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ACLU Asks Court To Strike Down Arkansas Parenting Ban (12/30/2008)
LITTLE ROCK - The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit today seeking to strike down a new law that bans any unmarried person who lives with a partner from serving as an adoptive or foster parent in the state of Arkansas.

Appeals Court Sides with ACLU, Finds Watson Chapel Students' Free Speech Rights Violated (09/02/2008)
LITTLE ROCK — Today the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the decision of a federal judge in finding that the Watson Chapel School District (WCSD) violated the First Amendment rights of students when they disciplined them for wearing black armbands to protest the student apparel policy. In October 2006 the ACLU of Arkansas filed suit against WCSD alleging the district violated the free speech rights of those students and a federal judge agreed. The school district appealed to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, and today that Court upheld the lower court's ruling. The Court said that by winning this lawsuit, the student plaintiffs did something "that benefitted all of the students in the school" and "vindicated" students' right to free speech.

ACLU of Arkansas Applauds Decision by Arkansas Technical University President to Lift Ban on Showing Sondheim-Weidman Musical, “Assassins” (02/29/2008)
Little Rock, Arkansas – Today the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas applauded the decision by Arkansas Technical University President Robert Brown to lift the ban he had imposed on the Theater Department showing the Sondheim-Weidman musical, “Assassins.” Dr. Brown first announced he would permit only one closed performance of the musical for family members of the cast. He later postponed the play indefinitely, “out of respect for the families of victims” of shootings at other campuses, because of the play’s “portrayal of graphically violent scenes.” The University later indicated that concerns about security issues that might be raised by the sounds of gunfire in the production prompted the postponement.

ACLU of Arkansas Sets the Record Straight on Anti-Gay Adoption and Foster Care Bill Headed to Senate (03/12/2007)
LITTLE ROCK, AR – The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas condemns the decision of an Arkansas Senate committee this morning to send to the floor SB 959, a bill that would ban gay people and most unmarried heterosexual couples who live together from adopting or serving as foster parents.

ACLU of Arkansas Decries Adoption and Foster Care Bill as Anti-Gay and Anti-Child (03/05/2007)
LITTLE ROCK, AR – The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas today firmly denounced a bill introduced to the Arkansas State Legislature that would ban gay people and most unmarried heterosexual couples who live together from adopting or serving as foster parents. The bill was introduced today, just months after the state supreme court unanimously struck down a ban on fostering by gay people.

ACLU of Arkansas Says Watson Chapel School Dress Code Violates Free Speech (02/22/2007)
LITTLE ROCK, AR - The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas filed papers in federal court today charging that the dress code policy of the Watson Chapel School District violates the free expression rights of students. The move comes in a lawsuit brought by the ACLU on behalf of Watson Chapel students who were disciplined for wearing black armbands to protest the school dress code and its harsh, inconsistent enforcement.

National ACLU Director Anthony Romero to Speak at Arkansas Banquet (11/07/2006)
LITTLE ROCK - The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas will host national ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero at its annual banquet here tomorrow night. State Representative Joyce Elliott will be honored at the banquet as Civil Libertarian of the Year for her work to protect civil rights and ensure equality for all Arkansans.

Arkansas Students Can Wear Armbands as Form of Protest, Federal Judge Rules (10/19/2006)
PINE BLUFF, AR -- In a victory for students’ free speech rights, federal Judge Leon Holmes ruled that students may wear black armbands to protest the restrictive uniform policy imposed by the Watson Chapel School District. The decision comes in a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas charging that the school district violated the Constitution by suspending and punishing students who wore the armbands to school during a day of protest.

Arkansas Students Wrongly Punished for Wearing Armbands to School, According to ACLU Lawsuit (10/10/2006)
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas today filed a federal lawsuit charging that the Watson Chapel school district violated students’ free speech rights by suspending students for wearing black armbands in opposition to the school uniform policy.

ACLU of Arkansas and State Green Party Win in Third Party Ballot Access Case (08/23/2006)
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- A federal judge in Little Rock today agreed with the American Civil Liberties Union that Arkansas’ rule for getting third party candidates on the ballot is unconstitutional.

ACLU of Arkansas Takes Ballot Access Case to Federal Court on Behalf of Green Party Candidates (08/17/2006)
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas made its case in federal court today for Arkansas to officially recognize the state Green Party. At stake is access to the ballot for third party candidates and preservation of free public political dialogue.

