Steve Block Retiring as Legislative Director of ACLU-NCA - Replacement Sought

For more than seventeen years, Steve Block has been monitoring the work of the D.C. Council and testifying and lobbying on our behalf. Now he says “it’s time for me to hang up my shingle.” Asked to reflect on his career, Steve stated that he has been especially gratified when ACLU initiatives were enacted into law, such as the recently passed revision of the District’s archaic disorderly conduct statutes. He adds that he is especially proud of the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance’s Distinguished Service Award for his work in preventing the enactment of a sex offender registry law (Megan’s Law) that would have discriminated against the LGBT community.

Of course, Steve has done so much more than his modesty allows him to take credit. But, we would be remiss if we did not remind our readers that Steve played an invaluable role in the drafting and lobbying for the "First Amendment Rights and Police Standards Act of 2004," which establishes a new regime for the exercise of first amendment rights in the District. And, he fully participated in the drafting and lobbying for the statute establishing today's Office of Police Complaints.

Steve’s oversized shoes will be hard to fill, so we’re looking for volunteers willing to fill even one of them. Steve delighted in the fact that his Department of State retirement pay supported his ACLU work. If you are similarly situated, able to volunteer, for the most part full-time, and would like to be an important part of the ACLU team, please contact Johnny Barnes Johnny.Barnes@aclu-nca.org or Art Spitzer artspitzer@gmail.com or call either at (202) 457-0800. A copy of the Job Description for the Legislative Director can be found here.