Why the NY "Con Con" is a con

A constitutional convention gambles with our rights Dear {NAME}, On the November 7 ballot, you will be asked whether you want a New York state constitutional convention, or “con con.” The NYCLU opposes a con con because it would leave our entire state constitution — and all the fundamental New York rights it protects — vulnerable to repeal and replace. [Read my op-ed about the risks of a con con]( – and let others know why it would be anything but a “People's convention.” The delegates to the con con would come from districts that have been politically and racially gerrymandered to favor the politicians who control the State Senate. They’d likely be political party loyalists and they get to make up whatever rules they want. Instead of reigning in dysfunction and corruption, the convention is set up in a way that invites standard Albany horse-trading. Delegates would be free to trade away our New York state constitutional protections for free speech, public education, separation of church and state, the environment, aid to the needy, workers’ right to organize and pension rights. If ever there were a time to guard those protections it is now, in the era of Trump. If you want to know more, [join our Facebook Live conversation tomorrow at 1 PM](. You can submit your questions in advance or during our broadcast. There is a more deliberative and less risky way to expand our constitutional rights – by taking up one issue at a time. That’s how New York adopted Women’s Suffrage a hundred years ago. Thanks for your vigilance, [Donna Lieberman] Donna Lieberman Executive Director [New York Civil Liberties Union]( [New York Civil Liberties Union]( [Defend liberty, equality & justice. Become a member »]( If you forward, the links will open to a page with your personal information. © New York Civil Liberties Union • 125 Broad Street • New York, NY 10004 This email was sent to: {EMAIL} [Privacy Statement]( | [Unsubscribe](