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2003 Press Releases

Press releases issued by ACLU-EM in 2003
Shielded from Dissent : For the second time in as many months, anti-war protesters in St. Louis were arrested when they showed up to greet President George W. Bush with signs critical of the President. During the President's visit to St. Louis today, one protester was arrested when he refused to be herded into an area designated for protest activity.
SLAPP Decision Upheld : The Missouri Court of Appeals today affirmed the dismissal of libel and conspiracy charges by Creve Coeur Mayor Annette Mandel against residents who aired grievances about the mayor's handling of appointments to a citizen's advisory committee.
Liberty Interest Upheld by Court : Striking an order to forcibly medicate a St. Louis dentist awaiting trial on fraud charges, the United States Supreme Court today affirmed that an individual has a significant liberty interest in avoiding the unwanted administration of antipsychotic drugs and set firm guidelines on when the government can drug a mentally ill pre-trial defendant against his will.
Sodomy Law Overturned : Saying that Texas' "Homosexual Conduct Law" "demeans the lives of homosexual persons, " the United States Supreme Court today struck the sodomy law in a case that has far-reaching implications for Missouri.
Protesting the President : The ACLU of Eastern Missouri will ask a Federal District Court Judge today to allow protesters to peacefully demonstrate outside of the St. Louis Convention Center where President George W. Bush will be speaking to American Legion conventioneers.
Protesters Will Be Heard : In response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri today, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri and the St. Louis City Counselor said that protesters seeking to demonstrate outside the St. Louis Convention Center during a visit by President George W. Bush will not be forced into "designated protest zones" as they had been during past presidential visits.
PATRIOT Act Forum : President Bush signed the USA PATRIOT Act into law on October 26, 2001 in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Activists across the political spectrum believe that portions of the Act constitute an unprecedented assault on civil liberties.