***MEDIA RELEASE***
ACLU of Maryland Opens Field Office in Takoma Park,
Expands Capacity as State’s Constitutional Watchdog
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 8, 2010
CONTACT: Meredith Curtis, ACLU of Maryland, 410-889-8555; media@aclu-md.org
TAKOMA PARK, MD – On Thursday, July 8, the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland (ACLU-MD) officially opened a new field office in Takoma Park, MD, with an open house “meet & greet” featuring a “Taste of Takoma Park.” ACLU-MD’s legal and legislative programs have long been active in the metro area, and there are stalwart ACLU chapters in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. Now, ACLU-MD’s goal is to expand the organization’s outreach and advocacy to better advance civil liberties across the state. That is why ACLU-MD leaders are excited to involve new allies in our work making the promise of the Constitution and Bill of Rights a reality in the Free State.
“The ACLU of Maryland is thrilled to open our new Takoma Park field office, which will serve as a home base for our expanded advocacy and outreach in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, as well as counties in Southern Maryland,” said Sara N. Love, a resident of Bethesda and President of the ACLU of Maryland Board of Directors. “We are the Constitutional watchdogs. The ACLU’s most fundamental clients are the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and we will defend the principles enshrined in them anywhere violations occur.”
The open house event will feature a “Taste of Takoma Park,” with food and drink sponsors donating a taste of the local cuisine. Sponsors include Capital City Cheesecakes, Mark’s Kitchen, Middle Eastern Cuisine, Honest Teas, Woodmore Properties, and more. It will be held today from 5:30-7:30 PM at 6930 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park, MD.
“This year, the national ACLU turns 90 years old, so it is a great time to expand our ability to protect rights and educate the public,” said Susan Goering, Executive Director of the ACLU of Maryland. “During times of economic distress, there are often more violations of rights. But most fundamentally, we know that no battle for civil rights ever stays won, so we’re seizing the day by opening our new field office in Takoma Park.”
The mission of the Maryland ACLU is to ensure that all people in the state of Maryland are free to think and speak as they choose and can lead their lives free from discrimination and unwarranted government intrusion. We are guided in our work by the United States Bill of Rights and the Maryland Declaration of Rights. The Maryland ACLU acts without partisanship to achieve these goals.
Maryland residents from the area who would like to contact the ACLU of Maryland for assistance can call our Civil Rights Complaint line at (443) 524-2558.
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