Archive

Logo for the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Blog

Human Rights and the US Constitution

Dec 11, 2023
The 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is an opportunity to redouble our commitment to its principles worldwide. For those individuals and organizations whose focus is human rights within the United States, we are called to do two things. First, rather than cede the US Constitution to powerful forces who would use it to turn back the clock, we must embrace a visio... Read More
House keys over a heart with the text "Tell Mayor Breed: Affordable Housing is the only real solution to SF's homelessness crisis"
Action

To End Homelessness, San Francisco Needs More Affordable Housing

Nov 29, 2023
ACLU NorCal has gone to court to stop San Francisco from wasting millions of tax dollars arresting our unhoused neighbors instead of meaningfully addressing the City's affordable housing crisis. Tell Mayor London Breed and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to settle the lawsuit and focus on the real solutions to homelessness: expanded access to temporary shelter and more affordable housing. Read More
Sheriff's vehicle
Blog

Why Every County Needs Civilian Oversight of its Local Sheriff's Department

Nov 28, 2023
A State law that took effect in 2021 gave counties the authority to establish civilian oversight boards to assist supervisors in overseeing sheriffs’ offices. However, the law does not require counties to create civilian boards. That’s why the ACLU of Northern California is helping to educate community members about the fact that this law exists. And we are supporting individual counties that wish... Read More
colorful dried corncobs
Blog

Cultivating Authentic and Respectful Thanksgiving Traditions

Nov 22, 2023
Every year on Thanksgiving Day, people across the country gather with loved ones to share a special meal. This breaking-of-bread-style holiday is a well-known ritual, but for many of us, continuing to participate in Thanksgiving with integrity means breaking with traditions that rely on fictionalized accounts of history. Read More
ACLU of Northern CA
News

In Response to Lawsuit, Santa Clara Superior Court Takes Step to Change Policy Discriminating Against Poor Defendants

Nov 13, 2023
The new policy allows a defendant with an active arrest warrant to schedule an initial court appearance through their attorney regardless of their financial means. Someone who can’t afford bail must still appear at the jail for an informal booking. However they won’t be taken into custody. Once in court, a judge makes an individualized determination about whether that person should remain out of c... Read More
ACLU of Northern CA
News

San Francisco Attempts to “Judge Shop” In High-Profile Homelessness Case

Oct 10, 2023
The ACLU of Northern California and the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area filed a brief opposing the city of San Francisco's request to reassign the Coalition on Homelessness case to a judge who handled a case regarding the city's response to street homelessness that was dismissed and closed three years ago. Read More
ACLU of Northern CA
News

San Francisco Continues to Defy Injunction, Fails to Train Workers Charged with Clearing Homeless Encampments

Oct 06, 2023
In August, the court asked San Francisco to identify how it has trained staff to ensure the city is following a preliminary injunction preventing it from illegally destroying unhoused residents’ property. The city's only training tool is a brief presentation that does not meaningfully explain the procedures public works employees must follow when handling people's belongings. Read More