American Civil Liberties Union

Free Speech:
Freedom of speech is protected in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights and is guaranteed to all Americans. Since 1920, the ACLU has worked to preserve our freedom of speech. Learn more and take action to protect the right to free speech.


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Free Speech : General : Press Releases

Connecticut Veteran Sues For Right to Commemorate Fallen War Hero on his Property (07/11/2001)
HARTFORD, CT - - The Connecticut Civil Liberties Union today filed a federal complaint on behalf of a Franklin man who was told by town officials that zoning requirements bar him from placing a commemorative war veteran sign on his front lawn.

Michigan Court Rejects Noisy Steel Company's Attempt to Intimidate Quiet Neighborhood (04/26/2001)
DETROIT-- Supporting the public's right to speak out on public issues without fear of retaliation, a Macomb County Circuit Court judge today dismissed a lawsuit brought by Kendor Steel company against a woman who complained about noise coming from the company's plant. 

Ordinary Heroes: Two ACLU Clients to Receive the 2001 PEN/Newman's Own First Amendment Award (04/20/2001)
NEW YORK - The American Civil Liberties Union is proud to announce that this year's prestigious PEN/Newman's Own First Amendment Award will be bestowed upon two individuals who were clients in ACLU cases. 

ACLU Sues Cleveland Over Tattoo Ban, Saying Ordinance Censors Ancient Art Form (02/13/2001)
CLEVELAND, OH--The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed a legal challenge to a Cleveland law that bans tattooing citywide, saying the ban violates the right to freedom of expression by prohibiting the practice of an ancient and recognized art form within city limits.

ACLU Urges Appeals Court to Protect Free Speech Rights In Landmark DVD Copyright Case (01/26/2001)
NEW YORK--In a closely watched case that pits Hollywood's control over its digital properties against free speech rights, the American Civil Liberties Union today filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging an appeals court to protect the longstanding balance between copyright law and the First Amendment.

Citing Free Speech Concerns, Cyber-Rights Groups Call for Hearings on Internet Domain Name Decisions (01/17/2001)
NEW YORK -- In a move to protect freedom in cyberspace, a coalition of cyber-rights groups and scholars last night issued a joint letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce calling for hearings and additional public commentary before the department acts on recent Internet domain name decisions that limit free expression. 

Supreme Court Hears Arguments Today on English-Only Rule and Censorship of Prisoners (01/16/2001)
WASHINGTON--The U.S. Supreme Court will hear two important civil rights arguments today. In the first, the Justices will consider whether Alabama may refuse to accommodate driver's license applicants who do not read English; the second case looks at whether prison officials may censor prisoner communications that are critical of its employees.

ACLU Challenges "No Free Speech Zone" at San Diego Welfare Offices (01/04/2001)
""The constitution protects everyone's right to communicate with others in a lawful and non-disruptive manner,"" said Guylyn Cummins, an ACLU volunteer attorney. "County welfare offices may not select certain groups to express their ideas on government property while silencing others just because they may not like what that group has to say." 

ACLU Seeks Permanent Court Order on Issue of Online Voter Matching (11/27/2000)
LOS ANGELES - The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California filed an amended complaint today in its defense of "vote-swapping" website creators and participants who were threatened with criminal prosecution for their activities.

ACLU Disappointed With Court Decision Regarding CA Shutdown of Voteswap 2000 (11/06/2000)
LOS ANGELES -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California is sorely disappointed by the court's decision to deny a temporary restraining order against California Secretary of State Bill Jones, who threatened criminal prosecution against Voteswap 2000, a voter discussion and strategizing web site. 

ACLU Praises Clinton Veto of Government Secrecy Measure (11/04/2000)
WASHINGTON -- The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded President Clinton for vetoing an intelligence bill because of a badly flawed provision that would have made it extremely difficult for the media to meet its First Amendment obligation to expose governmental misdeeds. 

ACLU Charges Political Censorship, Challenges CA's Shutdown of Votexchange.com (11/02/2000)
LOS ANGELES - The ACLU affiliates of Southern California and San Diego announced today that they will seek a temporary restraining order against California Secretary of State Bill Jones, who threatened criminal prosecution against a voter discussion and strategizing web site called Voteswap 2000.

ACLU of Ohio Challenges Election Sign Bans Across the State (10/27/2000)
CLEVELAND, OH--Seeking to defend the free speech rights of voters in the crucial days before local and national elections, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed three federal lawsuits, and will file a fourth on Monday, all growing out of municipal bans on political yard signs.

ACLU Asks Court to Lift Gag Order in California Murder Case (10/25/2000)
LOS ANGELES--The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California filed a friend of the court brief today on behalf of attorney Tony Capozzola, who is under a gag order that prevents him from discussing a client's case or any related issues, such as mental health, with the media.

Massachusetts Tattooing Ban Declared Unconstitutional (10/23/2000)
BOSTON, MA - Tattoos are expression protected by the First Amendment, just as much as paintings, drawings, engravings, and printed works, a Superior Court judge here today declared in a case brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts.

Los Angeles' Ban On "For Sale" Signs Is Suspended By Court (10/16/2000)
LOS ANGELES - In a ringing endorsement of free speech, a federal court judge today made clear that he would halt the enforcement of Los Angeles Municipal Code, which prohibits placing "For Sale" signs in cars parked on Los Angeles city streets.

ACLU of Colorado Seeks Details on Secret Agreement to Ban Reference to Christopher Columbus at Parade (09/29/2000)
While the ACLU recognizes that private parties can bargain away constitutional rights, and even ask the government to enforce such agreements, it must be determined in the light of full information that the government has not coerced parties into the agreement. 

ACLU Lends Support to Challenge of Pennsylvania's Lobbying Disclosure Act (09/25/2000)
PHILADELPHIA -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania and other public interest legal organizations joined forces today to challenge the state's Lobbying Disclosure Act.

ACLU Forces CA Department of Alcoholic Beverages Control Out of Censorship Business (09/25/2000)
LOS ANGELES - The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California today reached a settlement in a case where city officials in Palm Springs took a back-door route to censoring an erotic arts exhibition during late July and early August of 1997.

ACLU Sees Political Opportunism, Not Science, In Report Linking Pop Culture and Youth Violence (09/13/2000)
WASHINGTON -- Politics and punditry, not scientific research, is driving the supposed link between youth violence and popular culture, the American Civil Liberties Union said today, as a Senate committee convened hearings triggered by a government report on the issue.

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