ACLU'S MARION DAMICK AT 90 : TV INTERVIEW WITH LYNN CULLEN

“I want to be remembered for trying to be a social activist, and a supporter of underdog causes.” Marion Damick

On July 23, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union celebrated Marion Damick’s 90th birthday with a formal resolution 'commending her for a life of service in the interest of civil liberties, civil rights, religious liberties and the rights of the incarcerated to humane treatment.”

Rich Fishkin happened to attend the ACLU picnic, and was intrigued by her impressive history and the fact that she is still going strong as a leader in the community. He scheduled a video interview with Marion and Lynn Cullen, well-­known media person, as the interviewer. The show is an inspiring testament to the power of the human spirit and a must see for all.

During the month of February, it will be aired every Monday at 9 PM (in the city limits) on COMCAST

Channel 21 and on VERIZON FIOS CH 47, as an episode of the PCTV 21 Progressive Pgh Notebook TV Series. The program is available at youtube/richfishpgh . Just search for the title.

From the most humble beginnings as a volunteer in her basement office, next to the coal chute, Marion served the ACLU for over thirty years . From 1962 to 1993 , her titles shifted from Secretary to Associate Director to Director, during some of the most controversial cases and Supreme Court victories. She is not a lawyer herself and creditsRoz Litman and the deceased Thomas Kerr as two of the most active attorneys handling ACLU court cases during that period.

It is probably hard for most people to realize how dangerous it was to be a progressive and member of the ACLU during the era of the House Un­American Activities Committee (HUAC) and the attacks by Senator Joseph McCarthy. Hundreds of people were fired from their jobs; writers, actors, singers like Pete Seeger, producers in film and tv were blacklisted and denied any employment in the entertainment industries. Many left the country and some were imprisoned for their refusal to co­operate with the extreme right ­wing who imagined a communist in every Liberal closet. (See the current film Trumbo, and Red Hollywood, Netflix streaming documentary on blacklist)

During those years, the ACLU was often the only organization with the guts to defend the victims, and indeed, risked becoming victims themselves. Into this politically and culturally charged environment, Marion Damick was the tough, cool, businesslike person often found at news conferences and in front of a camera, explaining the ACLU as a defender of the American Constitution. A famous quote, often used to explain why the ACLU might defend the KKK’s or fascist groups’ First Amendment Rights was: “I do not agree with what you say, but I defend to the death your right to say it.”

In addition to free speech, the ACLU stood for equal justice under the law. One of these cases involved a rash of rapes and robberies of elderly women in Homestead, Pa (1950's) and the subsequent racial profiling and fingerprinting of only African-­American men and boys. The ACLU objected and got national coverage of the illegal police action. Luckily the issue was resolved without going to court, when the police found the stolen items in a pawn shop and stopped their illegal practice.

During Marion's tenure several famous legal cases came to the fore and gained national attention. One involved the Pittsburgh Press newspaper using gender to separate and define job categories in the want ads of the paper, turning back an evolving trend of women as equals in the workforce, a result of the war effort! The ACLU sued the paper, took it to the Supreme Court and won.

In 1986 the local chapter sued the City of Pittsburgh and County of Allegheny over the display of a nativity scene on the grand staircase of the Courthouse; another case that went to the Supreme Court in 1989 and resulted in victory.

Lynn Cullen can be seen Monday- Friday 10-11 AM on the Internet www.pghcitypaper.com. Call in 412-316-3381. ACLU can be contacted at 412-681-7736. Carlana Rhoten produces Progressive Pgh Notebook TV series and Rich Fishkin is a videographer.

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