ACLU Steps In To Defend Roger Shuler
Legal Schnauzer blogger Rober Shuler, who has been (pardon the pun) doggedly documenting allegations of corruption among Alabama’s Republican elite, was beaten and arrested by a gang of Shelby County, Alabama sheriff’s deputies on October 23rd for refusing a court order that Shuler claimed (and persuasively demonstrated) was illegally served and unconstitutional. He has been held without bond on two charges that reek of “trumped up to punish someone challenging the powerful.” This morning, we learn that the whistleblowing blogger has had an ally on board since late last week – the American Civil Liberties Union:
This is Carol, Roger’s wife. We have been heartened by the loud outcry of concerned citizens all over the world regarding Roger Shuler’s brutal beating and unlawful arrest on Oct. 23. People everywhere, including scores of media outlets, have stepped forward to help shine a spotlight on this outrageous display of police brutality, as well as, suppression of free speech and freedom of the press. Our civil liberties are under assault and people are saying, “Enough!” Thanks to this outpouring of effort by so many, the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama has graciously agreed to step in and lend their assistance by filing motions in Roger’s case. These motions were filed on Nov. 1. Below is an except from the ACLU email.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama intends to file a motion for leave to appear as amicus curiae in the above cases. Our memorandum will assert that the Court’s TRO and Preliminary Injunction run afoul of both the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article I, § 4, of the Alabama Constitution. In addition, we will assert that the sealing of the record in these cases unconstitutionally impinges upon the public’s right of access to judicial records and judicial proceedings. Our only interest is in the constitutional issues that are apparent in this litigation.
