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Federal Court Upholds Voting Rights Of Alaska Natives Who Need Language Assistance (07/31/2008)
ANCHORAGE — Late yesterday, a federal court ordered Alaska's state and local elections officials to provide effective language assistance to citizens who speak Yup'ik, the primary language of a majority of voters in the Bethel region of Alaska. The victory came in a legal challenge brought by Native American Rights Fund (NARF) and the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of four Alaska Natives and four tribal governments.

Alaska Natives and ACLU Sue Over Voting Rights Violations in Bethel (06/11/2007)
ANCHORAGE — The Native American Rights Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union, acting on behalf of four Bethel-area Alaska Natives, filed a federal lawsuit today charging state and local elections officials with ongoing violations of the federal Voting Rights Act. The groups charge that state and local officials have denied voter assistance and failed to provide oral language assistance and voting materials to citizens who primarily speak Yup’ik, the first language of many Alaska Natives in the Bethel region.

ACLU Announces Multi-State Action Calling on Government to Fix Medical Inaccuracies in Federally Funded Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Curricula (05/09/2007)
NEW YORK – The American Civil Liberties Union today announced a multi-state action calling on the federal government to fix medical inaccuracies in federally funded abstinence-only-until-marriage curricula. Eleven ACLU affiliates sent letters to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) alerting the agency to problematic curricula in their states and asking HHS to take steps to remedy the situation.

ACLU Urges Supreme Court Not to Abandon Landmark Student Free Speech Ruling (03/19/2007)
WASHINGTON – The American Civil Liberties Union today urged the U.S. Supreme Court not to abandon its famous 1969 ruling that students do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.”

Student in Supreme Court Free Speech Case Speaks About Suspension Over "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" Banner (03/02/2007)
NEW YORK - In a teleconference with reporters today, 23-year-old Joseph Frederick spoke publicly for the first time in more than a year about his challenge to a 2002 high school suspension for displaying a sign saying "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" at an off-campus event not sponsored by the school.

ACLU Asks Alaska Court to Strike Down Unconstitutional Marijuana Law (06/30/2006)
JUNEAU, AK – The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska today filed legal papers urging a court to strike down as unconstitutional a newly enacted law criminalizing adults’ possession of small amounts of marijuana in the privacy of their homes. A hearing on the matter has been set for Wednesday, July 5, in state Superior Court in Juneau, Alaska.

ACLU of Alaska Says Tax Exemption Favors Religious Groups Over Other Charitable Organizations (06/12/2006)
ANCHORAGE -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska and two Anchorage residents today filed a lawsuit to overturn State House Bill 334, which gives religious groups a special property tax exemption that is not available to other charitable organizations.

ACLU Files Lawsuit to Protect Privacy Rights of Alaskans After Governor Signs Unconstitutional Marijuana Law (06/05/2006)
JUNEAU, AK - The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska today filed a state constitutional challenge to a newly enacted law criminalizing adults’ possession of small amounts of marijuana in the privacy of their homes. The ACLU of Alaska’s lawsuit seeks an immediate court order blocking enforcement of the law and an eventual ruling permanently striking down the legislation as unconstitutional.

ACLU of Alaska Hails Court Ruling Affirming Student’s Free Speech Rights (03/10/2006)
ANCHORAGE – In a case brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska, a federal appeals court today strongly affirmed the free speech rights of a Juneau high school student who was suspended in 2002 for displaying a sign saying “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” at an off-campus event not sponsored by the school.

Unanimous Alaska Supreme Court Says It Is Unconstitutional to Deny Equal Benefits to Lesbian and Gay State Employees (10/28/2005)
ANCHORAGE - In a unanimous decision today, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional for the state to continue to deny lesbian and gay state employees and retirees access to equal benefits for their domestic partners. The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Alaska, which brought the challenge, cheered the decision as an important victory for same-sex couples and their families.

ACLU of Alaska Applauds Supreme Court Decision Upholding Political Parties' Right to Combine Primaries (08/12/2005)
ANCHORAGE -The American Civil Liberties Uion of Alaska today welcomed a state Supreme Court decision upholding the right of political parties in Alaska to conduct joint primaries.

