Jan 20, 2015: Jackson Free Press: Brandon Gay-Straight Protest Planned Today
Officials with the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi agree. In a letter to Weathersby, the group's legal director Charles Irvin writes: "School officials should not silence these student-initiated debates and discussions, as long as they do not involve targeted harassment of an individual student or group of students. Silencing ideas in a non-curricular setting because some people don't like them is not only incompatible with the educational values of open inquiry and wide-ranging debate that are central to our free political system—it is against the law."
Officials with the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi agree. In a letter to Weathersby, the group's legal director Charles Irvin writes: "School officials should not silence these student-initiated debates and discussions, as long as they do not involve targeted harassment of an individual student or group of students. Silencing ideas in a non-curricular setting because some people don't like them is not only incompatible with the educational values of open inquiry and wide-ranging debate that are central to our free political system—it is against the law."
Sept 29, 2014: Clarion Ledger: ACLU-MS wants police photo/video policies examined
ACLU of Mississippi Legal Director Charles Irvin said that taking photographs or videos of police work that is plainly visible from public spaces is a constitutional right.
ACLU of Mississippi Legal Director Charles Irvin said that taking photographs or videos of police work that is plainly visible from public spaces is a constitutional right.
June 26, 2014: Mississippi Business Journal: MDHS postpones implementation of new TANF law; awaits hearing
“We have taken the position that all provisions within this new law must be well defined. If not, the economic harm and family sanctions would be exponential and the livelihood of TANF recipients would be left to chance,” said Charles Irvin, legal director of the ACLU of Mississippi. “The public has the right to engage in the functions of government in order to create a more perfect union and any opportunity to ease the burden on our most at risk citizens must be advanced.”
“We have taken the position that all provisions within this new law must be well defined. If not, the economic harm and family sanctions would be exponential and the livelihood of TANF recipients would be left to chance,” said Charles Irvin, legal director of the ACLU of Mississippi. “The public has the right to engage in the functions of government in order to create a more perfect union and any opportunity to ease the burden on our most at risk citizens must be advanced.”
Charles Irvin is a native of Columbia, Mississippi and a graduate of Jackson State University. From there he went on to graduate from the Loyola University New Orleans School of Law. He started his legal career in Columbia; first as a solo practitioner and then at the Marion County Public Defender’s office. With 15 years in various governmental capacities, including the Columbia Board of Alderman, Deputy City Attorney for the City of Jackson (representing JPD), United States Department of Justice (Southern District of Mississippi Assistant US Attorney), and State of Mississippi (Office of the Attorney General (representing MDOC), Charles has a keen understanding of policy and operations. And many years of complex litigation at the state and federal levels.
In 2005 Charles earned his Doctor of Philosophy in the Administration of Justice, researching the Perceptions of Plea Bargaining in Mississippi. Armed with the knowledge and years of experience litigating, Charles began teaching graduate and undergraduate criminal justice courses; focusing on corrections, policy, legal process and constitutional law. In 2006 Charles helped organize the Jackson Crime Summit, in conjunction with the City of Jackson, Jackson State University, USDOJ and the community, to focus on the level of crime, and ways to increase active partnerships in combatting crime in the communities of Jackson.
Charles is a founding member of the non-profit, Building Professionals Group (BPG), which focuses on mentoring and exposing the youth of the rural Southeastern United States to the merits and urgency of education. Charles is also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
In 2005 Charles earned his Doctor of Philosophy in the Administration of Justice, researching the Perceptions of Plea Bargaining in Mississippi. Armed with the knowledge and years of experience litigating, Charles began teaching graduate and undergraduate criminal justice courses; focusing on corrections, policy, legal process and constitutional law. In 2006 Charles helped organize the Jackson Crime Summit, in conjunction with the City of Jackson, Jackson State University, USDOJ and the community, to focus on the level of crime, and ways to increase active partnerships in combatting crime in the communities of Jackson.
Charles is a founding member of the non-profit, Building Professionals Group (BPG), which focuses on mentoring and exposing the youth of the rural Southeastern United States to the merits and urgency of education. Charles is also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.