Bill of Rights Celebration

ACLU Bill of Rights Celebration Focuses on Freedom and Equality

American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee's (ACLU-TN) Bill of Rights Celebration will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at the University Club in Nashville.

At this year's event, Nanci Griffith, legendary songwriter and performer, will join with ACLU-TN to celebrate the fundamental values of freedom and equality.

ACLU-TN's 2003 Bill of Rights Award will be presented to Bridge Refugee and Sponsorship Services, based in Knoxville, for their courageous challenge to the USA Patriot Act. Last July, National ACLU filed the first lawsuit challenging the PATRIOT Act, focusing on a provision that expands the power of the FBI to obtain records of innocent people in the United States, including citizens and permanent residents. Bridge is one of six national plaintiffs; the FBI had demanded the records of all their Iraqi clients.

In addition, the ACLU-TN 2003 Legislative Lights Award will be presented to Eileen Beehan and Chris Ferrell, former Metro Nashville councilpersons. They are being recognized for their bold sponsorship of an anti-discrimination ordinance which would have protected Nashvillians against discrimination based on sexual orientation.

According to Hedy Weinberg, ACLU-TN’s executive director, “Our event will celebrate the conviction and courage of our honorees, the guarantees of the Bill of Rights, and the work of the ACLU to ensure that in both times of tranquility and crisis our constitutional guarantees are protected.”

The silent auction includes autographed and inscribed books, art, and gift certificates. Authors featured include: Doris Lessing, Maya Angelou, Roy Blount, Jr., Horton Foote, Studs Turkel, Elie Wiesel, Walter Cronkite, John le Carre, Lee Smith, Susan Sontag, Billy Bob Thornton, and Alice Walker.

ACLU-TN is a private non-profit non-partisan membership organization whose goal is to protect and promote the individual freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. ACLU-TN’s mission is pursued through advocacy, public education, legislative lobbying, and litigation activities.

The Bill of Rights Celebration will begin at 7:00 p.m. with the silent auction. Dinner, Nanci Griffith's performance, and the awards presentation will follow.

Tickets are $75 per person. To reserve tickets, or for more information, contact ACLU-TN at 615-320-7142.