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University Daily Kansan Thursday, Dec. 17, 1964
ACLU Organizes to Protect Civil Liberties for Kansans
Three Kansas chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) will from a Kansas affiliate to gain more political influence on the state-wide level.
Charles Landesman, chairman of the Lawrence ACLU chapter, said the affiliation would take place within a month or two.
THE NATIONAL organization is located in New York City with 35 affiliates throughout the country. Pref. Landesman explained. Within the affiliates there are sub-organizations called chapters.
The ACLU, whose purpose is to protect anyone whose civil rights or liberties have been violated, was formed after World War I. According to Landesman, associate professor of philosophy, the union was formed to protect the civil liberties of many people who were being attacked as a result of the "Red" scare.
In addition to the Lawrence chapter, another chapter was recently formed in Wichita. One will also be established in Topeka in a couple of months, Prof. Landesman said. He added it is the policy of the national organization to have large scale groups.
"It has become necessary to bring the three Kansas groups together and thus give them more political influence," he added.
According to Prof. Landesman, about 65,000 people are present in the union which is politically non-partisan.
THE UNION IS interested in helping to protect civil rights or civil liberties regardless of political viewpoint." Prof. Landesman said.
SUA Sponsors Reception Today
A free students reception will be sponsored by the Kansas Union and Student Union Activities in the lobby of the Union from 3-4 p.m. today.
Egg nog, coffee, and cookies will be served. All students are welcome.
"We've helped Communists, John Birchers, conservatives and liberals," he added.
The basic activity of the ACLU is in the courts. The union has about 1,000 cooperating attorneys which it can call on to defend in court people whose rights have been violated.
"Moreover, the ACLU drafts amicus curiae briefs (friend of the court briefs)," Prof. Landesman said. "These are supplementary briefs for the court."
IN ADDITION to supplying attorneys and briefs for court cases the
ACLU tries by persuasion and education to extend the civil rights and liberties on a national and local level.
The professor said the Lawrence chapter is also investigating problems of those people who are involuntarily committed to mental institutions. Also, religious practices in public schools are being investigated to see that they don't violate the First Amendment.
In the coming session of the legislature, Prof. Landesman said the union would be checking on the Fair Housing bill which will be introduced. This legislation is to prevent racial discrimination in the sale of homes.
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