ACLU Happy Hour January 26, 2006

nozer

About the latest episode of Freedom Files: Dissent

Freedom of speech is a given in America, right? Not if you're a Muslim hip-hop poet Amir Sulaiman, who spoke his mind on national television then found the FBI on his doorstep. Or groups of protesters at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions who were relegated to "free speech" zones far from the politicians with whom they disagreed. The third episode of The ACLU Freedom Files TV series tells the stories of everyday Americans who were practicing their right to free speech and dissent only to be thwarted, harassed or arrested.

Marine and Gulf War veteran, Eric Shaw, fought for the freedoms we take for granted. But when he exercised his right to protest the current Iraq war he was shot with wooden pellets by the Oakland, Ca. Police. Willow Rosenthal was at the same protest. She came out of it with severe injuries and thousands of dollars in medical bills. Both continue to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder from the incident, which made national headlines.

Nicole and Jeff Rank got tickets to a presidential event in West Virginia. They stood in line, easily made it through security and then in an act of quiet protest revealed their anti-Bush t-shirts. Told to cover their shirts or leave, they refused and landed in jail.

Georgi Page dressed up in a homemade Hummer costume expecting to join a group of people protesting the war in Iraq. The sole protester, she was accosted by the media and arrested for obstructing traffic.

These are just a few of the stories you will hear, along with powerful arguments made by the attorneys who represented them.

Plus, you?ll hear comedian Lewis Black from Comedy Central?s The Daily Show give his take on the current state of dissent with his trademark wit and humor.