Bill of Rights Art and Esssay Contest

The Monterey County Chapter of the ACLU conducts an Annual Bill of Rights Art and Essay Contest, which is a judged contest inviting the county's middle and high school students to represent their viewpoints on relevant contemporary civil rights issues through artwork or essays.

The contest chair, in cooperation with the chair of the chapter legal committee, develops classroom packets. The packets define the topic specifically and contain cogent, objective information or education on the topic, pro and con arguments, and legal precedents. These materials are disseminated through county schools or programs, principally to Art, Civics/Government, and English classes.

Winners of the contest are presented with their prizes and works of art are exhibited at the January ACLU Annual Membership Meeting at the Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific Street, Monterey. Copies of the first prize essays are available at the meeting.

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CONTEST TOPICS

• 2007 - Warrantless Wiretaps: Does Government access to telephone calls and emails without a warrant violate the Constitution?
   
• 2006 - Should we stop the death penalty?
   
• 2005 - Should the Constitution be amended so that Congress can ban flag desecration?
   
• 2004 - Does reciting "under God" on the Pledge of Allegiance at school violate the Constitution?
   
• 2003 - Should the Government stop collection and using information on you, such as color, ethnicity, or national origin?
   
• 2002 - Should students be required to pass a drug test before joining in student activities?
   
• 2001 - Should we sacrifice our Constitutional Rights in the fight against terrorism?  And should we stop the death penalty?
   
• 2000 - School Vouchers:  Do they violate the constitution?
   
• 1999 - Justice for Juveniles:  Should minor accused of crimes be treated like adults?
   
• 1998 - Single Gender Schools:  Do they violate students' rights?
   
• 1997 - Freedom on the Internet:  Can the government control on-line speech and privacy?
   
• 1996 - Dog Sniff Searches in Schools: Do they violate students' rights?
   
• 1995 - Affirmative Action:  Equal opportunity or unfair preference?
   
• 1994 - "Three Strikes, You're Out" For repeat offenders:  Is it fair or foul?
   
• 1993 - Should undocumented immigrant children be entitled to attend free public schools in California?
   
• 1992 - Free Expression:  Should public schools have the right to impose gang-related dress codes on all students?
   
• 1991 - Free Speech:  Should the government restrict the speech of those who receive government funds?
   
• 1990 - Drug Testing at School:  Does mandatory testing violate students' rights?
   
• 1989 - Flag Burning:  Should the First Amendment protect symbolic acts?
   
• 1988 - Censorship of student publications and the First Amendment
   
• 1987 - "We the people..."
   
• 1986 - The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment:  An American tradition.