open to all two women

Blog

We can be pretty sure that each new day will bring two things: new threats to our civil liberties, and new stories of people standing up for their rights and winning. Behind every court ruling is a person. Behind every landmark law is a movement. Read the stories and hear the voices that ground our work.

Edward Snowden
Blog

One Year After Snowden, Local Surveillance Remains Shrouded in Secrecy

Jun 05, 2014
One year ago today, whistleblower Edward Snowden confirmed that the NSA was secretly engaged in a massive program of warrantless surveillance of the American people. Since then, the ACLU has worked both in the courts and in Congress to halt the agency’s abuses of power and violations of our constitutional rights. But the NSA isn’t the only agency guilty of dragnet surveillance without oversight. S... Read More
unidentified police officer
Blog

California Supreme Court Rules for Police Transparency

May 29, 2014
You’ve seen police uniforms on TV. Some have medals, some have stripes, some are blue and some are tan, but they always have a badge, and a little nameplate on the chest bearing the officers name. In California, officers are required by state law to wear that nameplate identifying them. Why? Accountability. Read More
Blog

Enough Is Enough: Poor Women Are Not Having Babies for Money

May 22, 2014
When I was young, my mom was on welfare. She wasn't unlike other moms on our South Los Angeles block: single, working multiple jobs, and doing her best to keep her head above water. My mom braved the stigma that is tethered to receiving state benefits. Braving it is what poor people do... Read More
police surveillance
Blog

San Francisco - Paying the Price for Surveillance Without Safeguards

May 22, 2014
Last week’s decision by a federal appeals court allowing an expensive and multi-year lawsuit to go forward against San Francisco is a reminder of the immense cost—both to civil liberties and the public fisc—that can follow a community’s failure to have a thorough public discussion about surveillance technology and adopt legally enforceable safeguards if it is going to be used. Read More
GAYLA
Blog

LGBTQ Youth Advocates Demand Fair Treatment in School

May 19, 2014
Over 50 LGBTQ youth activists with the GSA Advocacy and Youth Leadership Academy traveled to Sacramento to advocate for safe and supportive school environments for all students. This year, the youth met with legislators to talk about three important pieces of legislation that impact their lives. Read More
Activists in Tulare County, CA
Blog

Shifting Gears on Criminal Justice in Tulare County: Hearing from DA and Sheriff Candidates

May 15, 2014
By Judy PendletonAs a long-time resident of Visalia – yes, that small town in the heart of California’s Central Valley – district attorney and sheriff elections have never excited me much. These races historically go uncontested, and candidates use the same old “tough on crime” rhetoric in their campaigns. But what does public safety really mean to these candidates? What about corrections spending... Read More
Talia Rodriguez
Blog

This Mother’s Day Let's Honor Mothers of All Ages

May 09, 2014
This Mother’s Day, I want to honor mothers of all ages—the young and old—including myself. As a seventeen year old mother, I know all too well both the joys and struggles of motherhood. When I became pregnant at 14, I knew my life would change dramatically but because of the way teen mothers are stigmatized, I never imagined I could be this happy. Read More