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 Over Failing Public Defense System in Fresno County, California

Jul 15, 2015

The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, the ACLU’s Criminal Law Reform Project, and the law firm Paul Hastings LLP filed a lawsuit against Fresno County and the state of California, seeking an overhaul of the county’s deficient public defense system. Because public defenders do not receive the resources necessary to represent their clients, thousands of Fresno County residents a... Read More

Racial Profiling Bill Moves Forward in California Legislature

Jul 07, 2015

Today Assembly Bill 953, Law Enforcement: Racial Profiling, made it out of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. AB 953, one of over 20 police reform laws proposed this year, was introduced by Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) to curb racial and identity profiling in California. Read More

Coalition Prepared to Fight Ballot Initiative Targeting Transgender Californians

Jun 23, 2015

Privacy for All is a new coalition formed to battle a proposed "bathroom policing" ballot initiative that would target people who don't fit gender stereotypes for interrogation and exclusion. Read More

Racial Profiling Bill Heads to California Senate

Jun 03, 2015

Today the state Assembly approved a police reform bill that would collect basic information about encounters the police have with Californians. Assembly members voted 41 to 23 to pass Assembly Bill 953, Law Enforcement: Racial Profiling. Read More

Native American Student Wins Right to Wear Eagle Feather at Graduation

Jun 03, 2015

Native American Student Challenges Ban on Ceremonial Feathers During Graduation

Jun 01, 2015

Preliminary Settlement in Federal Class Action Lawsuit Over Conditions at Monterey County Jail

May 11, 2015

SALINAS, Calif. – Lawyers for all parties in Hernandez v. County of Monterey announced today that they have reached a preliminary comprehensive settlement in the class action lawsuit filed in May 2013 in federal court in San Jose regarding conditions at the Monterey County Jail. The settlement was approved by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, California Forensic Medical Group (CFMG),... Read More

Historic Ruling in ACLU Lawsuit: Abstinence-Only Sex Ed Violated State Law

May 06, 2015

A Fresno County Superior Court judge has ruled that a lawsuit brought against the Clovis Unified School District was justified because the District’s sex education curriculum was out of compliance with California state law. The suit, American Academy of Pediatrics, et al. v. Clovis Unified School District, was brought on behalf of parents, physicians and the Gay-Straight Alliance Network by the AC... Read More

ACLU of California Releases Tool to Hold Law Enforcement Accountable

Apr 30, 2015

The ACLU of California today launched Mobile Justice CA, a free smart phone app allowing Californians to automatically record and submit cell phone videos to their ACLU affiliate when they feel law enforcement officers are violating civil rights. Read More