ACLU-MN Executive Director to Receive Honorary Law Degree

May 8, 2014 12:00 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jana Kooren, ACLU, 651-645-4097, ext. 123

(St. Paul, MN)—American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota (ACLU-MN) Executive Director, Charles E. Samuelson, will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Hamline University, St. Paul, MN, at its School of Law Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 23.

During Samuelson's 18-year tenure at the ACLU-MN, he initiated focus to ACLU-MN priorities by creating departments focusing on education, legislation, litigation, and development. Increasing the staff by three times, he led a reorganization of the ACLU-MN Board structure and implemented strategic best practice reforms relative to board term limits and board size. These changes ensured the vitality and viability of the organization and helped it become the stable and influential organization it is today.

In 2005 Samuelson established the Greater Minnesota Racial Justice Program office in Bemidji focusing on change and gross injustices faced by Native Americans in the criminal justice system. A second racial justice-focused office opened in Mankato in 2011 concentrating on immigrants in Southwestern Minnesota.

Under Samuelson's leadership, legislative victories include:

  • Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform
  • A bill rejecting Real ID

The ACLU-MN played key roles in two constitutional amendments "Vote No" campaigns in 2012.
Since 1996, the ACLU-MN has taken landmark cases in Minnesota setting precedence, shifting public awareness, and enforcing civil liberties. As the Executive Director, Samuelson oversaw both the selection and promotion of the following cases:

  • Doe v Venture (2001) - a lawsuit filed by ACLU-MN resulting in Minnesota's sodomy law being overturned;
  • ACLU v Kiffmeyer (2004) - The ACLU-MN successfully challenged a ruling prohibiting the use of tribal identification cards used for voter registration;
  • Berg v DEA (2007) – In this racial profiling case, the Drug Enforcement Agency paid out its first racial profiling settlement award ever and agreed to policy changes;
  • S.A.G.E. v Osseo School District (2007) – The ACLU-MN successfully challenged the Osseo School District over its discriminatory treatment of the student group Straights and Gays for Equality. The Federal court forced the school district to change its policy going forward.
  • ACLU v TIZA (2011) – In this church/state separation case, the ACLU-MN was able to discern entanglements between charter school Tarek Ibn Ziyad Academy and various Islamic groups. During the course of the case, the Legislature passed important charter school reforms leading to greater state oversight of charter schools. In a settlement agreement, the Minnesota Department of Education agreed to require additional documentation from schools and their sponsors.
  • R.S. v Minnewaska Area Schools (2014) – In the first Facebook student free speech case in the State, the ACLU-MN reached a settlement agreement with the district requiring the district to change its policy to better protect students' privacy rights.

Hamline University has awarded over 225 honorary doctorates since its first in 1884. Recipients have included Vice President Hubert Humphrey, peace activist Jehan Sadat, playwright August Wilson, children's advocate Marion Wright Edelman, environmental advocate France Moore Lappe, Vice President Walter Mondale, and U. S. Assistant Secretary of State Rozanne Ridgway, U. S. Representative William E. Frenzel, explorer Will Steger, and others.