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This is our space for further information about upcoming ACLU of Mississippi events. 

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ACLU of Mississippi Recognizes National Condom Week 2008

Says without access to safe, medically-accurate information on condoms, sexually active persons are more likely not to use condoms when experimenting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              Contact: Nsombi Lambright,

February 11, 2008                                          ACLU of Mississippi 601-355-6464

                                                                  Shawna Davie 601-540-5540

JACKSON, MS -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi this week will recognize National Condom Week 2008. 

“As we get closer to Valentines Day its good to remind people of how important and critical having accurate information and access to condoms truly is,” said Nsombi Lambright, Executive Director, ACLU of Mississippi.

Although the state received $5,971,147 in federal funds for abstinence only until marriage programs in 2006, the state’s syphilis cases tripled in 2007 and teen pregnancy remained at a standstill in the state.  According to the American Social Health Organization each year there are about 19 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections.  Half of these infections occur in youth ages 15-24. 

“We want young people to postpone sexual involvement until they’re physically and emotionally ready and hopefully in loving stable relationships with the financial support necessary to care for a child” said Lambright.  Studies show that nearly half of all teens have had sex by the time they leave high school and the average age of newlyweds is 29 in America. “The reality for most young people in Mississippi in both urban and rural areas is a lack of after-school programs to attend or even movie theaters to pass the time.” 

Research shows that young people need access to medically accurate information on sexually transmitted diseases, condoms and how to protect themselves for the rest of their lives.  Giving teens information on STDs and condoms does not encourage sex, rather it helps teens understand how serious sex is and promotes sexual health and responsibility.

Current legislation would require students to receive parental consent before being allowed to get condoms or birth control from health clinics, endangering all young people in the state under 15.

For more information on reproductive rights in Mississippi visit http://www.msaclu.org/

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1/9/07:

Leave no Mississippian Behind -by Nsombi Lambright, Executive Director

The ACLU supports the work of the Mississippi Delta Catalyst Roundtable for full funding of the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP).  Fully funding education should be a no-brainer.  Students have to have the resources to compete effectively in today’s technologically-advanced society. 

As a 1990 graduate of the Jackson Public School (JPS) District, I experienced the benefit of a quality education.  Although the district didn’t have adequate resources, there was very little high stakes testing, therefore, teachers had the ability to engage students in creative learning activities that included field trips and reading outside of the curriculum.  As a parent of a JPS student, it’s painful to observe him struggling to meet rigid accountability standards through high stakes testing, while experiencing fewer resources to help him to meet these standards.

The Mississippi Delta Catalyst Roundtable is a coalition of active parents, students and community stakeholders working to support good Mississippi schools.  Let’s take these petitions seriously and end the institutional undervaluing of parents and students.  Parents and students do care about education!  They do want to participate in the educational system!  Let’s allow that to happen. 

Fully fund education and stop leaving Mississippi behind!! 

Education is a human right.  Article 26 of the Declaration of Human Rights states,  “Everyone has the right to education.  Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages.  Elementary education shall be compulsory.”

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2/13/07:

ACLU OUTRAGED IN THE IRRESPONSIBLE ACTION OF MISSISSIPPI SENATE

Jackson, MS--  The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of MS is outraged by the recent vote of the Mississippi State Senate to ban abortions in the state. 

Senate Bill 2795 makes abortions illegal in the state of Mississippi with the exception of cases of rape, incest or a serious health condition that threatens the life of the mother.  However, incidents of rape or incest have to be reported and there may be special medical conditions that do not immediately put a women’s life at danger, but do place serious health risks on the mother and child.  Women who are raped and don’t report it or women who are not at risk of immediate death as a result of the pregnancy would not be able to have an abortion.

Not only does a ban on abortion threaten women’s health and lives, it is unconstitutional and will be challenged in court.  Under current Supreme Court precedent, a ban on abortion will be struck down.

