ACLU-NC Action Alerts

ACLU Briefing - Transparency & Accountability

July 15, 2009 PST

Come hear from the ACLU about Transparency and Accountability. With newly released evidence of state-sanctioned torture practices by the CIA, warrantless wiretaps of innocent Americans, and unconstitutional expansions of executive power, we can't sweep the abuses of the last eight years under the rug. Accountability for torture is a legal, political, and moral imperative. And the ACLU is committed to restoring the rule of law. Learn more.

Youth Activist Committee Meeting

July 12, 2009 PST

Join us!

Danville - March in 4th of July Parade with ACLU

July 4, 2009 PST

The ACLU-Mt. Diablo Chapter is happy to invite all of its members and supporters to march proudly in the ACLU contingent in the 2009 4th of July Parade in Danville. Independence Day is a great opportunity to demonstrate patriotism and civic pride! Join us.

Now Hiring - Associate Director

July 1, 2009 PST

The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California (ACLU-NC) seeks an experienced leader to serve as Associate Director to manage and coordinate the programmatic activities of the largest ACLU affiliate in the country.

Day of Action to End the Death Penalty

June 30, 2009 PST

Join us for a full day of activism to end the death penalty, including a public hearing to speak out against executions; procession to the capitol to tell Gov. Schwarzenegger and California legislators to stop wasting money on the death penalty; and a no-host social hour with leading advocates in the anti-death penalty movement. Tell Gov. Schwarzenegger he can save $1 Billion in 5 years by ending the death penalty.

Hundreds Testify In First-Ever Public Hearing On California's Death Penalty

June 30, 2009 PST

SACRAMENTO -- On June 30, Californians weighed in on the state's broken death penalty system in the first-ever public hearing on capital punishment methods in the state. Family members of murder victims, clergy, legal experts, wrongfully convicted individuals and concerned taxpayers from around the state will converge on Sacramento to register their objections to the new execution procedures at a public hearing by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The hearing comes after three years without executions in California, and after legal challenges demonstrated systemic problems with the state's handling of executions in the past.

Rochelle H. v. Vallejo City Unified School District

June 30, 2009 PST

On May 18, 2009, ACLU-NC announced a settlement with the Vallejo City Unified School District on behalf of Rochelle Hamilton, a high school student who faced anti-gay harassment from teachers and school staff. The settlement is designed to combat harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity at all the district's schools, and includes district-wide anti-harassment training for students and staff.

Media Relations Director

June 26, 2009 PST

The ACLU of Northern California seeks a full-time Media Relations Director to join the small team of strategists who spearhead the public education, media relations and new media activities of the largest ACLU affiliate in the nation. The Media Relations Director plays a key role in an array of activities that fall within the category of strategic communications. Together with other members of the communications team, s/he takes a lead role in the overall development of communications strategies that allow the ACLU to maximize the reach and impact of our policy advocacy, community organizing and litigation efforts.

Antioch Unified School District and ACLU Reach Settlement

June 25, 2009 PST

ANTIOCH — Through a settlement reached with the ACLU of Northern California, the Antioch Unified School District has agreed to undertake a comprehensive series of steps designed to prevent discrimination against African American and Latino students in school discipline; ensure that school administrators and staff protect students from race-based harassment by their peers; and stem the over-involvement of police officers in the handling of student misconduct, among other goals outlined in the settlement. The settlement agreement was ratified by the district’s board at the June 24th board meeting.

Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in California

June 24, 2009 PST

Frequently Asked Questions: Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in California. NOTE: This document is intended to provide information about marriage for same-sex couples in California. It is not intended to be legal advice, and should not be taken as such. For legal advice concerning your particular situation, please consult an attorney. (Last updated: 6/24/2009)

San Leandro Teachers Association and California Teachers Association v. Governing Board of the San Leandro Unified School District, San Leandro Unified School District, Christine Lim and Mike Hernandez

June 18, 2009 PST

Can a school district employer censor political messages concerning the local school board election in a teachers’ union’s newsletter distributed through school district employee mailboxes? Our amicus brief in support of the teachers’ association argued that the California Supreme Court should follow its tradition of providing broader speech protection than the U.S. Constitution and, in particular, that it should apply a “functional compatibility” test, rather than the federal “public forum” analysis. Under a functional compatibility test, the teacher’s union’s use of the mailboxes would be protected because the newsletters and their political content would not be incompatible with the District’s own use of employee mailboxes.

Fresno Hospital Bars Lesbian From Visiting Partner And Giving Advice About Her Treatment

June 15, 2009 PST

Teresa Rowe and Kristin Orbin attended the “Meet in the Middle” rally in support of marriage for same-sex couples in Fresno. After the couple completed a 14-mile march in 90 degree heat, Kristin, who suffers from epilepsy, collapsed in a seizure. At the hospital, Teresa was barred from visiting her partner and giving advice about her treatment at a Fresno hospital. The ACLU sent a letter to the hospital today urging that it adopt policy changes respecting same-sex relationships.

Quiz: What Do Facebook Quizzes Know About You?

June 11, 2009 PST

Facebook quizzes may seem like a harmless way to spend a few minutes. But do you really know how much these quizzes are learning about you and how that info could be used? Take our quiz and learn more!

ACLU Challenges Defense Department Personnel Policy To Regard Lawful Protests As "Low-Level Terrorism"

June 10, 2009 PST

Anti-terrorism training materials used by the Department of Defense teach its personnel that free expression in the form of public protests should be regarded as "low level terrorism." ACLU attorneys are calling the approach "an egregious insult to constitutional values" and have sent a letter to the DoD demanding that the offending materials be changed. "It is fundamentally wrong to equate activism with terrorism," said ACLU-NC attorney Ann Brick.

Comment on California Proposed Lethal Injection Regulations

June 10, 2009 PST

In May, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) released new regulations on lethal injection, the first step to resuming executions. By June 30, please take five minutes to send a personal message to CDCR opposing these regulations.

Development Assistant

June 10, 2009 PST

Frequently Asked Questions About the Costs of California's Death Penalty

June 10, 2009 PST

Many people are surprised to learn that it costs more to sentence someone to execution than permanent imprisonment, also known as life without parole. This page draws key findings from the ACLU-NC's report The Hidden Death Tax: The Secret Cost of Seeking Executions in California to answers some common questions about the costs of California's death penalty system.

ACLU Asks Sonoma County Schools to Comply With California Law on Sex Education

June 3, 2009 PST

On June 3, 2009, ACLU-NC asked Sonoma County schools to comply with California law by replacing abstinence-only sex education with comprehensive curricula that teach about condoms and contraception, as well as abstinence. “California law requires that sex education be based in public health science, not ideology,” said ACLU attorney Margaret Crosby. The curriculum in question, called Free To Be, exaggerates the failure rate of condoms, and suggests that sexual activity outside of marriage inevitably has negative consequences.

Celebrate Summer, Celebrate Justice: Host an ACLU House Party

June 3, 2009 PST

This summer, share your passion and enthusiasm for civil liberties. Host a house party to celebrate the ACLU of Northern California's 75 years of seeing justice through.

EFF and ACLU Planning to Appeal Dismissal of Dozens of Spying Cases

June 3, 2009 PST

San Francisco - A federal judge June 3 dismissed dozens of lawsuits over illegal domestic surveillance of American citizens, ruling that telecommunications companies had immunity from liability under the controversial FISA Amendments Act (FISAAA). The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) California and Illinois affiliates are planning to appeal the decision to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that FISAAA is unconstitutional.