Al Bendich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Al Bendich
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| Born | June 18, 1929 New York City, New York
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| Died | January 5, 2015 (aged 85) |
| Education | B.A.,M.A.,J.D. |
| Occupation | lawyer |
| Organization | American Civil Liberties Union |
| Spouse(s) | Pamela Bendich |
| Children | Jon Bendich, Nora Bendich, Bridget Bendich, Adrianne Bendich |
| Parent(s) | Hyman Bendich, Anna Bendich |
Albert Morris Bendich (June 18, 1929 – January 5, 2015) was a lawyer who worked to protect people's rights. He was especially known for defending artists and writers. He helped them express themselves freely.
Al Bendich was born in New York City. He worked for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Northern California. This group helps protect the rights of all Americans. He was a staff lawyer there from 1957 to 1960. He also worked as a lawyer for Saul Zaentz, a famous movie producer. Bendich passed away in 2015.
Protecting Free Speech
Al Bendich believed strongly in freedom of speech. This means people should be able to share their thoughts and ideas. They should not be afraid of being punished for what they say. He fought for this right in many important court cases.
He once wrote about freedom of speech: "Would there be any freedom of the press or speech if one must reduce his vocabulary to vapid and innocuous euphemisms? An author should be real in treating his subject and be allowed to express his thoughts and ideas in his own words." This quote shows how much he valued honest expression. He believed writers should use their own words. They should not have to change them to avoid upsetting others.
Famous Cases
Al Bendich took on cases that helped define free speech in America. He defended artists whose work was seen as controversial. He argued that their art was important, even if some people disagreed with it.
The "Howl" Case
One of his most famous cases involved the poet Allen Ginsberg. Ginsberg wrote a poem called "Howl." Some people thought the poem was inappropriate. They tried to stop it from being published. Bendich defended Ginsberg and the publisher. He argued that "Howl" was a work of art. He said it was protected by the First Amendment. This amendment protects freedom of speech and the press. Thanks to his efforts, the poem was allowed to be published. This was a big win for artistic freedom.
Defending Lenny Bruce
Bendich also defended the comedian Lenny Bruce. Bruce was known for his unique and often controversial comedy routines. Some of his jokes were considered shocking at the time. People tried to stop him from performing. Bendich argued that Bruce's comedy was a form of expression. He believed it should be protected under free speech laws. His work helped ensure that comedians could perform without fear of being silenced.
