26 This is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.
ACLU FREEDOM TO BE MYSELF Trans Pride Rally on the National Mall in Washington DC on Saturday afternoon, 17 May 2025 by Elvert Barnes Photography
Learn about this event at worldpridedc.org/events/trans-pride-washington-dc/
Elvert Barnes 9th World Pride / 50th Washington DC LGBTQ Pride 2025 docu-project at elvertxbarnes.com/dc-gay-pride-1
Elvert Barnes GAY PRIDE 2025 Archives at elvertxbarnes.com/gaypride
Elvert Barnes LGBTQ Archives at exbphoto.com/lgbtq
Elvert Barnes 2025 PROTESTS at elvertxbarnes.com/protests
Elvert Barnes MAY 2025 Archives at exbphoto.com/2025
ACLU's Elizer Darris speaks to Myon Burrell supporters at George Floyd Square. Myon was convicted of murder in 2002 in a case that has people calling for his exoneration. More info at myonburrell.com.
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This image is part of a continuing series following the unrest and events in Minneapolis following the May 25th, 2020 murder of George Floyd.
A SHORT ESSAY ON CREATION
FROM THE TIME WE ARE LITTLE CHILDREN...our eyes instinctively turn toward the heavens, searching for signs of mysteries that will become more intense as we grow older and wiser.
As children, we might satisfy our curiosity by finding images in the shapes of cloud formations; as we grow older, we can, if we permit, let the mysteries of the ages drive us to heights of insanity, or we can find a quiet solace in the knowledge that we did not create the beauty of the heavens and that we are not the first to gaze in wander at the passing of time and seasons.
If we can find no way to comprehend creation, we can always contact the ACLU and vent our hostilities about our lack of wisdom and knowledge...
I asked permission to take his picture, so he smiled for the photo. Meet Milton Kapner, aka Brother Nathanael. He was born into the Jewish faith before converting to the Orthodox Church in the late 1980s. ( see : www.summitdaily.com/article/20060908/NEWS/109080054 and megorious.com/phlog/queer-guy-for-the-end-is-nigh )
Besides alphabet soup, we've got the latest soundbite of police bashing, our nation's most popular sport these days.
The American Civil Liberties Union came out with its report card on the Chicago Police Department and what it found was both "troubling" and "shocking."
According to the Department's own records, the CPD made a total of 250,000 Street Stops or Field Interviews over a four month period last Summer. Frankly, I found that quite reassuring. Most of the times when I venture into the city, I see more of a police absence than a presence, certainly compared to the days when I worked those same areas two decades ago.
Of those 250,000 stops - all of which were recorded on so-called Field Contact Cards - the ACLU examined a sample of 250 cards and concluded they did not meet its constitutional requirements. In other words, they examined one tenth of 1% of the cards, and that's what they built their case on...
Undaunted by the miniscule size of its sample, the ACLU charges ahead and concludes that the CPD is out of step with other police departments. Chicago stops four times the number of people who were stopped by the NYPD at the height of its stop-and-frisk program.
The NYPD was widely criticized because it targeted minorities who were suspected of drug possession, and arrested thousands for possessing small amounts of marijuana. In Chicago, we're not looking for marijuana, we're looking for gangbangers with guns!
The NYPD's stop-and-frisk program only yielded 770 illegal firearms in 2011 and a measly 400 last year, while the CPD recovered 6,000 guns in 2014, and most of those guns were recovered as the result of Field Stops: gangbangers hanging out on the corner, vehicle stops, etc.
Basically, the ACLU argument is that the CPD violates people's rights by stopping them without sufficient probable cause. After all, if the stop had turned up a gun or some sort of contraband, that stop would have resulted in an arrest instead of a contact card, right?
Well, most of the time, but there can be quite a bit of overlap. For example, you stop a car with four occupants for a traffic violation, which leads to the arrest of the driver. In the process, you have also "stopped" the remaining three occupants, so you fill out contact cards on them , and run their info on the computer to see if any of them has a valid drivers' license, which would enable hat person to drive the car.
If there's a gang fight or shooting, responding units may encounter dozens of people fleeing the area, with no immediate means to determine who is innocent and who is an offender. So you make contact cards on all the ones you can get your hands on. These cards will become an investigative tool for the detectives who are assigned to handle that case, identifying people who were at that particular location at that time. It will give them a pool of potential witnesses and perhaps even an offender or two. These contact cards, however, will not contain the information that so-and-so later turned out to have witnessed the crime, or actually pulled the trigger...
The other half of the ACLU complaint, centers on - what else - race. Of those 250,000 Field Interviews, 72% of the individuals stopped were African American, even though Blacks make up only 32% of Chicago's population. The Department points out that the 72% reflects the percentage of offenders who are identified as African Americans by their victims. In other words, African Americans may only account for 32% of the population, but they account for 72& of crimes.
