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.
Armed Forces to Submit Plans for Implementing Repeal of Ban on Women in Combat
May 15, 2013
The branches of the armed forces are expected to submit plans to the Department of Defense today describing how they will integrate women into combat positions following the repeal of the ban on women serving in combat units. The ACLU filed a lawsuit against the department last year challenging the combat ban on behalf of the Service Women's Action Network and four women who served in Iraq or Afgh...
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California Makes Historic Leap to Bring Millions into the Democratic Process
May 15, 2013
In a move that leads the nation in reducing barriers and expanding opportunities for voter registration, California’s Secretary of State, Debra Bowen, is designating the state’s new Health Benefit Exchange, Covered California, as a voter registration agency under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). In doing so, Covered California will reach millions of Californians who might not otherwise ...
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Important Voting Rights Bill Clears Assembly Elections Committee
May 07, 2013
A bill that would uphold the constitutional right to vote for people sentenced under realignment was approved today by the California Assembly’s Elections and Redistricting Committee. The bill, A.B. 938, would make clear that all people in county custody retain their right to vote.
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California Senate Approves Common Sense Drug Sentencing Reform Bill
May 02, 2013
SACRAMENTO – The California state Senate today approved a bill that would reform California’s drug sentencing laws for simple possession, significantly reduce incarceration costs for counties and help the state end its ongoing incarceration crisis.S.B. 649, the Local Control in Sentencing Act, authored by Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), was approved by the Senate in a 23-14 vote, and moves now t...
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Important Drug Sentencing Reform Bill Clears Senate Public Safety Committee
Apr 23, 2013
A bill that would reform California’s drug sentencing laws for simple possession and significantly reduce incarceration costs for counties cleared an important legislative hurdle Tuesday. SB 649, authored by Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), was approved by the Senate Public Safety Committee on a 4-2 vote, and moves now to the full Senate for consideration.
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School Success and Opportunity Act Passes Assembly Education Committee
Apr 17, 2013
Sacramento – The School Success and Opportunity Act (AB 1266), authored by Assemblymember Tom Ammiano, has passed the Assembly Education Committee by a vote of 5-2.The School Success and Opportunity Act addresses the exclusion of transgender students from classes and activities, and clarifies existing anti-discrimination law to provide clear protections to transgender students."Today we are one st...
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Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds Caltrans Equal Opportunity Program
Apr 16, 2013
A federal appeals court today ruled that the California Department of Transportation’s equal opportunity program for contracting businesses fairly and constitutionally ensures that minority- and women-owned businesses have equal ground to compete for federal contracts.
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Spring 2013 ACLU News
Apr 15, 2013
Download the Spring 2013 ACLU of Northern California Newsletter and read about our latest events and initiatives.
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AB 154: California Moves to Improve Abortion Access
Apr 09, 2013
This morning the Assembly Business, Professions and Consumer Protection Committee voted to pass AB 154 – the Early Access to Abortion Bill – by a vote of 9 to 4. The bill is expected to move to the Assembly Health Committee later this month.
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ACLU Lawsuit Challenges Warrantless Searches of Cell Phones
Mar 20, 2013
Today, the ACLU of Northern California filed suit against the City and County of San Francisco and San Francisco Police Chief Gregory Suhr on behalf of a civil rights activist, Bob Offer-Westort, whose cell phone was searched by the San Francisco Police Department without a warrant after he was arrested while engaging in peaceful civil disobedience.
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Bill Will Ensure the Success and Well-being of Transgender Students
Mar 04, 2013
Assemblymember Tom Ammiano has introduced the School Success and Opportunity Act, Assembly Bill 1266, co-authored by Senator Mark Leno and Senator Ricardo Lara. The bill will ensure that California public schools understand their responsibility for the success and well-being of all students, including transgender students, and will allow transgender students to fully participate in all school acti...
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California Lawmakers to Consider Bill Enacting Important Drug Sentencing Reform
Feb 27, 2013
Sacramento – Sen. Mark Leno has introduced new legislation, sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union of California and a mber of other organizations, that reforms California’s drug sentencing laws for simple possession.The bill, SB 649, allows counties to significantly reduce incarceration costs by giving prosecutors the flexibility to charge low-level drug possession for personal use as a ...
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