ACLU of Alaska Appeals State University's Refusal to Admit Ex-Felon to Social Work Program (07/01/2005)
ANCHORAGE -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska today filed an appeal on behalf of Micheal Purcell, a University of Alaska-Anchorage student and former prisoner who was denied entry into the social work program due solely to his past criminal convictions. ACLU of Alaska attorneys say the school's denial of entry to a model student constitutes a violation of Purcell's right to rehabilitation under the Alaska Constitution.

ACLU of Alaska Calls on Attorney General to Clarify State's Commitment to Uphold Medical Marijuana Statute (06/16/2005)
JUNEAU, AK - The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska announced today that it has submitted a letter to the state attorney general's office requesting public acknowledgment of the continued validity of the state's medical marijuana law. The letter comes after newly appointed Alaska Attorney General David W. Márquez last week announced that the state's medical marijuana law was under review and could be declared inoperative following the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Gonzales v. Raich.

Alaska Superior Court Judge Affirms Right Of Accused To Interview Witnesses (05/12/2005)
ANCHORAGE -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska today lauded a court ruling striking down part of a decades-old law that required defense representatives to get written releases before interviewing witnesses and prohibiting them from taping interviews. The court also upheld provisions that merely require defense counsel to advise victims verbally that they have the right not to answer questions.

ACLU of Alaska Seeks Court Order to Stop State from Publicizing Private Information of Licensed Nurses (04/18/2005)
ANCHORAGE -- Acting on behalf of a local nurse, the Alaska affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union today filed a lawsuit seeking to bar state officials from publishing contact information for licensed nurses in its online searchable database, on its website, or on informational CDs.

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Restore Civil Liberties Post 9/11; AkCLU and Broad-Based Coalition of Alaskans Applaud the "Protecting the Rights of Individuals" Act (08/01/2003)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska today joined with organizations and Alaskans from across the political spectrum in welcoming the introduction of a bipartisan bill aimed at correcting some of the most troubling provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.

Alaska Bars State Participation in Intrusive Federal Security Measures: Legislators Say "No" to Abuses Under the PATRIOT Act (05/22/2003)
ANCHORAGE - The Alaska Civil Liberties Union today applauded passage of House Joint Resolution 22 by the state legislature enforcing the protection of individual liberties for all Alaskans in the face of intrusive federal actions taken since 9/11. The pro-civil liberties resolution makes Alaska the strongest critic of the federal government's controversial USA PATRIOT Act and initiates policies prohibiting enforcement of the law at the state level.

Local Resolution Movement Goes Statewide: Alaska State Legislature Considering Civil Liberties Protection Measure (04/03/2003)
ANCHORAGE - The Alaska Civil Liberties Union (AkCLU) today urged the State Legislature to pass a joint resolution that affirms the individual rights and liberties of all Alaskans and calls for the repeal of the most egregious provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.

ACLU Urges Alaska Supreme Court to Grant Lesbian and Gay Employees Partnership Benefits (12/16/2002)
ANCHORAGE -- The American Civil Liberties Union today urged the Alaska Supreme Court to grant lesbian and gay employees of the state and of Anchorage the option of obtaining health, pension and life insurance benefits for their partners. The lawsuit highlights the "Catch-22" of a law which denies lesbians and gay men the option to marry but guarantees special employment benefits only to married employees.

As Gay Partner Benefits Case Goes To Alaska High Court, Uninsured Woman Comes Forward Illustrating 'Catch-22' (05/22/2002)
ANCHORAGE, AK - The American Civil Liberties Union filed an appeal today in the Alaska Supreme Court in a case challenging the ""Catch-22" of the state banning gay marriage and then saying marriage is the only way its employees can get benefits for their partners.  

ACLU Files Lawsuit Challenging Alaska School District's Censorship of Student's Off-Campus Speech (04/25/2002)
JUNEAU, AK--The Alaska Civil Liberties Union today filed a lawsuit in federal district court against a high school principal and the Juneau School Board for violating the free speech rights of a student after he displayed a banner off school property saying, "Bong Hits 4 Jesus." The student was suspended for 10 days. 

In Victory for Alaska Natives and Other Non-English Speakers, Court Declares English-Only Law Unconstitutional (03/22/2002)
DILLINGHAM, AK--A state court today struck down Alaska's English-Only law, saying that it prevents government officials from communicating with the public in violation of basic free speech rights. 

