ACLU of Hawai‘i Announces Civil Liberties Symposiums

Honolulu – The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i (ACLU) will host free Civil Liberties Symposiums in Hilo and Honolulu. These workshop-style conversations will bring the community together to discuss effective resistance to government threats to civil rights in Hawai‘i and the nation around central workshop themes of immigration and mass incarceration.

Hilo: Saturday, October 7, 1-4 p.m. at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Campus Center 301.
This event is not affiliated with or sponsored by the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.

Honolulu: Saturday, October 28, noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Pikake Room.
The Honolulu event will feature a keynote speech by Hawai‘i Attorney General Douglas S. Chin and Dr. Ismail Elshikh, lead plaintiff in the case Hawaii v. Trump, challenging President Trumpʻs executive orders on immigration – which will be heard before the U.S. Supreme Court this Fall.

The civil liberties and civil rights that define our country and protect all of us are under unprecedented attack as the Trump administration attempts to carry out its unconstitutional campaign promises. Workshops for activists will offer the latest developments and discussion by ACLU of Hawai’i staff and special community guests on issues including:

• Smart Justice Hawai‘i: Hawaiiʻs toxically overcrowded jails and broken bail system harm us all, hereʻs how to fix it
• Aloha Without Borders: Defending immigrants and refugees against racist, religiously intolerant government policies
• (Hilo only) Dissent: Itʻs Your Right: Protecting free speech and the right to protest in an age of mass demonstration

Executive Director Vanessa Chong said: “The ACLU is presenting these statewide symposiums as a community service to spark critical conversations and broaden support for the emergence of all voices determined to protect Hawaii’s core values. The ACLU’s role is to keep the government honest in its protection of our fundamental freedoms. We want the community to learn how each person can be their own best advocate so the government will think twice about violating your rights. We promise a day of thought-provoking information and ways you can engage that can have a powerful effect on your life and your community. We are also excited that several key community leaders who have made a bold stand for Hawai‘i as a place of inclusion will be joining the conversation. These Symposiums are for everyone – free, public and open. We look forward to the conversation.”

All venues are ADA accessible. For RSVP deadlines, ticketing, and to request special accommodation, visit http://www.acluhawaii.org/, call (808)522-5906 or email office@acluhawaii.org, or mail to P.O. Box 3410 Honolulu, HI 96801.

The mission of the ACLU of Hawai‘i is to protect the civil liberties contained in the state and federal constitutions through litigation, legislative and public education programs statewide. The ACLU is funded primarily through private donations and offers its services at no cost to the public. The ACLU does not accept any government funds.