The present structure of the Lancaster Chapter was established in the early 1980s, with the creation of an executive committee (now called the board of directors), by-laws, monthly meetings, as well as annual meetings open to all ACLU members and the public at which invited speakers speak on current civil liberties issues. A screening committee also was created in the early 1980s. Citizens of Lancaster County could call a member of the committee if they believed that their civil liberties had been infringed. If the complaint was deemed valid it would be referred to a volunteer attorney who would determine whether the complaint had merit. Otherwise the complainant would be directed to public or private agencies that might be able to offer assistance. Almost all the early cases undertaken by the chapter involved the widespread practice of public school use of Christian scriptures, prayers, and holidays in violation of the First Amendment. The Lancaster Chapter acting autonomously, with legal muscle provided by volunteer local attorneys, won most of these cases, simply by threatening legal action. Over the years, several calls to the Screening Committee resulted in significant victories for civil liberties, e.g. revocation of local anti-loitering laws. Alongside its legal involvement, the chapter initiated or participated in a number of educational activities. For example, the chapter sponsored a Bill of Rights essay contest for ten years that was open to all students at public and private Lancaster County high schools. The chapter also co-sponsored a very successful debate on capital punishment with Franklin and Marshall College. Several times the chapter held a number of forums on censorship of the arts and books, and discrimination against gays and immigrants. The ever present threats to civil liberties will require that the chapter be as vigilant and active in the future as it has been in the past.
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