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Detention for Long Hair?

Dec 11, 2015
Never has it been more important for students to know their rights, especially in the face of increasing police presence in our schools.Look no further than what happened in Columbia, South Carolina last month, where video footage showed a school officer grabbing a student from her desk and throwing her to the ground.Introducing our newest campaign: My School, My Rights!This story is what we'... Read More
Dec. 14 press conference - Sup. David Campos speaking in front of SF City Hall
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ACLU Joins San Francisco Residents in Opposing New Jail

Dec 14, 2015
Rather than sinking more resources into incarceration, San Francisco should invest in smart approaches to crime prevention and public safety. Building a new jail will duplicate the mistakes of the past and exacerbate the failings of our current system. Read More
Cell phone in hands with Black Lives Matter protest on screen.
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This Surveillance Software is Probably Spying on #BlackLivesMatter

Dec 15, 2015
We just got a pile of public records from the police department in Fresno, California. Fresno police have been using several different brands of social media surveillance software – all without the public’s consent. What’s worse, the ACLU has discovered that Fresno police have been using an especially offensive piece of software called MediaSonar, which encourages the police to identify “threats t... Read More
this is sex ed? (a fireplace)
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Sex Will Burn You, and Other WTF Moments from Abstinence-Only Sex Ed

Dec 16, 2015
Used tape. A dirty toothbrush. A rose with no petals. A chewed up piece of gum. The list goes on. Abstinence-only sex ed programs are notorious for using tragically bad sex metaphors to push their harmful agenda. Parents in Redding, California recently learned that their eighth-graders’ school would be teaching that “sex is like a fire” —dangerous and scary, outside the “fireplace” of marriage. Read More
Dorsey Nunn accepting the Chief Justice Earl Warren Award at Bill of Rights Day.
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The Humanity of Dorsey Nunn

Dec 18, 2015
I'm one of these brothers that have been through the front gates of San Quentin and the front gates of the White House, and I can't necessarily say that was a short stroll. I wish I could say it was an easy thing to do. Read More
anonymous speech graphic
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Real Changes to Facebook's 'Real Name' Policy

Dec 18, 2015
Facebook just announced concrete changes to its harmful “real name” policy. Following up on its promise to groups including the ACLU of California, the changes are meant to reduce risks such as abusive reporting and lockouts of users and their speech from the site. Read More
It's time to repeal the Maximum Family Grant rule
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A Holiday Wish: Gov. Brown, Repeal the Maximum Family Grant Rule

Dec 23, 2015
Dear Governor Brown:While the holidays can be the most magical time of the year for some families – a time to reflect, connect, and give – the holidays can be the toughest time of year for families that are living in deep poverty.Unfortunately, for more than 20 years, California has maintained a policy of denying financial support to babies born while their families are receiving CalWORKs basic ne... Read More