SERVICES FOR CIVIL LIBERTARIAN
MICHAEL  SKY CAMFIELD
TO BE HELD TUESDAY

Photo from the ACLU Oklahoma website

The death of Michael Sky Camfield this week is noted with sadness by Arts, Dance & OKC.

The American Civil Liberties of Oklahoma said on its website it lost a former co-worker, great advocate, and dear friend Michael Sky Camfield. Michael worked for the ACLU of Oklahoma from 1993-2009. For much of that time, Michael was half of the two member staff along with former Executive Director Joann Bell. During his time at the ACLU he was a powerful advocate for many Oklahomans.

Michael began working for the ACLU of Oklahoma in 1993. While he served many roles, the majority of his energy was devoted to finding unique ways to grow the membership and to develop an impressive and consistent fundraising base.

Perhaps the incident that received the most publicity in Michael's time with the ACLU of Oklahoma was with the video of "The Tin Drum."

In 1997, an Oklahoma resident complained that the academy award-winning German movie contained child pornography and therefore violated Oklahoma law. After a local judge viewed the movie and agreed with the complainant, the police subsequently went to neighborhood video stores and removed all copies, and obtained, without a warrant, the names of those who were currently renting it. One copy had been rented by Michael who got wind of the impending seizure and wanted to see if the movie was really objectionable. Police came to Michael’s house and asked for the cassette, which he handed over after some discussion of “the artistic merits of the movie.”

The ACLU of Oklahoma filed suit, and the court found that the city violated Michael’s rights by obtaining his rental records without a court order or warrant. The court awarded Michael the statutory minimum of $2500, but more importantly, a victory for civil liberties.  (From the ACLU of Oklahoma website.)

Michael began working for the ACLU of Oklahoma in 1993. While he served many roles, the majority of his energy was devoted to finding unique ways to grow the membership and to develop an impressive and consistent fundraising base.
 "Michael loved everything the ACLU stands for and he especially subscribed to the “Molly Ivins” idea of defending Civil Liberties and having a ball while doing it," former executive director Joanne Bell wrote the on Oklahoma American Civil Liberities Union webpage.

"He was devoted to the ACLU," Marjorie Ramana, member of the board of directors, said to Dance, Art & OKC.

Services will be 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at the Asa Smith Memorial Chapel, Harrah, OK. Services are under the direction of Smith~Parks Funeral Service in Harrah, OK.

Compiled by Nancy Condit