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NYCLU Urges New York Stock Exchange to Lift Ban on Al-Jazeera (04/02/2003)
NEW YORK-- In a letter sent today to Dick Grasso, Chairman & CEO of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the New York Civil Liberties Union urged the exchange to rescind its decision to revoke the press credentials of two reporters representing the Arab-language broadcast network Al-Jazeera.

NYCLU Joins with Albany Lawmakers in Support of Legislation That Supports Free Speech at Shopping Malls (03/31/2003)
ALBANY-The New York Civil Liberties Union today joined with members of the Assembly of the state legislature to announce the introduction of legislation that would require shopping malls to permit free speech and "expressive activity," which includes the right of an individual to wear clothing, buttons and arm bands that convey a political or ideological point of view.

NYCLU Announces Billboard Ad Supporting Free Speech at Albany Shopping Mall (03/27/2003)
NEW YORK-In response to the failure of an upstate mall to respect the free speech rights of its patrons, the New York Civil Liberties Union today announced that it has placed an advertisement on a billboard near the mall stating, "Welcome to the mall. You have the right to remain silent. Value free speech."

NYCLU Urges Mall Where Man was Arrested for Peace T-Shirt to Adopt Free Speech Policy (03/11/2003)
NEW YORK -- A letter sent today by the New York Civil Liberties Union condemned the actions of a management company whose employees violated the First Amendment rights of a Syracuse man when they detained him and later had him arrested for wearing a T-shirt with the slogan, "Give Peace A Chance."

ACLU of Minnesota Urges City Officials to Repeal Unconstitutional "Lurking and Loitering" Law (02/14/2003)
ST. PAUL -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota today said that it has called on officials of Park Rapids to immediately repeal a "Lurking and Loitering" ordinance because it appears to be an unconstitutional restriction on free speech.

Minneapolis Mayor's Gag Order on Public Employees Violates Free Speech Rights, ACLU Warns (02/07/2003)
ST. PAUL -- Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak's policy requiring public employees, including police officers, to clear media requests through the city's communications director appears to be unconstitutional, the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union said today.

After ACLU Lawsuit, Rhode Island Town Repeals Tattoo Ban (01/30/2003)
BRISTOL, RI -- In response to a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union, the town council here, by a 4-1 vote, agreed yesterday to amend the town's tattoo ordinance which bans persons between the ages of 18 and 21 from getting tattoos, the ACLU announced today.

ACLU of Rhode Island Sues to Lift Gag Rule on Firefighters Who Criticized Department on Safety Issues (12/19/2002)
PROVIDENCE, RI -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island today filed a federal lawsuit challenging a "gag order" issued by Anthony Fire District Chief Stanley Mruk, barring two firefighters from publicly expressing Fire Department-related concerns without first getting approval from the Chief.

ACLU Hails Removal of West Virginia Hospital Employee Gag Order as Free Speech Victory (12/17/2002)
HUNTINGTON, WV - The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia today applauded a federal judge's decision to end a local state-run hospital's gag order on its employees, which it says imposes an impermissible chilling effect on free speech.

From Free Speech to Due Process, ACLU of MI Is Busy in Three Different Courts Today (12/11/2002)
DETROIT -- Three lawsuits filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan will be heard today in three separate courts. Two of the cases involve free speech, while the third involves due process rights.

ACLU of Rhode Island Challenges Local Ban on Tattoos for 18-to-21-Year-Olds (11/19/2002)
PROVIDENCE, RI -- Saying that tattoos are a "unique form of personal art" protected by the First Amendment, the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island today filed a lawsuit in district court challenging a local ordinance that prohibits adults between the ages of 18 and 21 from getting tattoos.

After ACLU Intervenes, City Officials Drop Effort to Obtain Gag Order Against CO Newspaper (11/08/2002)
COLORADO SPRINGS -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado declared victory today after city officials withdrew a lawsuit that sought to prevent a weekly newspaper from publishing a news story critical of a local police officer.

ACLU Defends Rhode Island Store Owners Sued by Town Over Cow Statue (10/28/2002)
PROVIDENCE, RI -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island today asked the Rhode Island Superior Court to bar a local town from enforcing a sign ordinance that is requiring the owners of a gift shop to pay more than $50,000 in fines for an outdoor art display of a cow statue. In an effort to recover the fines, the town recently sued the owners of the gift shop.

ACLU Says Agreement in Lawsuit Protects Free Speech Rights in Chicago's "Public Square" (10/08/2002)
CHICAGO--A central venue historically used for demonstrations, prayer vigils and the distribution of leaflets is more accessible to a diverse range of voices because of an agreement presented in federal court today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois announced.

ACLU of Hawai'i Defends Free Speech Rights Of Former Police Officer Who Criticized Officials (07/03/2002)
HONOLULU--­ Acting on behalf of a former police officer, the ACLU of Hawai'i today filed a federal lawsuit charging that police officials violated the officer's First Amendment rights by harassing him after he criticized police officials involved in a scandal.

ACLU Files Two Free-Speech Lawsuits Against Police For Arresting People Who Used "Naughty Language" (07/02/2002)
PITTSBURGH- In two federal civil rights lawsuit filed today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Greater Pittsburgh said that police violated the rights of a retired Army officer and two college students who were arrested for using profanity in public.

ACLU of Southern California Stands Up for Anti-Sweatshop Advocates' Free Speech (04/25/2002)
LOS ANGELES--In a lawsuit filed today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California has taken up the defense of anti-sweatshop advocates wrongfully sued by national clothing retailer Forever 21 (also known as "Fashion 21"), for championing the cause of underpaid garment workers. 

"Cussing Canoeist" Conviction Reversed in Michigan (04/01/2002)
DETROIT--In a case that drew international attention, a Michigan appeals court today struck down a 105-year-old law used to convict a man dubbed the ""cussing canoeist,"" saying that the law unquestionably "operates to inhibit the exercise of First Amendment Rights." 

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. 

ACLU Defends Church's Right to Run "Anti-Santa" Ads in Boston Subways (01/08/2002)
BOSTON--The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts and a local attorney today filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) for removing subway advertisements promoting the views of a local church and refusing to sell additional advertising space to the church.