Caroline Fredrickson

Recently Maine caved in to the federal government, implementing legislation taking steps to comply with the federal Real ID act. State officials did so hesitantly, offering the minimum to be in compliance, thus getting an extension to meet further requirements.

Donna Bendiksen of Portland and Kathleen McGee of Bowdoinham have both submitted people’s veto applications to repeal the act, saying that the law represents the first step toward guaranteed full compliance with the law.

They have submitted separate applications, but are working together. They need to gather 55,087 signatures before the veto can move forward.

They did this independently, but the Maine Civil Liberties Union has their back.

The law, designed to increase the security of driver’s licenses, requires proof of legal residency – a means to keep illegal immigrants from getting licenses. The bill passed with much opposition in the Legislature last month.

Without this extension, Mainers’ driver’s licenses would not have been good at airports and federal buildings, and residents would have had to undergo extra security checks.

SEE BELOW for audio: Caroline Fredrickson's speech

The Maine Civil Liberties Union turns 40 this year.

Members and supporters of the MCLU held a dinner Thursday evening, celebrating how far the organization has come.

Louis Scolnik, a former Maine Supreme Court justice, helped found the MCLU in 1968. The first year the organization had a budget of $268.

“The MCLU has not only been able to survive but evolve into the effective, well-respected organization it is today,” Scolnik said.

But things have only gotten tougher in the world of litigation in favor of civil liberties. When they started, they tackled issues as simple as defending boys’ rights to have long hair in school.

Now some of their most recent battles include fights against warrantless wiretapping and Real ID.