Archive

In San Francisco, yet another example of police abuse came to light when Jami Tillotson was arrested outside a courtroom in the Hall of Justice while attempting to protect her clients’ right to counsel. Read More

When I moved into a sleepy Southern home in Montgomery, Alabama, that was so redolent with history, I imagined it to be the perfect place for inspiration. But I found living in a house where key civil rights leaders had once gathered to be far more sobering than inspiring.As an aspiring racial justice lawyer, the historical heart of the civil rights movement appeared to be an ideal place to start ... Read More

Today we lie down on the steps of the CA Supreme Court to protest the legal system’s failure to hold accountable the officers that killed Mike Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, and too many others. Read More

Today the ACLU of California unveiled plans to expand its advocacy work through its legislative office, the Sacramento-based Center for Advocacy and Policy. The organization also welcomed Natasha Minsker as Center Director and Kevin Baker as Legislative Director. Read More

A police officer wearing a body camera shoots a civilian. Afterwards, the officer has to write up a report about the incident. Should the officer be able to view the footage captured by his body camera (or other cameras) before he writes his initial report? Read More

Some of the most vigorous and sustained "Black Lives Matter" protests took place in Oakland and Berkeley. While some law enforcement response was called for, there were disturbing signs of a familiar pattern - the use of excessive force against demonstrators. Read More

People with disabilities face violent and deadly consequences when law enforcement does not take disabilities into account. It is not okay to take a deaf person down for failing to follow verbal orders. It is not okay to attack someone with autism because he is slow to respond to instruction. It is not okay to treat a woman with a mental disability as if she were a dangerous criminal. Read More

While it feels like an odd time to celebrate, it’s also a time in which we need to support those in our communities who continue to fight for justice and equality. Which is why I was so grateful last weekend to spend time with our Bill of Rights Day Celebration honorees who inspire me because they step up every day. Read More

Families and communities across the nation are outraged, grieving, and taking to the streets.Our hearts go out to the families of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, two unarmed black men killed by police who have escaped justice.And to the families of Tamir Rice, Oscar Grant, Alex Nieto, Andy Lopez, and too many more black and brown men and boys who have been killed by the police.The ACLU of Northern ... Read More

With the backdrop of a national, youth-led movement demanding reform of a system of policing that too often approaches communities of color like an occupying force, the Department of Justice on Monday released updated profiling guidance for federal law enforcement agencies. The guidance is explicitly inclusive of both sexual orientation and gender identity – an aspect that is of critical importanc... Read More