ACLU Continues Campaign to End Unlawful Government Spying on Americans
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: media@aclu.org
ACLU Provides Highlights of Key Dates in Upcoming Cases
NEW YORK - The American Civil Liberties Union continues its campaign to end illegal wiretapping by the National Security Agency. Below are a series of updates on pending cases and related actions:
- Harvey Grossman, Legal Director of the ACLU of Illinois, along with EFF attorneys, has been appointed co-lead coordinating counsel for all the cases that have been consolidated in California and co-class counsel for all of the cases against AT&T
- As noted above, Harvey Grossman, Legal Director of the ACLU of Illinois, along with EFF attorneys, has been appointed co-lead coordinating counsel for all the cases that have been consolidated in California and co-class counsel for all of the cases against AT&T.
- In Maine, Connecticut, Vermont, and Missouri the government filed federal lawsuits to prevent PUCs, at the ACLU's urging, from investigating the program. The government also filed a separate lawsuit in New Jersey to stop subpoenas about the program. The phone companies have moved to consolidate and transfer the cases to California. At a hearing in Florida before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation scheduled for January 25, the Maine affiliate will argue that the cases should remain independent.
- The ACLU continues to pursue PUC complaints in numerous other states with the intent that they will initiate further investigations as more information about the illegal program comes to light through Congressional hearings
Key Upcoming Dates
January 25 - Before the Multidistrict Litigation Panel, the Maine affiliate of the ACLU will argue that its lawsuit against the state Public Utility Commission should be heard in Maine, and not transferred and consolidated with other lawsuits against the phone companies. Also on the docket for that day are the transfer motions for lawsuits pending in Connecticut, Vermont, Missouri and New Jersey.
The hearing will be at the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, 301 North Miami Avenue, Miami, FL at 9:30 a.m.
January 31 - The ACLU will urge the 6th Circuit of Appeals to reject the government’s attempt to overturn a lower court’s decision holding the National Security Agency’s warrantless wiretapping program illegal. Five ”friend-of-the-court” briefs in support o the ruling have been filed on behalf of Bar Associations, constitutional scholars, civil rights groups, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and jointly on behalf of the Center for National Security Studies and the Constitution Project. More information is available at: www.aclu.org/nsaspying.
The hearing will be at 100 East Fifth Street, 540 Potter Stewart U.S. Courthouse, Cincinnati, OH at 3:00 p.m.
In addition, materials from a news conference today that addressed Congressional oversight on civil liberties are available online at: www.aclu.org/safefree/general/27889prs20070109.html.
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