So, I'm not quite sure what the ACLU wants from us. Do they want us to stop more Whites and Hispanics, even though a victim identifies his assailant as African American? If I see a guy who I have arrested multiple times for drugs and weapons violations, flashing gang signs at passing cars, do I have probable cause to stop him for a field interview and protective pat-down?
Constitutional arguments are always interesting, but practical considerations - such as the safety of regular, law-abiding citizens - must always be our primary concern. The world in which we live is becoming more dangerous with each passing year, and the tide of terror and indiscriminate gun violence is here with us to stay. We've had to make some concessions to our civil liberties already. Now, when you attend any public gathering, you are required to submit to a pat-down for concealed weapons and a search of purses, backpacks and briefcases. If I have to submit to a search when I go downtown to the Blues Fest, you think I'm really gonna lose any sleep because some gangbangers are stopped and checked for weapons?
Get real.
* * * * * * * * * * *
The photo of me was taken in January of 2011, and was used for the back cover of my book "Chicago Cop: Tales from the Street."
At that time, I was recovering from various surgeries, and I could only get out of bed long enough to squeeze into my old uniform and pose for the photo, which is why I got a "bed-head" in the picture.
Photo by Lisa Thomos.
John A. Knight, Director of the ACLU of Illinois Lesbian and Gay Rights/AIDS Project, Speaks to the crowd at the Chicago Rally for the National Equality March in Daley Plaza. Photo by Jay Geneske.
ACLU FREEDOM TO BE MYSELF Trans Pride Rally on the National Mall in Washington DC on Saturday afternoon, 17 May 2025 by Elvert Barnes Photography
Learn about this event at worldpridedc.org/events/trans-pride-washington-dc/
Elvert Barnes 9th World Pride / 50th Washington DC LGBTQ Pride 2025 docu-project at elvertxbarnes.com/dc-gay-pride-1
Elvert Barnes GAY PRIDE 2025 Archives at elvertxbarnes.com/gaypride
Elvert Barnes LGBTQ Archives at exbphoto.com/lgbtq
Elvert Barnes 2025 PROTESTS at elvertxbarnes.com/protests
Elvert Barnes MAY 2025 Archives at exbphoto.com/2025
John A. Knight, Director of the ACLU of Illinois Lesbian and Gay Rights/AIDS Project, Speaks to the crowd at the Chicago Rally for the National Equality March in Daley Plaza. Photo by Jay Geneske.
Scary stuff.
www.b12partners.net/wp/2008/10/22/constitution-free-zone/
which mostly comes from:
www.aclu.org/privacy/spying/areyoulivinginaconstitutionfr...
Demonstrators gathered at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on January 29, 2017 to protest President Trump's executive order barring entry to the U.S. of citizens from seven predominately Muslim nations. Airport officials estimated more than 1,000 protestors attended.
Saturday, February 13, 2016, Shaw Univesity, Raleigh North Carolina. Under cold blue skies a broad, diverse coalition of around 15,000 social justice activists mobilized by the Moral Monday Movement rallied in downtown Raleigh. After gathering at Shaw University and marching to the front of the North Carolina State Capitol they were addressed by a number of speakers including Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II. As in past years the range of related Issues raised by the demonstrators and speakers included voting suppression, civil rights, gun violence, racism, the impoverishment and corporate hijacking of the education system, poverty and the minimum wage, labor rights, LGBT rights, reproductive rights, immigration reform, access to healthcare for all and environmental justice.This event was largely ignored by the corporate media. Thumbs up to the Raleigh Police Department for their respectful presence at the event. There were no arrests.
to the State of the Union - they are an insult to decency. So lost and out of touch. Don't they read papers? Watch news? Or have a job and responsibilities? So very sad that so many people drink the Kool-aid.
Yes, with an event as large as this was to be, and figuring there would be some civil rights violations, even the ACLU showed up.
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The Republican National Convention 2012 was held in Tampa, Florida from August 27-29.
The convention had a rocky start in that Hurricane Issac, only a tropical storm while near Florida, caused the event organizers to play it cautious.
On Monday, August 27, the convention was formally called to order and then immediately put into recess until the next day. The hopes were the tropical storm would pass. It did.
The anticipated protestors never did develop. There were a few, but they were far out number by the photogs. They were extremely passive.
Law enforcement, 4000 strong, outnumbered everyone else.
I went to the RNC, on Tuesday, anticipating to photograph some protestors and hopefully their interaction with the police. My plan quickly fizzled . Instead I turned my camera to the cops.
To say the least, this was an impressive event.
John A. Knight, Director of the ACLU of Illinois Lesbian and Gay Rights/AIDS Project, Speaks to the crowd at the Chicago Rally for the National Equality March in Daley Plaza. Photo by Jay Geneske.
