civil liberties

Latest Articles

Freedom's Foot Soldier

Plus, Why Romney, Brown and Kerry are wrong
No one has labored with more love and assiduity to keep those liberties established by John Adams secure than John Reinstein, who has enjoyed a long and distinguished career as the top lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts.
By EDITORIAL | March 16, 2011

By | January 01, 0001

The world is watching

Don't want the government, big industry, and some 15 year old to know your secrets? You're shit out of luck.
And so far no one knows what to do about it.
By MIKE MILIARD | September 27, 2010

By | January 01, 0001

Time to end tolerance

Letters to the Portland Editor, December 11, 2009
I'd like you to think about something. Ever seen the bumper sticker: "Intolerance will not be tolerated"?
By PORTLAND PHOENIX LETTERS | December 09, 2009

Winning marriage in Maine

The campaign's past -- and its future
Three years ago, after winning non-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals, we began a journey to win protections for LGBT families. We knew our best chance for winning marriage was through the Legislature and that once we passed a bill, we would have to defend it at the polls.
By BETSY SMITH | August 04, 2009

Muzzle Awards: Collegiate Division

New England campuses muzzle free speech
In a 1957 Supreme Court decision upholding the free-speech rights of university professors ( Sweezy v. New Hampshire ), Justice Felix Frankfurter quoted prominent South African scholars on the importance of academic freedom.
By HARVEY SILVERGLATE | July 10, 2009

The 12th Annual Muzzle Awards

A look at the dishonorable enemies of free speech and personal liberty in New England.
With the era of repression and secrecy fostered by George W. Bush and Dick Cheney finally over, this should be the best of times for freedom of expression, open government, and civil liberties. Yet change comes slowly.
By DAN KENNEDY | July 10, 2009

Go back in time

Gay and lesbian Mainers revisit the last 25 years
Last weekend was Pride weekend here in Portland, and though rain made its own appearances occasionally, it didn't stop hundreds — even thousands — of people from, well, coming out and celebrating.
By PORTLAND PHOENIX STAFF | June 24, 2009

Under attack

Civil liberties' limits grow
Recent decisions by President Barack Obama and Maine Governor John Baldacci have dampened progressive hopes that the Republican-inspired war on civil liberties might be winding down.
By JEFF INGLIS | June 10, 2009

Speak no evil?

Why tightening up on anti-Obama speech is a bad idea
Anthony Lewis's free-speech credentials are impeccable: among other things, the former New York Times columnist is James Madison Visiting Professor of First Amendment Issues at Columbia University's Journalism School
By ADAM REILLY | January 14, 2009

Uh, race still matters, folks

Diverse city
In a few short days Barack Obama will go from being our first black president-elect to our first black president. Yes siree, the black guy is finally going to be in charge. We finally did it. Welcome to post-racial America!
By SHAY STEWART-BOULEY | January 07, 2009

The problem with liberals' dislike of Rick Warren

Uncivil Liberties
The need to be consistent in the defense of the rights of all in our country — even those whose views we may find abhorrent.
By MARY ANN SORRENTINO | December 23, 2008

Gay marriage debate comes to Maine

Civil rights
Even as same-sex marriage supporters across the country reel from the Election Day approval of California's Proposition 8 — which changed that state's constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman — they are optimistic about bringing gay marriage to Maine, possibly in the upcoming legislative session.
By DEIRDRE FULTON | December 17, 2008

Give thanks to those who fight for civil liberties

A quarter-century ago, Dan Donnelly, a friend and fellow plaintiff in an unsuccessful challenge of a religious holiday display on public property in Pawtucket, wondered who could possibly lead the local chapter of the ACLU in constitutionally challenged Rhode Island.
Rights + Reasons
By MARY ANN SORRENTINO | November 25, 2008

By | January 01, 0001

Hindsight

Rear Window is model for Hollywood’s latest trend, a fear-inspired peep-a-palooza
“I’m not much on rear-window ethics,” quips Grace Kelly in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 masterpiece.
By PETER KEOUGH | May 02, 2007