Arkansas Supreme Court Unanimously Overturns Ban on Foster Parenting by Gay People (06/29/2006)
LITTLE ROCK, AR – In a unanimous decision cheered by child welfare advocates nationwide, the Arkansas Supreme Court today struck down a regulation that banned lesbian and gay people from serving as foster parents. The decision ends a seven-year legal battle by the American Civil Liberties Union.

ACLU Urges Arkansas Supreme Court to Uphold Ruling (12/19/2005)
LITTLE ROCK – Joined by an array of national child advocacy organizations, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a brief today asking the Arkansas Supreme Court to uphold an earlier court decision striking down a state regulation that banned gay people and anyone living in a household with a gay adult from being foster parents in the state. The trial court had found that living with gay or lesbian parents doesn’t harm children.

ACLU Applauds School Board Vote to Remove Evolution Disclaimers From Science Textbooks (07/14/2005)
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded the Beebe School District for formally voting to remove the stickers it had placed in science textbooks undermining the validity of evolution and introducing the religious concept of an "intelligent designer" behind the origin of life. Tuesday night, July 12, the school board voted three to two to remove the stickers, overcoming concerns about the cost of a lawsuit that might be filed by the ACLU and potential difficulties in monitoring how teachers might present intelligent design.

ACLU Praises Arkansas Board of Cosmetology for Quickly Confirming that People With HIV Are Not Barred From Practicing Cosmetology (06/02/2005)
LITTLE ROCK -- In response to a letter sent today by the American Civil Liberties Union, the Arkansas Board of Cosmetology quickly confirmed that people with HIV are not barred from practicing cosmetology in the state. The ACLU sent the letter after the Paragould-based cosmetology school, Hair Tech Beauty College, expelled an HIV-positive student, claiming it was illegal for people with HIV to practice cosmetology.

ACLU Urges State to Clarify Regulation Used by Cosmetology School to Justify Kicking Out HIV Positive Student (06/02/2005)
LITTLE ROCK -- The American Civil Liberties Union sent a letter to the Arkansas Board of Cosmetology today asking it to clarify a state regulation that has been used as the justification by a Paragould-based cosmetology school to expel an HIV-positive student.

ACLU of Arkansas Action Results in Removal of Evolution Disclaimers From Science Textbooks (02/10/2005)
LITTLE ROCK, AR--Following action by the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, the Beebe School District today agreed to remove stickers it had placed in science textbooks undermining the validity of evolution and introducing the religious concept of an ""intelligent designer"" behind the origin of life. After receiving complaints about the stickers from community members, the ACLU wrote a letter to the superintendent of the school district demanding that the stickers be removed.

Arkansas Anti-Gay Foster Care Ban Overturned (12/29/2004)
LITTLE ROCK -- Finding that children are not harmed by living with gay or lesbian parents, an Arkansas court today struck down a state regulation that banned gay people and anyone living in a household with a gay adult from being foster parents in the state. The American Civil Liberties Union brought the lawsuit against the state in 1999 on behalf of three prospective foster parents.

Trial Concludes in ACLU Challenge to Arkansas Anti-Gay Foster Care Ban (12/20/2004)
LITTLE ROCK - Trial concluded this morning in the American Civil Liberties Union's challenge to an Arkansas regulation that bans gay people and anyone living in a household with a gay adult from being foster parents in the state.

Federal Court Hears Arguments in ACLU of Arkansas Lawsuit Over Unsafe Prison Conditions (12/01/2004)
LITTLE ROCK -- Trial began today in a class-action lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas on behalf of prisoners who charge that their health is at serious risk because of fire and safety violations at a Faulkner County prison, including failure to perform tuberculosis tests on prisoners as required by the state health department.

Federal Court Hears Arguments in ACLU of Arkansas Lawsuit Over Unsafe Prison Conditions (12/01/2004)
LITTLE ROCK -- Trial began today in a class-action lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas on behalf of prisoners who charge that their health is at serious risk because of fire and safety violations at a Faulkner County prison, including failure to perform tuberculosis tests on prisoners as required by the state health department.

ACLU of Arkansas Calls on Justice Department to Investigate County Officer Over Harassment of African Americans (10/25/2004)
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas announced today that it has sent a letter to the Justice Department requesting an investigation into the harassment of African Americans by a county police officer in Brinkley, Arkansas.

County Jail Failing to Test Prisoners for Tuberculosis as Required by Department of Health, ACLU of Arkansas Charges (10/08/2004)
LITTLE ROCK--The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas today announced that is charging officials at the Faulkner County Detention Center with endangering the health of prisoners and the public by not performing skin tests for tuberculosis (TB) on prisoners as required by the state health department. The ACLU said the county is also in violation of Arkansas Fire and Life Safety Codes regarding occupancy.

