WISCONSIN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION 135 W. Wells Street Milwaukee, Wis. 53203 B-102a July 19, 1978 TO WCLU Board of Directors FROM: Eunice Edgar Executive Director's Report 1. Initial plans for the Bill of Rights dinner have been fairly well developed. Mark Russell was not available during December, but we have a firm commitment from him for January 6, 1979. Because all of the contributions to the ad booklet will be made by December - and hopefully most of the tickets sold--the contributions will still be a 1978 tax deductible item. The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee seems to be the most likely site for this event. 2. Daniel Schorr responded positively to our inquiry about a possible appearance in Madison in April. It is likely that he would require at least a $2,000 fee. We possibly could schedule him for both Madison and Milwaukee on consecutive days without a substantive increase in cost. However, despite the fact that I think Daniel Schorr might be a good draw and he is an excellent and interesting speaker, (I heard him at the ACLU Convocation in New York) I have serious reservations about the initial cost involving Schorr. We are therefore looking into other possibilities--Ramsey Clarke or Norman Dorsen. 3. We have settled into our new office and an Open House on July 11 brought many well wishers. Those of you who have not yet seen our new quarters--do drop by if and when you are near downtown Milwaukee. 4. Programs administered through the Jewish Vocational Service have provided us with a part-time high school student helping with clerical chores, a worker for the month of July who is arranging a membership card file according to State senate and assembly districts, and a temporary full-time lawyer who is assisting Ray with incoming complaints and legal research. I have submitted proposals to the Milwaukee County Prime Sponsor CETA Project for the following slots: Assistant Legislative Analyst - 9 months 9 months Assistant Legal Researcher Administrative Intern 12 months - 5. Two women's reproductive health issues at County General Hospital have received attention from WCLU. One involves OB/GYN services for minors requiring parental consent and the other involves requests for sterilization denied unless there is a serious health hazzard to the woman if she should become pregnant. We are awaiting responses to our inquiries at County Hospital--and monitoring the parental consent issue. I was able to get Dr. Holly, of the OB/GYN Department at Mount Sinai and Planned Parenthood, to send testimony regarding health risks to minors not receiving contraceptive attention, to the Milwaukee County Welfare Board. 6. I appeared on a two hour radio debate on ERA with a representative from the Eagle Forum. Same old story--same old scare tactics used by those opposing equal rights for women. 7. Sarah Lasker, Bob Lerner and I met to begin to re-evaluate the effectiveness of our committee structure. The legislative committee will be looking at alternative operating procedures, not only to make us a more effective force at the State Capitol--but also to give those interested enough to be on the legislative committee an opportunity to deal more directly with priority legislation rather than acting merely as a funnel for all bills. Suggestions for improvements are welcome. (more) --- Executive Director's Report 7-20-78 p.2 8. On July 5 I requested access to and an opportunity to photocopy the WCLU file from the Milwaukee Police Department. The reply I received from Chief Breier includes this paragraph: "Please be advised there will be an extended delay because of other requests that are still pending. As soon as we have completed these requeses for records made before yours, we will gather the records pertaining to your request. At that time each record will be reviewed to determine which records, in the best public interest, may be disclosed." A recent Court decision gives Breier 10 days to respond to initial requests - and 30 days to produce access to records. I suspect that Breier will not conform to that time frame but we will have to wait for August 5 to see just what he will do. At best I expect to see a lot of empty pages, but it should be interesting. 9. The Gay Community in Milwaukee is facing serious harassment problems with Chief Breier. All three Gay Health Clubs have been raided now. The first raid happened several months ago, involved no warrant, but did involve beatings and extensive damage to the property. The last two raids happened last weekend--no warrants,but undercover agents-- no beatings--no damage-- but 11 people arrested. Apparently the latest incidents seem not to have had the full backing of the D.A.'s Office because 10 of the charges were dismissed (not on their merits) and one person might be charged. 10. Also facing serious harassment is the Fox Valley Reproductive Health Clinic in Little Chute. Their windows were smashed and they are being stonewalled by the local window replacement business who refused to serve them. 11. Civil Libertarian Project: Two UWM professors, with the cooperation of ACLU, are conducting a survey of our members about their attitude toward Skokie as well as other issues. The information resulting from the survey should be helpful to our development effort--and at very little cost toACLU. ACLU is funding the mailings, but the University is paying all other expenses. A portion of each affiliate's membership will be surveyed. In addition they would like the affiliate board members to complete the questionnaire since it is important to know if the attitudes and other characteristics of the leadership are different or parallel to those of the membership. We have not as yet received the questionnaires for our board members, but we have procured a copy of the questionnaire and have had some copies made so that the Board can consider on July 22 whether or not WCLU wishes to cooperate in this effort. ---