ACLU FREEDOM TO BE Monument in Defense of Transgender Rights Art Installation on the National Mall between 4th and 7th Street in Washington DC on Saturday afternoon, 17 May 2025 by Elvert Barnes Photography
Visit ACLU FREEDOM TO BE MONUMENT website at
www.aclu.org/campaigns-initiatives/freedom-to-be
Learn about this event at worldpridedc.org/events/trans-pride-washington-dc/
9th WORLD PRIDE / 50th WASHINGTON DC LGBTQ PRIDE 2025 ART Project
Elvert Barnes PUBLIC ART 2025 at elvertxbarnes.com/publicart
Elvert Barnes 9th World Pride / 50th Washington DC LGBTQ Pride 2025 docu-project at elvertxbarnes.com/dc-gay-pride-1
Elvert Barnes GAY PRIDE 2025 Archives at elvertxbarnes.com/gaypride
Elvert Barnes LGBTQ Archives at exbphoto.com/lgbtq
Elvert Barnes 2025 PROTESTS at elvertxbarnes.com/protests
Elvert Barnes MAY 2025 Archives at exbphoto.com/2025
ACLU FREEDOM TO BE Monument in Defense of Transgender Rights Art Installation on the National Mall between 4th and 7th Street in Washington DC on Saturday afternoon, 17 May 2025 by Elvert Barnes Photography
HERE FROM THE START, HERE TILL THE END
#D195
ACLU Nevada
Nevada
Artists: ACLU Nevada
www.aclu.org/campaigns-initiatives/freedom-to-be/artwork?...
Visit ACLU FREEDOM TO BE MONUMENT website at
www.aclu.org/campaigns-initiatives/freedom-to-be
Learn about this event at worldpridedc.org/events/trans-pride-washington-dc/
9th WORLD PRIDE / 50th WASHINGTON DC LGBTQ PRIDE 2025 ART Project
Elvert Barnes PUBLIC ART 2025 at elvertxbarnes.com/publicart
Elvert Barnes 9th World Pride / 50th Washington DC LGBTQ Pride 2025 docu-project at elvertxbarnes.com/dc-gay-pride-1
Elvert Barnes GAY PRIDE 2025 Archives at elvertxbarnes.com/gaypride
Elvert Barnes LGBTQ Archives at exbphoto.com/lgbtq
Elvert Barnes 2025 PROTESTS at elvertxbarnes.com/protests
Elvert Barnes MAY 2025 Archives at exbphoto.com/2025
Demonstrators gathered at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on January 29, 2017 to protest President Trump's executive order barring entry to the U.S. of citizens from seven predominately Muslim nations. Airport officials estimated more than 1,000 protestors attended.
#79 in our series of #99problems posters, to mark the 50th anniversary of the international rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association. 99 reminders that human rights are not the problem.
To learn more about the American Civil Liberties Union's work, see www.aclu.org
Saturday, February 13, 2016, Shaw Univesity, Raleigh North Carolina. Under cold blue skies a broad, diverse coalition of around 15,000 social justice activists mobilized by the Moral Monday Movement rallied in downtown Raleigh. After gathering at Shaw University and marching to the front of the North Carolina State Capitol they were addressed by a number of speakers including Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II. As in past years the range of related Issues raised by the demonstrators and speakers included voting suppression, civil rights, gun violence, racism, the impoverishment and corporate hijacking of the education system, poverty and the minimum wage, labor rights, LGBT rights, reproductive rights, immigration reform, access to healthcare for all and environmental justice.This event was largely ignored by the corporate media. Thumbs up to the Raleigh Police Department for their respectful presence at the event. There were no arrests.
Washington DC, March 6, 2017. Around 500 souls mobilized largely online on very short notice gathered in Lafayette Square in front of the White House to protest President Donald J. Trump's 'Muslim Travel Ban 2.0' enacted today. Der Gropenfuhrer's New Order was inked in his bunker without fanfare or press coverage save for an official photo. A similar but even more egregiously illegal January 27 edict ignited an explosion of massive protests nationwide and was decisively struck down by Federal courts. The protesters at today's event were all peaceful but stalwart activist-videographer "Luke" was roughed up and detained needlessly by Secret Service and other cops for bullshit DeploraBall charges already dismissed. Thank God that there were plenty of lawyers and photographers on the scene as witnesses until "Luke" was free to go. Know your rights. Download the ACLU Mobile Justice App and use it.
Saturday, February 13, 2016, Shaw Univesity, Raleigh North Carolina. Under cold blue skies a broad, diverse coalition of around 15,000 social justice activists mobilized by the Moral Monday Movement rallied in downtown Raleigh. After gathering at Shaw University and marching to the front of the North Carolina State Capitol they were addressed by a number of speakers including Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II. As in past years the range of related Issues raised by the demonstrators and speakers included voting suppression, civil rights, gun violence, racism, the impoverishment and corporate hijacking of the education system, poverty and the minimum wage, labor rights, LGBT rights, reproductive rights, immigration reform, access to healthcare for all and environmental justice.This event was largely ignored by the corporate media. Thumbs up to the Raleigh Police Department for their respectful presence at the event. There were no arrests.