LOS ANGELES - On Wednesday, May 30th, a hearing will be held to determine whether Robert Rosenkrantz is illegally being denied parole by Governor Davis. Rosenkrantz, convicted of second-degree murder in 1985, has won the support of several members of the legislature, the judge who sentenced him, a member of the victim's family, and religious groups. The hearing will be held at 10:00 am in the Courtroom of Judge Paul Gutman (Department A), L.A. Superior Court - Van Nuys East Division located at 6230 Sylmar Ave. in Van Nuys, California.

On April 18, three religious denominations, represented by the ACLU affiliates of Northern and Southern California, and the law offices of Latham & Watkins filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of Rosenkrantz. The religious groups, along with Albert M. Leddy, former Chairman of the California Board of Prison Terms, say that Rosenkrantz is a victim of Governor Davis' no parole policy that violates state and federal law. The religious groups include the California Council of Churches, the Board of Rabbis of Northern California, and the California Province of the Society of Jesus.

"We urge Governor Davis to reconsider his policy of refusing to release inmates convicted of murder who have been recommended for parole and are not considered a danger to society," said Scott Anderson of the California Council of Churches. "The Governor's no parole policy takes away any incentive for rehabilitation and reform and only increases the prisoner's despair and hopelessness. The policy robs society of those inmates who are rehabilitated, remorseful and repentant and who want to return as productive members to their communities. Mr. Rosenkrantz is such a man."

Since his imprisonment, the 33-year-old Rosenkrantz has become a computer expert, and has received several job offers. He completed therapy and has had a spotless record since he's been at the state's medium-security prison in San Luis Obispo.

"Governor Davis' blanket policy of no parole for all those who have committed murder is clearly unconstitutional and unlawful," said Will Barnett Fitton, of the law firm Latham & Watkins. "The Governor's policy does not consider all of the individual's characteristics and his likelihood of reform and only looks at the facts of the crime. In the Rosenkrantz case, the Los Angeles Superior Court and the Court of Appeal ruled that the offense was not sufficient to deny him parole. Rosenkrantz is being held captive by the Governor's no parole policy."

On April 9, 1999 the Los Angeles Times reported about the possibility of parole in murder cases, and Governor Davis said, "If you take someone else's life, forget it."

That same year, the Board of Prison Terms held nearly 2,000 parole hearings for those serving life terms. The Board determined that only 16 were suitable for parole. In every case, Governor Davis reversed or recommended against parole. In 2000, the Board conducted a similar number of hearings, and deemed only 19 lifers suitable for parole. Governor Davis has reversed or recommended against parole in every instance last year except one.

"We are anxious to preserve the integrity of the state parole system," said Rabbi David Teitelbaum, of the Board of Rabbis of Northern California. "The state parole system is based on the principle of human reconciliation and renewal. The Governor's no parole policy violates this very principle."

Albert Leddy, who served for nine years as a member, Commissioner and then Chairman of the California Board of Prison Terms from 1983-1992, said, "The Governor's policy of denying parole to all prisoners who have committed murder eliminates hope and motive for improvement and creates increased tension within the state's prison walls. If an inmate has no hope of being released, then why should he respect the rules and regulations that govern the prison? The California parole system values redemption and rehabilitation, and Rosenkrantz is clearly a model prisoner who deserves to be released."

"The Governor's lock-down on parole is a matter of politics, not sound policy," said Mark Rosenbaum, Legal Director of the ACLU of Southern California. "The Governor's 'no parole' policy amounts to an administrative decree that all life sentences be converted to 'life without possibility of parole.' This decree is unjust and runs counter to our laws and our society's belief in the rehabilitative purpose of imprisonment."

LOS ANGELES -The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California today announced that Tamika McDonald of Manual Arts High School is one of 12 high school seniors nationwide to be awarded a $4,000 college scholarship in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the struggle to defend civil liberties. The ACLU's College Scholarship for Youth Activism Award recognizes the efforts of graduating seniors who have demonstrated a strong commitment to civil liberties throughout their careers in secondary school.

"Every year, the ACLU of Southern California is lucky to have scores of students whose passion and dedication help us in the struggle to secure our civil liberties," said Ramona Ripston, executive director of the ACLU/SC. "We are inspired by and proud of Tamika McDonald's energy, contributions and commitment to take on the struggle of defending civil liberties. Her commitment gives us faith that today's young people are dedicated to defending civil liberties and civil rights."

As a plaintiff in Williams v. California, the ACLU's landmark legal effort to reform California's failed and inequitable school system, Tamika helped to identify other students whose schools failed to participate in programs that would have guaranteed their top students admission to the state university system. While earning top grades at her school, Tamika also volunteered her time to work on ACLU campaigns, educated her peers about their rights, and served as president of her school's Amnesty International Club.

"The only way to demonstrate true citizenship is to know your rights and learn how to protect them and learn how to help others protect their rights," said Tamika, who will be attending College of the Holy Cross on a four-year scholarship this Fall.

According to the ACLU lawsuit, filed in August 2000, students at Tamika's school and many other schools in low-income areas or communities of color are learning under conditions that fall far below prevailing statewide standards.

In addition to participating in the lawsuit, since her junior year, Tamika has been helping incoming freshmen learn about the education resources available to them -- yet often never advertised -- such as honors classes and enrichment programs.

"Administrators and teachers are often ill-prepared to handle the complex life situations that many of my classmates face," said Tamika. "Counselors even discourage their students from taking honors classes and administrators fail to publicize opportunities that are available to us."

