ACLU Hawaii Banner
Grassroots Celebration Showcases ACLU of Hawaii's 45th Anniversary 
December 18, 2009

Anthony Romero, national ACLU executive director to keynote and present awards to local advocates

Visit the official event & 45th anniversary webpage: <
http://www.acluhawaii.org/45>


Honolulu, Hawaii: The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii (ACLU) presents a grassroots celebration in honor of its 45th anniversary in Hawaii protecting the civil liberties guaranteed in the Hawaii and United States Constitutions.    

The Grassroots Celebration is set for Saturday, February 20, 2010 at the Blaisdell Center Hawaii Suites. The celebration consists of a free, public  "Freedom Fair" from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, followed by an awards luncheon ($45 per person) from noon to 2 p.m.    

ACLU of Hawaii 45th Anniversary Committee Chair Paula Myers said: "The ACLU celebrates our 45th with gratitude to our amazing 'ohana, and a focus on ever-increasing our local advocacy going forward. We are thrilled to welcome Anthony Romero and excited about the Freedom Fair - new this year - which will mix  performers, banned books readings, music and art alongside diverse community groups who support the Bill of Rights in a free, public showcase of the First Amendment in action!"  
 



The Awards Luncheon begins promptly at noon with a keynote speech by national ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero, followed by awards to outstanding civil libertarians.   
ACLU of Hawaii Executive Director Vanessa Chong said: "There are advocates for constitutional freedoms in Hawaii doing great work everyday. This milestone allows us to spotlight their efforts. Being an island community requires greater vigilance in protecting individual rights, as those most likely to be targeted by the government often have the least resources to move easily to another state."  

Honorees this year are:    
• The Allen F. Saunders Civil Libertarian Award - named for the founder of the local ACLU - will be presented to attorney Edmund Burke for his pro bono work representing a detainee held at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.  

• The Harriet Bouslog Loio Ku Kahi Award for outstanding lawyers - named for  the legendary labor and civil rights attorney - will be presented to the law firm of Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing for its work alongside the ACLU on numerous cases on behalf of some of most vulnerable communities.

• The Pila Aloha Award - for exceptional volunteers who are ACLU's grassroots foundation -  will be presented to Chuck Carletta and Mele Stokesberry of Maui for community organizing.

• NEW! Added 1/25/2010: The Guardians of Liberty and Justice Youth Award - for youth up to the age of 21 who have shown bravery and leadership on issue(s) of constitutional importance - will be presented to Micah Inoue of Hawaii Island for his work promoting diversity and securing the rights of LGBT youth in the University of Hawaii system.

Since Romero had led the national ACLU in 2001, there have been court victories on the Patriot Act, landmark litigation on the torture and abuse of detainees and the first successful challenge to the NSA spying program. In addition to national security work, Romero has ramped up civil liberties advocacy in many other areas including racial justice, religious freedom, privacy, reproductive freedom and lesbian and gay rights.  

Seating is limited, RSVPs are requested by 2/10/10.  
RSVPs can be made by downloading and mailing or faxing the RSVP form (104KB .pdf). calling (808)522-5906 (toll-free from the neighbor islands: 1-877-544-5906), via email <office@acluhawaii.org>, or through the website at <http://www.acluhawaii.org/45>.  

Requests for special accommodation should be received no later than 2/1/10. The Blaisdell Center is ADA-accessible.    

The mission of the ACLU of Hawaii is to protect the civil liberties contained in the Hawaii and United States. Constitutions through litigation, legislative and public education programs statewide. The ACLU is funded primarily through private donations and offers its services at no cost to the public. The ACLU does not accept any government funds.  



© ACLU of Hawaii, P.O. Box 3410 Honolulu, HI 96801
Ph.: (808)522-5900   Fax: (808)522-5909   Email: office@acluhawaii.org
This is the web site of the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii and the ACLU of Hawaii Foundation.
Learn more about the distinction between these two components of the ACLU.
Privacy Policy.
Navigate:
Aclu Hawai'i
Aclu Hawai'i












Monthly news and updates

Join Our Mailing List
We'll never spam or give this address away