Jun 26, 2014
Today, the Supreme Court struck down a Massachusetts law creating a 35 foot buffer zone around abortion facilities. The Court balanced two fundamental rights: freedom of speech on public sidewalks and women’s right to access reproductive health care. At the ACLU, we care deeply about both rights, and believe that in balancing rights in conflict the goal is to safeguard both. In our view, the Court gave too little weight to the real world experience of women who have suffered harassment, obstruction and intimidation in seeking care.
Jun 25, 2014

The United States Supreme Court unanimously acknowledged what common sense tells us and everyone who owns a cell phone (yes, that would be just about everyone) already knows: Our cell phones have a whole lot of private information about us. The Court therefore held that cops need a warrant to search a cell phone.

Jun 24, 2014

The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation and the ACLU Foundations of Oregon, Southern California, Northern California, and New Mexico have filed a legal challenge on behalf of ten U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who cannot fly to or from the United States or over U.S. airspace because they are on the "No Fly List"—a component of the government's watch list system. None of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, including a disabled veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, a U.S. Army veteran, and a U.S.

For Immediate Release: Jun 24, 2014
Media Contact: press@aclunc.org, (415) 621-2493
Airplane
In a landmark ruling, a federal judge struck down as unconstitutional the government’s procedures for people on the No Fly List to challenge their inclusion. The decision came in an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit brought on behalf of 13 Americans who found themselves on the list without any notice, reasons, or meaningful way to get off it.
Jun 23, 2014
Growing up in any city it is easy to see the inequalities that permeate every-day life. Growing up in the Bay Area has provided me with so many opportunities to become aware and involved in challenging those inequalities. My time as an intern at the ACLU of Northern California helped me understand how to better do that.
Jun 19, 2014

Today is Juneteenth and the United States just executed three black men from three southern states in 24 hours. This is outrageous.

Here’s a Throwback Thursday for you. June 19, 1865: African American men, women, and children in Galveston, Texas, rejoiced and celebrated in the streets after hearing these words, “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”

For Immediate Release: Jun 18, 2014
Media Contact: press@aclunc.org, (415) 621-2493

Community members and members of the Drive CA Coalition released recommendations at a news conference today urging the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to improve proposed regulations that will make drivers' licenses for undocumented immigrants a reality under California's AB 60, The Safe and Responsible Driver Act.

Jun 17, 2014

Barely a generation ago, California’s schools were the greatest in the nation. Now, the state’s education is abysmal, ranking 49th in the nation on how much it spends on students.

California is taking steps to change the way it invests in schools and students to turn this tide.

The Local Control and Funding Formula is one of the ways that the state is supporting the students who need it the most. It’s an historic opportunity to close the achievement gap.

Jun 12, 2014
While we await much-needed federal immigration reform, dozens of counties are refusing ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) requests to detain immigrants in local jails.
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