News

Our lawyers and advocates are among the nation's leading experts on civil liberties and constitutional freedoms. Read the latest on the ACLU of Northern California’s work. To schedule a press interview, call (415) 621-2493 or contact press@aclunc.org.

ACLU Statement on DOJ Decision to Shift Federal Government's Role in State Marijuana Laws

Jan 04, 2018

The Department of Justice is expected to reverse an Obama-era policy today that discouraged federal prosecutors from bringing charges against marijuana users in states where marijuana is legal. This decision would directly impact residents of the six states and the District of Columbia who have already legalized marijuana use, and should the change also affect medical marijuana regulations, could ... Read More

Wiyot and Bear River Tribes Call for “True Partnership” To Protect the Civil Rights of Loleta Students

Dec 12, 2017

LOLETA – Tribal leaders are hailing the news that Loleta Union Elementary School District has entered into a Voluntary Resolution Agreement with U.S. Department of Education. The Loleta School Board is scheduled to discuss the agreement at its December 13th board meeting, which will be held at 5pm in Room 8 at the Loleta Elementary School. Leaders from the Wiyot Tribe and the Bear River Band o... Read More

91 Percent of Americans Support Criminal Justice Reform, ACLU Polling Finds

Nov 16, 2017

The ACLU Campaign for Smart Justice released new public opinion polling today that shows consensus support for criminal justice reform across the ideological and political spectrum.

ACLU Report Shows Police Reform Needed in Fresno

Nov 14, 2017

San Francisco — The ACLU of California today released a report that identifies 146 officer-involved shootings by the Fresno Police Department between 2001 and 2016 and analyzes the department’s policies and practices related to use of force, transparency, and community relations.The report reveals a disparate impact of police shootings in low-income communities of color and shows how the departmen... Read More

ACLU Statement on Visalia Unified School District’s Proposed Changes to Dress Code

Nov 07, 2017

The ACLU of Northern California, Brianna Smith, a Visalia student activist, and ACT for Women and Girls based in Visalia, CA, are submitting public comments today regarding Visalia Unified School District’s proposed changes to the dress code banning “hate group” clothing being considered this evening by the School Board. ACLU Attorney Abre’ Conner, Brianna Smith, and students with ACT for Women an... Read More

ACLU Calls on Alameda School District to Lift Black Lives Matter Ban

Oct 30, 2017

The ACLU of Northern California today sent a letter to the superintendent of the Alameda Unified School District urging him to reconsider an unlawful ban on Black Lives Matter signs and stickers.

ACLU Comment on Newly Released Report on Pretrial Detention Reform in California

Oct 24, 2017

California's Pretrial Detention Reform Work Group today released a report that includes many encouraging recommendations to overhaul California’s fraught pretrial justice system.

Advocates Applaud Governor Brown and Chief Justice’s Commitment to Reform California’s Unjust Bail System

Aug 25, 2017

Sacramento - Today, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Senator Bob Hertzberg and Assemblymember Rob Bonta announced their plan to work together to reform California’s fraught money bail system. The bill cosponsors issued the statement below in response:We look forward to working with Senator Hertzberg, Assemblymember Bonta, Governor Brown, and Chief Justice Cantil-Sak... Read More

ACLU of California Statement: Death Penalty Still Broken Beyond Repair

Aug 24, 2017

Today’s decision changes nothing. California hasn't carried out an execution in over 10 years and executions won't resume any time soon.

ACLU Releases New Data on Stockton Unified’s Pattern of Wrongly Arresting Students

Jun 06, 2017

The District reported 1,936 student arrests between July 2012 and November 2016. 52% of student arrests were for low-level misbehavior – such as truancy, curfew violations, and disturbing the peace. The data also shows that policing in SUSD has a particularly harsh impact on Black and Latinx students and students with disabilities.

ACLU Rallies for Freedom and Justice for All at State Capitol

Apr 03, 2017

The ACLU of California held its annual rally and lobby day to promote civil liberties legislation. Several policymakers, advocates, affected community members, and 400 ACLU members and supporters from throughout the state joined the organization.

ACLU Statement on California Chief Justice’s State of the Judiciary

Mar 27, 2017

ACLU of California Center for Advocacy and Policy statement in response to CA Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye's State of the Judiciary Address.