“The State of Mississippi can not afford a legal challenge of this magnitude, and it was very irresponsible of our lawmakers to pass this unconstitutional and dangerous bill,”, said Nsombi Lambright, Executive Director of the ACLU of MS.

We should not be focusing our efforts on banning abortion, but on ensuring that women have access to the full range of reproductive health services, including contraception, medically accurate sexuality education, and abortion.

The decision of whether or not to have a child is among the most fundamental and private decisions a person can make.  When government interferes with this decision we have lost the very foundation of our humanity and our rights as Americans.

The ACLU of MS will continue its work to protect a women’s right to access reproductive health care through the MS Reproductive Freedom Coalition, a group of organizations and activists, fighting to ensure that individuals have access to reproductive health care, including comprehensive sex education, contraception and abortion.

We call on lawmakers in the House to recognize that this legislation threatens women’s health and lives, and to vote against SB 2795.

Contact information for other Pro-Choice Advocates:

Michelle Colon, President, Jackson area NOW (National Organization for Women) 601- 454-0984

2/15/07:ACLU Continues To Call For Accountability Within Our City Government

The ACLU is urging Judge Tommie Green to hold a revocation hearing to review the possible probation violations of Jackson Mayor Frank Melton.  Mayor Melton seemingly continues to violate the terms of his probation and is not being held accountable by the judicial system.

The Hinds County Justice system should not set different standards for elected officials who violate the law.  There are hundreds of ordinary citizens in Mississippi jails due to probation/parole violations, who do not get a second chance.  To establish different standards because of status is not fair and contrary to the principle that no one is above the law.  Mayor Melton should be held accountable.

This on-going acceptance of Mayor Melton’s disregard for the law sets a terrible example for young people and adults who have been in trouble with the law.  One of the purposes of probation and parole is to deter persons who have committed offenses from engaging in the behavior that led them to commit the offense in the first place.  Yet, Mayor Melton continues to engage in the same tactics that led to his arrest and ultimately, his conviction on gun charges.

The ACLU is urging Judge Green to treat Mayor Melton like any other citizen by holding a revocation hearing to assess his probation violations.  We’re also urging Chief Shirlene Anderson to assert control of the Jackson Police Department by prohibiting civilian engagement in dangerous police work.

Mayor Melton should let the Jackson Police Department handle law enforcement work.  If JPD doesn’t have the tools, skills or resources to do their jobs effectively, the citizens of Jackson should know about it so that we can advocate for better pay and more training.

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May 31, 2007 - Town Hall Meeting - Good Deeds Center, Gulfport, MS @ 6pm

The purpose of the Town Hall tour is to hear the collective concerns of the host communities, to document stories of government misconduct, and to help communities establish restorative justice projects (such as neighborhood watches and better police oversight) in their neighborhoods. May 31st's meeting is focused on Racial Profiling and Prison Abuse.  (more info coming soon!)

Come out, have your voices heard and be part of Mississippi history in the making. The Town Hall tour is scheduled from April - Fall 2007.

Click the Graphic below to download a copy of the event's flyer!

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June 19, 2007 - Town Hall Meeting - Propst Park's Community Hut,

Columbus, MS @ 6pm

More info coming soon!

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July 2, 2007 - Voter Registration Day - Location TBA

July 20, 2007 - 2nd Annual Freedom Party - 930 Blues Cafe @ 6pm

On behalf of the Staff, Members, and Friends of the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi, we are proud to announce plans for our Annual Meeting.  Our 2^nd Annual Freedom Party is Friday, July 20^th, 2007 from 6:00pm - 10:00pm. Activities include speakers, food, live music and fun.  This event will be 930 Blues Café, located at 930 Congress Street in Jackson, MS.  Last year’s Extravaganza pulled in nearly 200 participants, vendors, donors and partners in what proved to be a very lively and festive summer atmosphere.  This year we intend to make the Freedom Extravaganza bigger and better than before through more diverse entertainment, more vendors and more exposure of the event.

Click below for a look at the flyer, to get more event information & vendor/artist application go to http://freedomparty.msaclu.org