ACLU Disappointed with Arkansas Supreme Court's Decision on Misleading "Marriage" Ballot Initiative (10/07/2004)
Statement of Rita Sklar, Executive Director, ACLU of Arkansas

ACLU Resumes Challenge to Arkansas Anti-Gay Foster Care Policy (10/05/2004)
LITTLE ROCK - After a six-month delay, the American Civil Liberties Union's challenge to an Arkansas policy that prevents lesbian and gay people and anyone living in a household with a gay adult from being foster parents will resume today in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County with a new expert witness for the state.

ACLU Says Even Attorneys Who Support Arkansas' So-Called "Marriage" Amendment Don't Understand What It Means (08/27/2004)
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- Even the attorneys representing the group responsible for getting a proposed amendment to the Arkansas Constitution on the November ballot disagree on the meaning of the amendment, charged the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, which filed legal papers yesterday in the Arkansas Supreme Court saying the measure should be stricken from the ballot because it is vague and misleading, and too hard for voters to understand.

ACLU Files Challenge to Misleading Arkansas "Marriage" Ballot Initiative (08/26/2004)
LITTLE ROCK, AR--The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas today filed a legal challenge on behalf of three concerned citizens against the so-called ""Amendment Concerning Marriage,"" charging that the ballot initiative violates the Arkansas state constitution. The ACLU said the ballot's title and text is misleading to voters and, if passed, could potentially make significant changes to the legal landscape for single Arkansans.

Under Pressure from ACLU of Arkansas, City Officials Revise Unconstitutional Parade Ordinance (07/20/2004)
LITTLE ROCK, AR-- The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas announced today that Nashville city officials have revised their policy on parade permits after complaints by the ACLU charged that a city ordinance violated residents' First Amendment rights.

ACLU of Arkansas Successfully Blocks Biased Dress Code for Visitors to Public Housing Units (07/01/2004)
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- Responding to a challenge from the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, the city of North Little Rock decided Monday not to impose an unconstitutional dress code on visitors to public housing units that would prohibit entry to anyone wearing backward baseball caps, saggy pants or bandanas.

Trial Begins in ACLU Lawsuit Challenging Arkansas Policy Preventing Gay People from Foster Parenting (03/23/2004)
LITTLE ROCK - Trial opens today in the American Civil Liberties Union's challenge to an Arkansas policy that prevents gay people and anyone living in a household with a gay adult from being foster parents in the state. The trial will be held in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County.

After ACLU Intervention, University Drops Charges Against Arkansas Students Who Sought to Investigate Voter Fraud in Student Election (02/27/2004)
LITTLE ROCK-- The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas today announced the dismissal of disciplinary charges against two student government senators at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville who were charged with harassment after seeking to investigate voter fraud in a student election.

ACLU Secures Sweeping Changes in Arkansas School District (07/17/2003)
JACKSONVILLE, AR -- A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union regarding an Arkansas school's treatment of a 14-year-old student for being openly gay today ended with district-wide policy changes to ensure fair treatment of lesbian and gay students.

ACLU of Arkansas and Broad Coalition Challenge State's 'Harmful to Minors' Law (06/23/2003)
LITTLE ROCK, AR--Saying that an amended state law meant to shield minors from reading material deemed ""harmful"" would also censor valuable speech for adults and teens, the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas and a broad-based coalition of organizations and businesses today filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Arkansas statute.

Arkansas School District Agrees to Guarantee Gay Student's Right to be Out at School (04/10/2003)
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- In a court conference held this afternoon, the Pulaski County Special School District agreed with the American Civil Liberties Union and a federal judge that students have a Constitutional right to be openly gay in school.

ACLU Sues Arkansas School District to Guarantee Gay Student's Right to Be "Out" at School (04/08/2003)
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit in federal court today against the Pulaski County Special School District for its treatment of an openly gay 14-year-old student. The lawsuit contends that school officials violated Thomas McLaughlin's rights to free speech, equal protection, and privacy, and that they violated the establishment clause of the First Amendment by preaching to him and forcing him read the Bible as punishment.

ACLU Warns Arkansas School to Stop Persecuting Gay Student (03/13/2003)
JACKSONVILLE, AR -- The American Civil Liberties Union is challenging officials at Jacksonville Junior High School over repeated punishment of a 14-year-old student for being openly gay. In a letter to school officials sent today, the ACLU demanded that the school stop violating the student's rights and remove all unconstitutional disciplinary actions taken against him from his record by March 21 or face legal action.

