Chris Giunchigliani Chosen as Civil Libertarian of the Year

ACLU of Nevada to Present Award at Annual Event on September 30

LAS VEGAS, NV - The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Nevada is pleased to announce that Chris Giunchigliani has been chosen as this year’s Emilie Wanderer Civil Libertarian of the Year award recipient. The ACLU of Nevada will present the award to Giunchigliani at its Ninth Annual Celebration of Civil Liberties on Friday, September 30.

Giunchigliani is currently the Clark County Commissioner for District E, prior to which she served as a State Assemblywoman for eight terms. A long-time ACLU member, Giunchigliani has been a leader in the defense of civil liberties and civil rights in Nevada for over two decades.

“Chris is a long-time committed and accomplished civil libertarian throughout her tireless work as a state legislator and Clark County commissioner,” said Dane S. Claussen, Executive Director of the ACLU of Nevada. “The ACLU of Nevada is thrilled to recognize her for her past work, and knows that we can also count on her for many years to come.”

“I deeply appreciate being chosen the 2011 ACLU Emilie Wanderer Civil Libertarian,” said Giunchigliani. “The ACLU has an historic record of standing up for what is right—and for human rights—even when it is not the popular thing because rights are fundamental. It is an honor to be considered part of that effort.”

Giunchigliani has been a tireless advocate for free speech, indigent defense, fairness, and equality for all Nevadans. In 1997, Giunchigliani worked to repeal two laws that chilled free speech in political campaigns, recognizing the First Amendment trumps the desire to prevent negative campaigns. She also opposed a plan to privatize medical care in prison and led the fight to ban the death penalty for juvenile defendants under the age of 18. Giunchigliani worked to assist individuals with a criminal conviction reintegrate into the community after completing their sentence, one of the leading factors of reducing recidivism rates, including attempting to simplify the process to have voting rights restored. She has worked to for equality of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals, and is a vocal supporter of gay marriage. Additionally, this past year, Giunchigliani worked with the ACLU of Nevada to reform the Clark County Coroner’s Inquest process.

“This is really not about my accomplishments,” Giunchigliani said, “but of the accomplishments of so many people who have the fortitude to stand up for what they know is right. It is my privilege to have been able, from time to time, to stand with them.”

The Civil Libertarian of the Year award is given to individuals who have significantly contributed to the protection and advancement of civil liberties in Nevada. It is named in honor of Emilie Wanderer, one of Las Vegas’s first female attorneys and a long time civil rights advocate.

“It is an honor to receive an award named for Emilie Wanderer, a pioneer and role model for women and all people of good conscience,” said Giunchigliani.