JUNE 21, 2007 MEETING MINUTES
CBA BILL OF RIGHTS (soon to be ‘CIVIL RIGHTS’) COMMITTEE
LOCATION: CBA offices, Denver, CO
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chair: Mari Newman
Vice Chair: Sara Rich
Laura Schwartz – via conference call
Michael Levy – law student participant
Patty Jarzobski
Gordan Gamm
Melissa Monheim
Kate Jenkins – via conference call
Brad Abramson
OTHERS PRESENT:
CBA Personnel – Stacy Chesney
MEETING BEGINS: 7:35 am
- Approval of Minutes
- Proposed and approved amendments
- Laura Schwartz attempted to attend last months meeting by phone
- Brian Moore indicated his interest in becoming the BOR representative on the LPC
- Minutes approved with the previous two amendments
- Discussion regarding CLEs and other educational programs
- First Amendment Series re Democratic Convention
- Spy Files/Police Infiltration
- Mark Silverstein of the ACLU has agreed to provide the ACLU point of view
need to find counterpoint
- possibly police officer or city/county attorney – Tim Quinn will look into these as options – maybe Hardesty
- Laura Schwartz “googled” the counsel on the Spy Files cases and found out that Thomas Rice represented Denver in those cases
- possibly someone who thinks the PATRIOT Act is a good idea
- possibly a judge that presided over one of the cases – Melissa advises that they will not do this because it is an open issue that has the potential of being re-litigated
- Gordan Gamm mentioned that Shapiro has given presentations regarding things that have happened in society and why in terms of security v. liberty
- Possibly Bob Nagel – professor at CU – Michael Levy thinks he may be more suited for the Free Speech issue as opposed to Spy Files
- Free speech Zones
- Can probably find people for these topics pretty easily – Mari called the opposing counsel on the case and is waiting for them to get back to her
- Timing of CLEs
- Earliest is possibly in the fall b/c BOR committee is co-sponsoring in September with ACS as well as the Lindh speaking event – we do not want to overload during the end of the year
- Discussion as to having the First Amendment series begin in 2008 – more interest during the same year as the convention – really busy with other two programs
- Need to prepare at the end of this year because the legislative session will be so busy during the first few months of the session in 2008
- Discussion as to next months meeting being cancelled – moved and seconded – passed
- Next meeting will be in August
- Co-Sponsorship of September 19, 2007 presentation on Citizenship-150 years after the Dred Scott Decision with American Constitutional Society
- Gordan Gamm wanted to re-visit the idea of planning a CLE or panel presentation on the philosophical underpinnings of the civil liberties
- Possibly using philosophical writings from that time
- Problem with the erosion of civil liberties is that people do not understand where they come from and why
- Tim Quinn feels that the historical aspect could be addressed within each of the more specific CLE’s – Sara Rich agrees that, while this is a good idea and worthwhile topic it may too generalized and we could be biting off more than we as a committee can chew along with the other CLEs we have been discussing
- Other ideas
- “whether torture works”
- Due process and why it is important
- This topic is interesting but needs to be postponed for purposes of keeping meetings to an hour
- Great idea for a Law Day presentation which is May 1, 2008
- Gordan Gamm and Brad Abramson have agreed to be on a sub-committee to organize this CLE
- Co-sponsorship opportunity for speaking event with Frank Lindh, father of John Walker Lindh (the "American Taliban")
- Frank Lindh will waive the speaking fees
- Co-sponsor with the ACLU and other organizations including student organizations from the law schools
- Will speak at several events while in town including lunch at law school
- Some concern on the board regarding the $$$ - idea offered that we would publicize through the CBA instead of $$$ to help advertise the event
- Committee agreed to co-sponsor the event w/out providing any funding but publicizing through the CBA for advertisement
- This is a link to a webcast of a presentation given by Frank Lindh in London, sponsored by Cageprisoners
- Tim Quinn handed out some other options for CLE’s – we understand that we have a lot on our plate but this is something to keep in mind for the future (attached hereto as addendum to minutes)
- Melissa said that ACS is currently looking at the 2nd amendment issue that was put forward by Tim Quinn
- Organizational issues
- Budget – question was posed as to what our budget is and how can the committee get more money if necessary
- Committees don’t have a set budget and if we want to get more money then we have to go through certain procedures
- Follow up on discussion re making legislative review more relevant
- To have someone appointed to the LPC we need to speak with the CBA president – maybe talk to Liz Starrs now then to the incoming president, David Lytle
- The committee agreed to revisit the issue of when the best time for meetings are and will advertise again through email
- Next meeting is August 15, 2008 at 7:30 at the CBA offices
- Gordan Gamm put forward idea to have a social event where the members get together for drinks
- Sara Rich volunteered to attempt to find a location for everyone to meet after work sometime
- Maybe in August
