Economic Justice

The ACLU works to defend economically disadvantaged people and fights income-based discrimination in the criminal justice and public benefits systems, and in housing and employment. Economic justice is a civil right.

Victory: California Chief Justice ends "bail for trial... Read more

Fighting for homeless rights in Tulare. Read more

Homeless people's stuff being destroyed in Fresno

Class action settlement for hundreds of Fresno's homeless... Read more

Would you pay a hefty fee to communicate with neighbors? Read more

News

Richmond City Council Meeting Passes Fair Housing Ordinance for Formerly Incarcerated People

Richmond City Council Adopts Fair Chance Housing Ordinance

December 21, 2016

File Under :

Criminal Justice and Drug Policy, Economic Justice, Racial Justice

The Richmond City Council last night voted to approve a “Fair Chance Access to Affordable Housing” ordinance to protect the rights of people who are re-entering society and find themselves excluded from housing opportunities because of their... Read more

Blog

A meeting on a residential street in Richmond

VICTORY! Richmond, CA Passes New Affordable Housing Law for Formerly Incarcerated People

December 20, 2016

File Under :

Criminal Justice and Drug Policy, Economic Justice, Racial Justice

Finding affordable housing is tough. Finding affordable housing when you’re returning home after serving time is nearly impossible. Last night, the Richmond City Council passed a historic law to protect the rights of people who are re-entering... Read more »

Blog

Workers throw homeless people's property into a Caltrans truck

Client Stories: Illegal Caltrans Sweeps of Homeless Encampments

December 13, 2016

File Under :

Criminal Justice and Drug Policy, Economic Justice

Sometimes the trucks arrive early. Sometimes they come with no notice at all. Sometimes, while workers from the California Department of Transportation make their way down the row of tents—seizing property and cherished belongings—people have mere... Read more »

News

Civil Rights Groups Sue Caltrans to Stop Illegal Raids Against California’s Homeless

December 12, 2016

File Under :

Criminal Justice and Drug Policy, Economic Justice

A lawsuit filed today by civil rights groups charges the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) with violating the constitutional rights of homeless people by confiscating and destroying their property in ongoing sweeps. On multiple... Read more

Case

Four portraits of clients in Sanchez v. Caltrans

Sanchez v. California Department of Transportation

File Under :

Criminal Justice and Drug Policy, Economic Justice

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is violating the constitutional rights of homeless people by confiscating and destroying their property in ongoing sweeps. The class-action suit seeks a permanent injunction to stop this illegal... Read more

Blog

Affordable Housing is a Civil Right

December 8, 2016

File Under :

Economic Justice, Racial Justice

A coalition of community groups recently announced a groundbreaking partnership with Facebook and the cities of East Palo Alto and Menlo Park to address affordable housing, displacement, and economic opportunity in the region. Read more »

Blog

Young Minds Should Be Filled With Knowledge, Not Chemicals. Pesticide Spraying Must be Regulated.

December 7, 2016

File Under :

Economic Justice, Racial Justice

Almost 30 years ago, a study showed that people of color were more likely to live near incinerators. Since then, the dangerous conditions and exposure to environmental dangers have gotten worse . In California, CalEnviroScreen data recently... Read more »

Blog

Money Bail: Freedom and Justice Out of Reach for Far Too Many Californians

December 5, 2016

File Under :

Criminal Justice and Drug Policy, Economic Justice

Each year, thousands of Californians are kept in jail awaiting trial simply because they can't afford to post bail. Read more »

News

Conductores de bajos recursos demandan al DMV de California por suspender ilegalmente licencias de conducir

October 25, 2016

File Under :

Criminal Justice and Drug Policy, Economic Justice, Racial Justice

Una coalición de organizaciones que ofrecen servicios de asesoría legal y trabajan por los derechos civiles demandaron al Departamento de Vehículos de Motor (DMV) esta mañana por suspender ilegalmente las licencias de conducir de conductores de... Read more

News

Low-Income Drivers Sue California DMV for Illegally Suspending Licenses

October 25, 2016

File Under :

Criminal Justice and Drug Policy, Economic Justice, Racial Justice

A coalition of legal aid and civil rights organizations sued the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) this morning for illegally suspending the driver's licenses of low-income Californians. Read more