ACLU-VT presents “Protecting Civil Liberties”

Join us Thursday, June 26 in Manchester for a day-long conference June 26 for attorneys, private citizens, policy-makers, medical practitioners, town clerks, and others who want to explore the protection of individual rights.

The Constitution is not a self-enforcing document. How, then, are our individual liberties protected? Are our liberties today under new threats because of fears of terrorism or technological changes?

During the morning portion of “Protecting Civil Liberties” two ACLU-VT cooperating attorneys will describe their experiences building and bringing civil liberties litigation, from initial filings to appeals.

In the afternoon we’ll focus on how technology has changed the way information about us is kept, used, and made available to others. Are privacy rights eroding as technology offers irresistible conveniences? What protections does the state offer for information we are required to provide for government purposes? What legal protections are already in place, how well are they being implemented, and what further protections may be needed?

The conference will take place Thursday, June 26, 2008, at the Inn at Willow Pond, Route 7A North, in Manchester. Directions to the inn are below.

The conference is designed for a wide range of people, from attorneys to citizens, community leaders to policy-makers, and legislators to academics – in short, anyone with an interest in civil liberties and how they are protected.

Lawyers can earn four hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits by attending the conference.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

9:00a
Registration

9:30
Welcome -- Allen Gilbert, executive director, ACLU-VT

9:45
Student Free Speech -- Zachary Guiles was a Williamstown middle school student when he was suspended for wearing a T-shirt critical of the president. Were his First Amendment rights violated? Stephen Saltonstall, ACLU cooperating attorney

10:45
Warrantless Searches -- In 2004 Lake Champlain ferries began warrantless, suspicionless searches of vehicles. The searches were part of a national security program mandated by Congress. Were the searches legal under the Fourth Amendment? William Nelson, ACLU cooperating attorney

11:45
Break and Lunch

1:00p
Data Aggregation: A Threat to Civil Liberties? (panel discussion) -- We live in a world where massive amounts of information are collected, stored, searched, and distributed about all aspects of our lives. This panel discussion starts with an overview of data aggregation, and then probes two issues current in Vermont — e-medical records and tax prebate/rebate information. Is our privacy at risk?

Panelists to include :

• Rep. Rick Hube, legislator active in prebate/rebate issues.
• Dr. Cyrus Jordan, medical director of the Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care, Inc.
• Frederick Lane , attorney and blogger with a special interest in emerging technologies.
• Paula McCann, attorney with experience in health records and privacy.
• Oliver Olsen, an expert in customer relations management and information technology.
• Rep. Shap Smith, legislator active in prebate/rebate issues

3:00
Safe trip home

Register by printing, completing, and mailing the form below to our postal address (137 Elm St., Montpelier, VT 05602) with payment (make checks payable to "ACLUF-VT").

Registration Fee (includes coffee & lunch):

□ CLE Rate ($135) — Attorneys

□ CLE Rate ($110) — ACLU Member Attorneys
( If you’re not already a member, you may enclose a separate check for $20 payable to “ACLU-VT”)

□ Lay Person Rate ($40)

□ Lay Person Rate not including lunch ($15)

□ Students, Seniors, or Limited Income ($30)

□ Students, Seniors, or Limited Income not including lunch ($5)

Name: __________________________________

(Firm): ___________________________________

Address: ________________________________

________________________________________

Phone: __________________________________

E-Mail: __________________________________

Registration deadline: Thursday, June 19

Accessibility: The ACLUF is committed to making this program accessible to all individuals regardless of disability. Please let us know of any special needs.

Questions? Call the ACLU at (802) 223-6304, or e-mail us at info@acluvt.org.

Directions to the Inn at Willow Pond:

• From the south: Take Route 7 to exit 4; turn onto Routes 11/30 towards Manchester and go approximately 1.5 miles to the intersection with Route 7A (“malfunction junction”). Turn right. Travel 2.7 miles to the Inn at Willow Pond (on the left).
•  From the east: Follow Routes 11/30 into Manchester. At intersection with Route 7A (“malfunction junction”), turn right. Travel 2.7 miles to the Inn at Willow Pond (on the left).
•  From the north : Follow Route 7 south to East Dorset, where Route 7A splits to the right. Take Route 7A south for 2 miles to the Inn at Willow Pond (on right).
  
  

Click here for a copy of the conference brochure.