Free Speech

Our support of the Bill of Rights and the first amendment right to free speech is unequivocal. This includes challenging activities or actions that seek to curtail, limit or erase the free speech of others. However, we reserve the right to exercise our free speech by critiquing the speech of others, such as hateful speech, that is contrary to our core values, which support liberty and justice for all.

ACLU responds to excessive force used on protesters. Read more

ACLU defends "I can't breathe" t-shirts at school... Read more

Your free speech rights at demonstrations and protests. Know Your Rights

Privacy and Free Speech - It's Good for Business Graphic

ACLU Guide: How Companies Can Protect Privacy and Free Speech Read More

Blog

Real Changes to Facebook's 'Real Name' Policy

December 18, 2015

File Under :

Free Speech, LGBT Equality, Technology and Civil Liberties

Facebook just announced concrete changes to its harmful “real name” policy. Following up on its promise to groups including the ACLU of California, the changes are meant to reduce risks such as abusive reporting and lockouts of users and their... Read more »

Blog

Detention for Long Hair?

December 11, 2015

File Under :

Education Equity, Free Speech, LGBT Equality, Racial Justice

Never has it been more important for students to know their rights, especially in the face of increasing police presence in our schools. Look no further than what happened in Columbia, South Carolina last month, where video footage showed a school... Read more »

Blog

Facebook Commits to Changing Its Real Name Policy

October 30, 2015

File Under :

Free Speech, LGBT Equality, Technology and Civil Liberties

In response to the demands of a global coalition, Facebook announced changes on Oct. 30 to its user name policy designed to reduce abusive targeting and increase due process for users. Read more »

Article

Campaign Finance Dialogue

File Under :

Economic Justice, Free Speech

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United in January 2010 changed our nation’s campaign finance laws in dramatic ways. Today, the topic of campaign financing is especially important as citizens across the nation are deciding who will... Read more

Blog

After Citizens United: Where Do We Go?

October 29, 2015

File Under :

Economic Justice, Free Speech

I joined the ACLU of Northern California staff as Executive Director in April 2009 during the period of arguments in the U.S. Supreme Court in Citizens United v. FEC. Read more »

Case

Doe v. Harris (Internet Free Speech)

File Under :

Criminal Justice and Drug Policy, Free Speech, Privacy and Government Surveillance, Technology and Civil Liberties

A federal class-action lawsuit brought by the ACLU Foundation of Northern California to block implementation of unconstitutional provisions of a ballot measure that restricts the protected speech of sex offenders registered in California. Read more

Blog

Facebook, It's Time to Fix Your Real Names Policy

October 5, 2015

File Under :

Free Speech, LGBT Equality, Technology and Civil Liberties

What’s in a name? If you ask Facebook, it’s the text on a driver’s license or a formal document like a utility bill or library card. Read more »

Your Rights: Student Social Media Rights

Issues :

Education Equity, Free Speech, Privacy and Government Surveillance

When you're at school, you have the right to be treated fairly and with respect by other students and school officials, including everyone from custodians to teachers. Read more

Your Rights: Student Expression

Issues :

Education Equity, Free Speech

When you're at school, you have the right to be treated fairly and with respect by other students and school officials, including everyone from custodians to teachers. You have the right to be yourself. Read more

Know Your Rights: School Dress Codes and Uniforms

Issues :

Economic Justice, Education Equity, Free Speech

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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Knowledge is power. When you know your rights you can better protect yourself, your family, and your community. En español

Free Speech

ACLU responds to excessive force used on protesters. Read more

ACLU defends "I can't breathe" t-shirts at school... Read more

Your free speech rights at demonstrations and protests. Know Your Rights

ACLU Guide: How Companies Can Protect Privacy and Free Speech Read More

Real Changes to Facebook's 'Real Name' Policy

Detention for Long Hair?

Facebook Commits to Changing Its Real Name Policy

Campaign Finance Dialogue

After Citizens United: Where Do We Go?

Doe v. Harris (Internet Free Speech)

Facebook, It's Time to Fix Your Real Names Policy

Your Rights: Student Social Media Rights

Your Rights: Student Expression

Know Your Rights: School Dress Codes and Uniforms

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Free Speech

ACLU responds to excessive force used on protesters. Read more

ACLU defends "I can't breathe" t-shirts at school... Read more

Your free speech rights at demonstrations and protests. Know Your Rights

ACLU Guide: How Companies Can Protect Privacy and Free Speech Read More

Pages

IN THE COURTS