ACLU of Arkansas and ACLU Voting Rights Project Sue to Restore Voting Rights of College Students (10/25/2002)
LITTLE ROCK--Acting on behalf of the governor's daughter, among others, the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas and the ACLU's National Voting Rights Project today filed a federal lawsuit to challenge a circuit judge's decision that college students and others already registered to vote in Clark County are unqualified to vote in the November 5 election.

Arkansas Court Asked to End Gay Foster Parenting Ban (08/20/2002)
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- Saying that a state ban on lesbian and gay foster parenting does nothing to help children in need and is based only on bias and stereotypes, the ACLU filed papers today asking a judge to strike down the ban once and for all.

ACLU of Arkansas Says Court Ruling Brings New Hope to Mentally Ill Jail Inmates Denied Treatment (05/07/2002)
LITTLE ROCK, AR--The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas won a significant victory for the mentally ill today when a federal judge ruled that the state violated the rights of mentally ill inmates by allowing them to languish in jails and denying them court-ordered evaluations and treatment. 

Mentally Ill Inmates in Arkansas Gain Ground in Lawsuit Over Poor Treatment and Conditions (11/08/2001)
LITTLE ROCK, AR--Citing the vulnerability of the mentally ill in jail, a federal district judge today agreed that an American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas lawsuit against state health officials charged with failing to provide treatment should be certified as a class action. 

ACLU of Arkansas Sues Jail and Hospital Officials Over Lack of Treatment for Mentally Ill Inmates (07/16/2001)
LITTLE ROCK--In a federal class-action lawsuit filed today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas today charged state mental health and law enforcement officials with failing to provide treatment for mentally ill people in jail awaiting trial or removal to a hospital. 

ACLU of Arkansas Applauds Ban On Execution of Minors; Pro-Death Penalty Governor Supports Bill (03/27/2001)
LITTLE ROCK--The ACLU of Arkansas today commended a House Judiciary Committee vote to pass bipartisan legislation that prohibits the execution of any person who was under 17 years of age at the time he or she committed a capital crime. 

ACLU of Arkansas Defends Student Expelled for Private Writing Deemed "Terroristic Threat" (09/26/2000)
LITTLE ROCK, AR--The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas today asked a federal court to reinstate a 14-year-old boy who was expelled over private writing that another boy took out of his house without his knowledge and showed to a student at their school.

ACLU of Arkansas Sues School District on Behalf of Student Expelled for Creating Off-Campus Web Site (06/22/2000)
LITTLE ROCK -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas filed a lawsuit in federal court today on behalf of the parents of 15-year-old Justin Redman, who was expelled from Valley View Junior High School in Jonesboro for creating a Web site from his home that parodied the official school Web site and lampooned some school administrators, teachers and students.

ACLU and Arkansas Anti-Death Penalty Coalition Decry Execution of Mother Slated to Die Tonight (05/02/2000)
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- At a time when Americans nationwide are voicing grave concerns about the fair and appropriate application of the death penalty, Arkansas today stands poised to execute a woman for the first time in more than 100 years.

ACLU Hails Victory in Defense of 11-Year-Old in Trouble for "Home Alone" Inspired Drawings (03/13/2000)
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- An 11-year-old who triggered the overreaction of local school and police officials with his "Home Alone" inspired drawings of booby-traps has finally been freed from court proceedings against his family, the ACLU of Arkansas announced today.

ACLU of Arkansas Defends Man Ticketed for Distributing Literature in National Park (02/08/2000)
The man, Chris Burch, was handing out flyers on July 4, 1999, describing a recent decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to sell off part of the Ouachita Park land to a private developer; the flyer also contained information on how to contact legislators, and notified park patrons of an upcoming public meeting on the subject sponsored by the Sierra Club. 

ACLU Sues Arkansas Judge for Denying Man in Wheelchair Access to Courthouse (10/12/1999)
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas today announced the filing of a class-action lawsuit against a county judge on behalf of a man who could not attend court proceedings because he is in a wheelchair.

ACLU Challenges Arkansas Policy Banning Gay and Lesbian Foster Parents (04/06/1999)
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- In a state where the foster care system is in crisis, the American Civil Liberties Union today challenged a new policy prohibiting qualified gays and lesbians -- and any heterosexuals who live with them -- from serving as foster parents.