In a Victory for Poor Women, Alaska High Court Blocks State from Denying Aid for Medically Necessary Abortions (07/27/2001)
ANCHORAGE - In a resounding victory for poor women throughout the state, the Alaska Supreme Court unanimously held today that denying Medicaid coverage for medically necessary abortions while funding prenatal care and childbirth is discriminatory.

Federal Court Ruling Allows Alaska Library to Reinstall Censored Gay Pride Exhibit (07/03/2001)
ANCHORAGE--A federal court judge ruled today that until a trial on the constitutional issues can be held, a "Celebrate Diversity" exhibit on gay pride can be reinstalled in the Loussac Public Library. 

Alaska ACLU Challenges Anchorage Mayor's Removal of Gay Pride Exhibit from Library (06/13/2001)
ANCHORAGE-- The Alaska Civil Liberties Union today asked a local court to restore a gay pride exhibit in a local library, saying that the Mayor's removal of the exhibit violates Alaskans' free speech rights under state and federal law.

Gay and Lesbian Partners Seek State Benefits (04/18/2001)
ANCHORAGE, AK -- Attorneys for nine gay and lesbian public employees and their domestic partners argued in Anchorage Superior Court Tuesday that it is unconstitutional for the state and the Municipality of Anchorage to deny them health insurance and pension benefits equal to those married couples receive, the Anchorage Daily News reported. According to the Daily News, the lawsuit, filed in 1999 by the Alaska Civil Liberties Union and the national ACLU's Lesbian and Gay Rights Project, represents the interests of eight lesbian couples in which at least one partner works for the state. The other couple consists of two gay men, one of whom is a city employee.

Hearing Tomorrow in Alaska's Gay Marriage 'Catch-22' Could Impact Other States that Tie Benefits to Marriage (04/16/2001)
ANCHORAGE - An Alaska state court will hear arguments tomorrow in a lawsuit highlighting the "Catch-22" of a state banning gay marriage and then saying marriage is the only way its employees can get health, pension and insurance benefits for their partners. 

Alaska Court Strikes Down Curfew Law as Violation of Parents and Childrens' Constitutional Rights (03/22/2001)
ANCHORAGE--Moving to protect the rights of parents to rear their children free from unwarranted government intrusion and the rights of innocent teenagers to travel at night without being given criminal citations, a local court here struck down the city's curfew ordinance. 

Alaska to Expand DNA Collection (03/07/2001)
ANCHORAGE, AK--In the hopes of curtailing violent crime, Alaskan lawmakers have proposed expanding the state DNA registry to include samples from convicted burglars, the Associated Press reported.

In Light of Yesterday's U.S. Supreme Court Ruling, Alaska Attorney General Withdraws Appeal in Alaska Civil Liberties Union Case, Lets Stand Lower Court Ruling That So-Called "Partial Birth" Abortion Ban is Unconstitutional (06/29/2000)
ANCHORAGE -- The Alaska Civil Liberties Union today applauded the State's decision to withdraw its pending appeal in the Alaska Supreme Court and let stand a Superior Court ruling that Alaska's statute banning so-called "partial birth" abortions is unconstitutional. Hours after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a similar Nebraska law yesterday, Alaska's Attorney General Bruce Botelho announced that he would withdraw the State's appeal in the AkCLU's case. Botelho told the Fairbanks Daily News Miner, "It is my view that the decision striking down the Nebraska law has direct implications for Alaska's law. Consequently, I am instructing our attorneys to dismiss our appeal."

U.S. Supreme Court protects women's health, strikes down Nebraska law banning abortion procedures ? Similar ACLU challenge pending in Alaska Supreme Court. (06/28/2000)
ANCHORAGE -- In a ruling likely to have ramifications in a pending Alaska court case, the United States Supreme Court today struck down Nebraska's ban on vaguely-defined abortion procedures as unconstitutional. Joining the overwhelming majority of lower courts around the country to have ruled on this issue, the Court denounced the Nebraska ban's sweeping prohibition on safe and common abortion methods as depriving women of their constitutional rights and endangering their health.

ACLU Lawsuit Seeks Equal Benefits for Alaska's Gay and Lesbian Employees (10/27/1999)
ANCHORAGE -- Saying that gay and lesbian couples should not be treated like second-class citizens, the Alaska Civil Liberties Union today filed suit on behalf of itself and eight lesbian or gay state and municipal employees and their partners who are barred from sharing the health, pension and insurance privileges that they earn from their government jobs.