Tamika McDonald migrated with her mother to the United States from Guyana at the age of ten. In order to catch up with her classmates, she taught herself to read and write English using "Hooked on Phonics" tapes. By the time she reached the 10th grade, her commitment to academic excellence and community service led her to be selected by her school to participate in a pre-collegiate outreach program at the University of California at Berkeley, the nation's top public university.

In addition to Tamika, this year's other recipients hail from Northern California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

Many of the students selected stood up for the rights of their peers by challenging the injustices inflicted upon them by school officials, created an ACLU chapter at their school or interned at the ACLU affiliate office in their state. In 2000, the first year of the program, the ACLU awarded scholarships to eight high school seniors.

"The ACLU's College Scholarship for Youth Activism Award gives us an opportunity to recognize the courage of students like Tamika and the example they set for their peers," said Nadine Strossen, President of the National ACLU. "It truly is an honor to be able to provide these intelligent, resourceful and committed young people with support for their education."

The ACLU College Scholarship program was made possible by a generous grant from an anonymous donor.

LOS ANGELES - A task force that was convened to counter the devastating effects of homophobia in the foster care system in Los Angeles County gathered at the Edelman's Children's Court today to unveil a "hate-free zone poster," which was placed in the Children's Court lobby - as well as to set forth its recommendations on how to address the issue of homophobia in the foster care system.

"The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community is committed to the safety and welfare of LGBT youth," said Martha Matthews, the David Bohnett Attorney at the ACLU of Southern California. "We must fight discrimination, harassment, psychological abuse, and physical assault of youth wherever we uncover it - and youth in foster care are especially vulnerable to abuse based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation, their gender identity, or their nonconformity to gender expectations."

"Some LGBT youth entered the foster care system precisely because of conflicts centering on their gender identity, gender nonconformity, or actual or perceived sexual orientation," said Matthews. "But rather than finding a haven from a home that can't accept their difference, they find instead a system that exposes them to the same risks all over again."

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth nationwide have long encountered harassment, violence, attempts to coerce them into heterosexuality, and other forms of abuse. A lawsuit filed in New York City in 1999 charged that LGBT youth in foster care were routinely targeted with physical and psychological abuse.

The task force has found that Los Angeles-area LGBT youth in foster care face serious challenges as well, and it has begun to document cases of abuse and discrimination. Task force members have collected incidents they've uncovered ranging from adults in a foster home failing to protect a youth from peer harassment, to a Baptist foster family attempting to coerce a youth to become heterosexual, to court staff harassing a male-to-female transgender youth.

33,364 youth are in foster care in Los Angeles County, and reports have shown over the years that the system has failed youth in numerous ways. Task force members believe that homophobia and the resulting physical and psychological abuse of LGBT youth are a troubling and overlooked part of the foster care crisis.

"We know from youths' accounts that, in addition to all of the other problems youth face in the foster care system, LGBT youth face discrimination and harassment based on who they are," said Matthews.

Linda Velasquez, 19 years old, told of her experience in the foster care system, including her experience at a Catholic-run foster group home.

"Coming out as a lesbian in your teens isn't easy no matter where you are, but in my group home, I was treated differently from other residents," said Velasquez. "My actions were monitored more closely. I was told not to talk about my personal life. I wasn't allowed to spend time alone with staff members. I was told that I was confused, and I frequently heard anti-lesbian slurs, which staff members did not attempt to stop. It's almost as if they stopped helping me as soon as they found out I was gay, because they wanted me to leave."

Presiding Judge Terry Friedman will hang a framed copy of the poster in the court house lobby.

"This poster is first step toward raising awareness on these issues," said Matthews, "but much more is needed."

The task force recommended:

' Fully implementing and enforcing the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services' (DCFS) nondiscrimination policy, through: including questions about sexual orientation and gender identity in DCFS's guidelines for needs assessments and placement decisions; enforcing "zero tolerance" of homophobic bias or discriminatory treatment of LGBTQ youth by DCFS employees; acting promptly to investigate and resolve incidents of harassment, violence, or other mistreatment of LGBTQ youth in placements; and requiring all foster and group homes to take responsibility for preventing homophobic harassment, threats or violence by other youth.

' Training for all youths' social workers on: DCFS's non-discrimination policy; how to discuss issues of sexual orientation, sexual behavior, STD prevention, etc., in an age-appropriate and non-judgmental manner with youth; how to find appropriate placements, services and resources for LGBTQ youth; and how to address issues of homophobia with birth parents, foster and group home providers.

' Assigning specialized staff to act as resource persons and backup workers for consultation on all cases involving LGBTQ foster youth.

' Ensuring that all youth's social workers know about resources for LGBTQ youth (such as support groups, specialized placements, etc.), and resources for birth parents, relatives and foster parents (such as Parents and Friends of Lesbians & Gays, etc.), and facilitate youths' and caregivers' access to these resources.

' Conducting outreach to youth in group homes, to ensure that all youth understand DCFS's nondiscrimination policy, know their rights, and know how to report incidents of harassment and violence.

' Ensuring that Independent Living Skills programs are accessible and welcoming to LGBTQ youth, and include anti-bias educational activities.

' Creating a liaison team to work with shelters and service programs for homeless and runaway youth, to address the needs of youth who have run away from DCFS placements, investigate the problems that led to their running away, and re-establish stable placements.