![dissent is patriotic signs](/sites/default/files/styles/listing_hero_small/public/2019-12/Dissent%20News%20Alternative_0.jpg?h=aa8471a5&itok=F1SkfzPF)
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 Sues ICE Contractor, Calls for Investigation of Abuse of Women Immigrants
May 21, 2019
SAN FRANCISCO — The ACLU Foundation of Northern California and Goodwin Procter LLP today filed a lawsuit against ICE transportation contractor G4S Secure Solutions on behalf of four women in ICE custody who were shackled by their hands and feet, then forced to ride in a boiling, windowless van for hours with no food, water, medication or toilet access.
The suit is seeking damages for the women’...
Read More
California Legislature Caves to Big Tech Pressure Again and Undermines Consumer Privacy Rights
May 16, 2019
SACRAMENTO — Today, the California Senate Appropriations Committee refused to advance SB 561, a bill that would allow Californians to hold tech companies accountable for privacy violations. SB 561 is authored by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, at the request of Attorney General Becerra, and supported by consumer and privacy advocates.
“The legislature just put Big Tech before Californians by killi...
Read More
San Francisco Board of Supervisors Approves Historic Face Surveillance Ban and Oversight Law
May 14, 2019
SAN FRANCISCO — Today, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed the Stop Secret Surveillance Ordinance, a historic law that brings accountability and oversight to surveillance technology and makes San Francisco the first city in the United States to prohibit government use of face surveillance systems. The law was authored by Supervisor Aaron Peskin.
In response to today’s vote, the coali...
Read More
ACLU Statement on Unanimous Vote to Advance San Francisco Surveillance Oversight Law and Facial Recognition Ban
May 06, 2019
SAN FRANCISCO — Today, the San Francisco Rules Committee unanimously voted to advance the Stop Secret Surveillance ordinance, a bill that requires that there be public notice, clear use policies, and a vote by the Board of Supervisors before a city department can acquire surveillance technology. The ordinance also prevents city departments from using face surveillance technology.
The ordinance ...
Read More
Spring 2019 ACLU News
Apr 24, 2019
Download the Spring 2019 ACLU of Northern California Newsletter and read about our latest events and initiatives.
Read More
Advocates, Families of People Killed by California Police Claim Victory on Use of Force Legislation
Apr 23, 2019
SACRAMENTO — Today, the California Senate Public Safety Committee voted to pass Senate Bill 230 with substantial amendments, including an amendment requiring that SB 230’s passage be contingent on the passage of AB 392: The California Act to Save Lives.
AB 392 was introduced by Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) to change California’s use of force standard from the “reasonable” standard...
Read More
California Assembly Privacy Committee Kills Consumer Privacy Bill and Only Hears Tech-Sponsored Bills
Apr 23, 2019
SACRAMENTO — Today, the California Assembly Privacy Committee will hear only consumer privacy bills promoted by tech companies to weaken the California Consumer Privacy Act. This comes after AB 1760, a bill to strengthen privacy protections authored by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks and sponsored by civil rights organizations and digital privacy advocates was pulled when committee members would not to...
Read More
Ninth Circuit Decision Defeats Trump; CA to Remain a Sanctuary State
Apr 18, 2019
SAN FRANCISCO — Today, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the Trump administration's attempt to suspend the California law SB 54 that limits local and state law enforcement from acting as deportation agents. The ACLU of California, which supported the law — also known as the California Values Act — applauds the court's decision. Please attribute the following quote to Maria Romani, I...
Read More
ACLU Statement on California Attorney General’s Refusal to Release Police Records Despite Court Ruling
Apr 05, 2019
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, the state’s top law enforcement official, is refusing to follow the law that he has been sworn to uphold. It has been a week now since a court of appeal in Contra Costa County ruled that law enforcement agencies must release records prior to January 1 under California’s police transparency law. The judges found the legal challenge by police unions to be ...
Read More
Civil Rights Groups Prevail in Lawsuit to Require Secretary of State to Improve Voter Registration Opportunities
Apr 03, 2019
SAN FRANCISCO – On Friday, civil rights groups prevailed in their lawsuit against Secretary of State Alex Padilla to expand voter registration at agencies in the state that serve people on public assistance and individuals with disabilities. San Francisco County Superior Court Judge Ethan P. Schulman ruled (see ruling) Padilla must require voter registration at additional agencies and contractors ...
Read More
ACLU Comment on Letter from Top A.I. Experts Demanding Amazon Stop Selling Facial Recognition to Law Enforcement
Apr 03, 2019
Today, 25 top A.I. researchers called on Amazon to stop selling facial recognition technology to law enforcement.
In response, Matt Cagle, Technology and Civil Liberties Attorney at the ACLU of Northern California, released the following statement:
This call by top A.I. experts adds a new and uniquely authoritative voice to the chorus of consumers, shareholders, policymakers, and civil right...
Read More
ACLU Files Complaint with Department of Homeland Security Over Unwarranted Interrogation and Attempted Device Search
Apr 02, 2019
SAN FRANCISCO – Today the ACLU Foundation of Northern California (ACLU-NC) filed a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on behalf of Andreas Gal who, on November 29, 2018, was subjected to interrogation and retaliation by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for questioning the unwarranted search of his electronic devices. T...
Read More