NEW YORK - The New York Civil Liberties Union has launched an advocacy department to lead public advocacy campaigns to defend and promote civil rights and civil liberties throughout the state.

The department seeks to influence public policy through grassroots organizing, public education, coalition building, online activism and direct lobbying of lawmakers. It will work with the NYCLU’s chapters and regional offices to implement statewide campaigns aimed at positioning lawmakers to reject attacks on civil liberties.

“We do not confine our work to courtrooms,” said Donna Lieberman, Executive Director of the NYCLU. “To effectively protect civil rights and civil liberties, we must engage people in their communities, inform them of the issues and teach them how to make a difference. I’m confident our new advocacy department can meet this challenge.”

Udi Ofer, NYCLU legislative counsel, will serve as Advocacy Director. He will work with NYCLU Legislative Director Robert Perry and other senior staff to formulate campaign priorities and devise advocacy strategies. 

Ari Rosmarin, NYCLU statewide campaigns coordinator, will continue to implement statewide advocacy campaigns and work with NYCLU regional offices to organize local and statewide advocacy committees. Rosmarin, an experienced organizer, will also support and train regional staff and volunteers in advocacy techniques, organizing strategies and program issues.

Chloe Dugger will coordinate the NYCLU’s campaign on the School to Prison Pipeline, which seeks to remedy local, state and federal education and public safety policies that combine to push students out of school and into the criminal justice system. 

Organizer Erica Braudy will help build coalitions with grassroots groups and advocacy organizations and mobilize NYCLU members and supporters around current civil liberties issues. She will assist in managing online advocacy programs and developing public education materials.

Campus organizer Kiran Savage-Sangwan will continue to mobilize college students across the state to join the fight to protect civil rights and civil liberties. 

More information about the NYCLU’s advocacy work is available online at www.nyclu.org