ACLU of Kansas in the News

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Jan 31, 2022

Kansas lawmakers rebrand complaints with public education in push for ‘school choice’

TOPEKA — Lawmakers in the Kansas House began laying the groundwork last week for redirecting taxpayer money from public to private schools by holding a two-hour hearing on complaints two parents have with...

TOPEKA — Lawmakers in the Kansas House began laying the groundwork last week for redirecting taxpayer money from public to private schools by holding a two-hour hearing on complaints two parents have with...

David Smith, right, spokesman for Shawnee Mission School District, and Mark McCormick, spokesman for ACLU of Kansas, appear Jan. 24, 2022, before the House K-12 Education Committee for a discussion on “critical pedagogy.” (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)
David Smith, right, spokesman for Shawnee Mission School District, and Mark McCormick, spokesman for ACLU of Kansas, appear Jan. 24, 2022, before the House K-12 Education Committee for a discussion on “critical pedagogy.” (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)
Jan 27, 2022

‘Degrading’: Advocates urge Kansas to end indiscriminate shackling of youth in court

Civil rights advocates are urging Kansas lawmakers to pass legislation that would prohibit shackling youth during court hearings unless a judge determines they must be restrained.

During a hearing...

Civil rights advocates are urging Kansas lawmakers to pass legislation that would prohibit shackling youth during court hearings unless a judge determines they must be restrained.

During a hearing...

Hands in handcuffs white background
Hands in handcuffs white background
Jan 25, 2022

Kansas committee considers bill to ban ‘humiliating’ practice of juvenile shackling

TOPEKA — Kansas legal leaders and juvenile justice advocates are backing a bill to end the use of restraints on a juvenile during court hearings, which they referred to as an unnecessary and humiliating...

TOPEKA — Kansas legal leaders and juvenile justice advocates are backing a bill to end the use of restraints on a juvenile during court hearings, which they referred to as an unnecessary and humiliating...

A bill in the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee, chaired by Rep. Stephen Owens, would ban the use of restraints for juvenile offenders in the court room. Supporters say the practice is unnecessary and humiliating in most cases. (Noah Tabrod
A bill in the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee, chaired by Rep. Stephen Owens, would ban the use of restraints for juvenile offenders in the court room. Supporters say the practice is unnecessary and humiliating in most cases. (Noah Tabrod
Jan 25, 2022

Law enforcement officers, legislators resist House bill banning no-knock warrants

TOPEKA — Advocates of Kansas House legislation imposing a prohibition on no-knock search warrants by law enforcement officers Monday triggered indignation and rebukes from legislators with professional...

TOPEKA — Advocates of Kansas House legislation imposing a prohibition on no-knock search warrants by law enforcement officers Monday triggered indignation and rebukes from legislators with professional...

Rep. Brett Fairchild, R-St. John, joined a bipartisan group of legislators endorsing a House bill banning no-knock search warrants of residences and adoption of a law requiring officers to be in uniform when serving the warrants. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Ref
Rep. Brett Fairchild, R-St. John, joined a bipartisan group of legislators endorsing a House bill banning no-knock search warrants of residences and adoption of a law requiring officers to be in uniform when serving the warrants. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Ref
Jan 24, 2022

Laws against gay sex were ruled unconstitutional long ago, but Kansas won't drop its ban

Sharon Brett, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, said outdated state laws are common, but anti-LGBTQ laws send a message to people that they aren’t welcomed in the state. “It’s...

Sharon Brett, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, said outdated state laws are common, but anti-LGBTQ laws send a message to people that they aren’t welcomed in the state. “It’s...

Women in rainbow light lgbt
Women in rainbow light lgbt
Jan 21, 2022

Witnesses throw water on Kansas House’s congressional map carving into 3rd District

“We ask committee leadership to rethink the course of their actions,” Mark McCormick, ACLU, said. “Slow down the process. Allow for a reasonable amount of time for public comment. Provide all information on...

“We ask committee leadership to rethink the course of their actions,” Mark McCormick, ACLU, said. “Slow down the process. Allow for a reasonable amount of time for public comment. Provide all information on...

Mark McCormick, ACLU, speaks at Kansas legislative redistricting hearing
Mark McCormick, ACLU, speaks at Kansas legislative redistricting hearing