LETTER TO THE EDITOR / FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS

Roger Kostmeyer

Have you ever worried about horrific stories affecting family, friends, neighbors or the most vulnerable, and wondered who would fight for them? If so, you would have enjoyed and been reassured by listening to Dr. Micah Kubic, Executive Director of ACLU- Florida, last Saturday in Key West. Like The League of Women Voters, The Southern Poverty Law Center, EarthJustice and other non-profit, nonpartisan organizations that are on the front lines fighting for rights imbedded in our Constitution – ACLU is not only fighting but winning.

The American Civil Liberties Union is confronting 87 separate and important issues but, at this point, the big three challenges are: Voting Rights, Criminal Justice and Immigration.

THE VOTE – The right to vote is precious and the heart of democracy. It must be free, fair, and easily available to every citizen. Micah says “it IS citizenship”. Florida’s success passing Amendment 4, to re-enfranchise convicts who have paid their debt to society, is the most significant voter legislation since the 1965 Voter Rights Act – and it must be protected from partisan attempts in Tallahassee to undermine it.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE – Prison population has increased more that 1,000% in the US and racial discrimination is blatant. In Florida, 17% of the population is African-American; but 47% of the Florida prison population is African-American.

IMMIGRATION – Florida is a border state with a complex immigration history. It impacts both the economy and human rights, and separating families seeking asylum is a national disgrace. The ACLU has reunited 2,000 families in spite of this administration’s efforts to the contrary. Key West resident and American born, Peter Sean Brown, was illegally imprisoned by ICE and the Monroe County Sheriff for weeks when the ACLU stepped in and took his case to court. In Dade County alone, ICE has admitted illegally holding at least 420 innocent Americans!

Dr. Micah Kubic’s presentation was brilliant and charismatic. He and his state and national organization of 1.8 million are doing critically important work on our behalf. Joining and supporting one or more of these dedicated organizations doesn’t require much time or money, and it’s a great investment in our nation’s future.

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