Stories from the ACLU of Washington

Day 2 of Witt v. Air Force started with testimony from Darren Manzella, who served in the Army for six years as a health care specialist after enlisting in 2002 and was twice deployed to the Middle East. His testimony focused on the need for honesty about oneself in building a team, saying “In the military, trust is essential.” Read more

After opening statements, Jim Schaffer, current Spokane Fire Department Captain and former 446th unit member, began his testimony. Before retiring from the Air Force in 2006, he and Major Witt served on the same flight crew on a number of missions and were deployed together a number of times. Schaffer spoke about Mjr. Witt’s stellar career and told stories of how her calm, cool, and collected nature, plus with her ability to include all team members, help their team succeed and save lives. He told of a particular occasion where a Dept. of Defense civilian went into cardiac arrest while aboard a plane, and Maj. Witt’s ability to accurately assess the situation made sure that the person survived. Read more

The ACLU of Washington is privileged to have hundreds of dedicated volunteers help us out every year.  Indeed, the ACLU relies on individuals who care passionately about civil liberties and are committed to doing something to make sure the Bill of Rights is more than just a piece of paper.  We couldn’t do our work of defending and extending liberty without their efforts! Volunteers work with the ACLU for many different reasons and in many different ways.  Volunteers help with our public events in the community and provide information at our tables. In our office, they help with mailings, answer phones and greet people at our front desk, and – with special training – answer our legal intake lines.  Without these individuals, the ACLU of WA could not have the reach and scope that it does. Read more

Do you think Arizona, with its “papers please” law, is the only state where law enforcement officials are approaching travelers and asking about their citizenship? Think again. Federal immigration officials are asserting the authority to ask individuals about their citizenship far away from any border crossing or port. And they regularly question people as far as 100 miles away from any border. Nine of the most populous U.S. cities and two-thirds of our nation’s population reside within this “Constitution-free zone.” Read more

  With the end of August came the finale of national Hispanic Heritage Month. To celebrate, the Hispanic Business and Professional Association of Spokane sponsored a daylong festival. Amid the music, dancing, and delicious food was an ACLU-WA booth – part of the effort by our activists around the state to speak with people in-person and help them understand their rights. Staffing the booth were students from the ACLU-WA’s Gonzaga University Law School Club, bringing their knowledge about civil liberties into the community.  “The students took the opportunity to inform the Latino community about the ACLU-WA’s work and offer educational resources,” said ACLU-WA Field Director Liezl Tomas Rebugio.  “In particular, they wanted to talk about rights with law enforcement, immigrant rights, and how to protect personal privacy.”  As fall approaches, ACLU-WA student clubs at colleges and universities are gearing up for action. We currently have clubs on campus at Whitman College in Walla Walla, the University of Washington in Seattle, UW in Tacoma, Western Washington U. in Bellingham, and the law schools at Gonzaga, and Seattle University. There’s also a club at Seattle’s Garfield High. Participating in a club is a great way to learn more about – and be an activist for – civil liberties, meet other students, and just plain have fun. Get involved on your campus!