Hundreds Testify On California’s Death Penalty Methods

On June 30, Californians weighed in on the state’s broken death penalty system in the first-ever public hearing on capital punishment methods in the state. The hearing comes after three years without executions in California. After voicing their opinion on the execution procedures, concerned taxpayers will also call on the Governor to end the death penalty altogether and save the state millions. California has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on the death penalty system, and stands poised to spend another $1 billion over the next five years. Read More »

Antioch Unified School District and ACLU Reach Settlement
ANTIOCH— Through a settlement reached with the ACLU of Northern California, the Antioch Unified School District has agreed to undertake a comprehensive series of steps designed to prevent discrimination against African American and Latino students in school discipline; ensure that school administrators and staff protect students from race-based harassment by their peers; and stem the over-involvement of police officers in the handling of student misconduct, among other goals outlined in the settlement. The settlement agreement was ratified by the district's board at the June 24th board meeting. Read More »

Defense Dept. Policy Regards Lawful Protests As "Low-Level Terrorism"
Anti-terrorism training materials used by the Department of Defense teach its personnel that free expression in the form of public protests should be regarded as "low level terrorism." ACLU attorneys are calling the approach "an egregious insult to constitutional values" and have sent a letter to the DoD demanding that the offending materials be changed. "It is fundamentally wrong to equate activism with terrorism," said ACLU-NC attorney Ann Brick. Read More »

Fresno Hospital Discriminates Against Lesbian Couple
Teresa Rowe and Kristin Orbin attended the “Meet in the Middle” rally in support of marriage for same-sex couples in Fresno. After the couple completed a 14-mile march in 90 degree heat, Kristin, who suffers from epilepsy, collapsed in a seizure. At the hospital, Teresa was barred from visiting her partner and giving advice about her treatment at a Fresno hospital. The ACLU sent a letter to the hospital today urging that it adopt policy changes respecting same-sex relationships. Read More »