RI ACLU Hosts Debate Tonight!

The Rhode Island ACLU will be hosting debates in three venues across the state – in Providence, Bristol and South Kingstown – on the timely subject of “National Security and Civil Liberties: Guantanamo, Military Commissions and the Obama Administration.” The debates will feature U.S. Attorney for the State of Rhode Island Robert Corrente and civil liberties attorney Jerry Elmer.



The debates are free and open to the public. The dates and locations for the debates are:



Tuesday, February 3 at 7 PM at the Old Statehouse in Providence, 150 Benefit Street;

Wednesday, February 18 at 7 PM at the Bristol Statehouse in Bristol, 240 High Street; and

Tuesday, March 3 at 7 PM the URI Memorial Union in South Kingstown.



These timely debates are being held as President Barack Obama issues a series of Presidential orders designed to close Guantanamo and change other policies affecting the country’s approach to the “war on terror.” Among other things, the debates will discuss what the role of the courts, the military and the new President should be in dealing with “enemy combatants” and the threat of terrorism generally.



The debates are part of a variety of activities being sponsored in 2009 by the RI ACLU to commemorate the organization’s 50th anniversary of protecting civil liberties in the state.



Megan Khatchadourian

Assistant to the Director

Rhode Island ACLU

128 Dorrance Street, Ste. 220

Providence, RI 02903

Tel: 401-831-7171

Fax: 401-831-7175


Please note: Jerry Elmer and I had the same social studies teacher although we are separated by many years. I am sad to note that I cannot recall this wonderful teacher's name. When I decided to move to Providence, my teacher said, oh be sure to look up Jerry Elmer. And I certainly did.

If the amount of snow is not prohibitive, I will be at rehearsal tonight and that's my reason for absence...hopefully Jerry will email me the name of this teacher, who incidentally looks like Pete Seeger. The last time I saw this teacher was at a protest of a planned nuclear power plant on Long Island...