Lawrence organizations, community members gear up for summer of advocacy

Alina Matejkowski operates the ACLU of Kansas’ social media platforms as the digital communications specialist. She discussed a new legal reform work and immigration advocacy folks can lend help to. She said the organization also serves as a resource.

tabling

Several Lawrence groups to gather for event focused on community advocacy, action

Some of the more than 15 organizations anticipated to be present include Lawrence Tenants, Lawrence Sanctuary Alliance, Lawrence NAACP, PFLAG, Food Not Bombs and the ACLU of Kansas, Donnavan Dillon, Lawrence/Topeka organizer for Loud Light, said via email.

Event

Kansans can't yet change gender markers on driver's licenses, despite recent court ruling

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas said in a statement that the appeals court's decision is clear in upholding transgender Kansans' rights, but that decision isn't in effect until a mandate is issued.

Kobach

Kansas attorney general blocked from denying gender changes on driver’s licenses

The ACLU of Kansas, the ACLU and Stinson LLP intervened in the case on behalf of five transgender Kansans who claim to have been harmed by Kobach’s effort to ban and reverse changes to the gender markers on their driver’s licenses.

Kobach

Kansas appeals court ruling restores ability to change gender markers on driver’s licenses

A three-judge appeals court panel on Friday cleared the way for Kansans to resume changing their gender markers on driver’s licenses, rejecting arguments made by Attorney General Kris Kobach and overturning a lower court ruling.

trans rights

Trans Kansans win court ruling to change the gender on their IDs

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas called the ruling a victory for transgender Kansans. The legal organization had intervened in the case on behalf of five transgender Kansans, arguing Kobach’s lawsuit and the court’s injunction violated their constitutional rights.

trans rights

‘Some cry all day.’ ICE detainees face harsh conditions in Miami federal facility

Eunice Cho, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union’s Prison Project, said a Kansas prison faces similar conditions and added third bunks on beds to fit more immigrant detainees. While ICE data shows an average of 26 migrants, she said it’s closer to 80.

detention facility

Immigrants detained in Leavenworth federal prison live in squalor without sunlight, letters claim

“Holding people in extended lockdown, and denying them access to adequate medical care, legal counsel, and even sunlight isn’t just inhumane,” Cho said. “It’s illegal.”

Leavenworth

Judge blocks private prison operator from housing ICE detainees at shuttered Kansas center

A judge on Wednesday barred a major U.S. private prison operator from housing immigrants facing possible deportation in a shuttered Kansas City area detention center unless it can get a permit from frustrated city officials.

Leavenworth