The Minnesota Independent

American Civil Liberties Union - Latest Stories

Charter school accused of teaching Islam, ACLU reach settlement

By Andy Birkey | 10.04.11 | 7:27 am

The school, the Minnesota Department of Education and the ACLU reached a partial settlement in the case that requires charter schools to sign an annual statement declaring under penalty of law that the schools are not promoting religion.

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Groups gear up to oppose anti-gay marriage amendment

By Andy Birkey | 08.30.11 | 9:52 am

While Minnesota for Marriage gears up outreach to conservative churches and pastors and recruitment of “church captains” in effort to pass a constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage, Minnesotans United for All Families is doing the same with progressive people…

Civil liberties advocates question government-spying bill

By Paul Demko | 03.20.09 | 4:02 pm

Members of peace groups and labor unions expressed fear this morning over a proposed bill, sponsored by Rep. John Lesch (DFL-St. Paul), that would make it easier for law enforcement to secretly keep and and share information about citizens.

RNC aftermath: No charges from 323 arrests on final day

By Paul Demko | 02.20.09 | 4:11 pm

Charges will not be filed against 323 people who were arrested on the Marion Street and Cedar Street bridges during the fourth day of the Republican National Convention, the St. Paul city attorney’s office announced today. Local civil rights activists say the failure to press charges is the latest evidence that many RNC arrests were frivolous.

Lawsuit seeks to overturn St. Paul’s RNC protest policies

By Paul Demko | 05.09.08 | 11:00 am

On Sept. 1, thousands of protesters are expected to converge on St. Paul to mark the opening of the Republican National Convention. The ad-hoc plan is for demonstrators to gather at the State Capitol grounds around 11…