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Court Ruling Halts Restrictive NYPD Practices During Protests; Decision Comes in Anticipation of Republican National Convention (07/19/2004)
NEW YORK--In an historic victory for the right to protest, a federal judge today ruled in favor of the New York Civil Liberties Union and ordered the New York Police Department to stop using unconstitutional tactics at large demonstrations, including various controversial practices expected to be used in August at the Republican National Convention.

ACLU of Massachusetts Challenges Boston's Denial of Parade Permit During Democratic National Convention (07/19/2004)
BOSTON - The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts today filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of a coalition of peaceful protest groups against city officials over their refusal to allow a parade in front of the FleetCenter before and during the Democratic National Convention.

ACLU Sues to Protect Free Speech Rights of Anti-Abortion Church Group in Indiana (07/16/2004)
SCOTTSBURG, IN-- The Indiana Civil Liberties Union announced today that it has filed a lawsuit to stop city officials' unconstitutional infringements on the free speech rights of a Baptist preacher and his congregation.

ACLU Applauds Court Decision to Dismiss Charges Against Couple Wearing Anti-Bush T-Shirts at a July 4th Presidential Rally (07/15/2004)
CHARLESTON, WV - In a victory for free speech, the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia applauded a court decision today dismissing trespassing charges against a couple who wore anti-Bush t-shirts to a July 4th rally for the president at the state Capitol.

ACLU Welcomes CA Attorney General's Investigation of Undercover Surveillance of Anti-War Group (06/29/2004)
SAN FRANCISCO - The American Civil Liberties Union today welcomed the news that California Attorney General Bill Lockyer has agreed to conduct an investigation into the undercover surveillance of Peace Fresno, a community organization featured in Michael Moore's new film Fahrenheit 9/11.

NYCLU Questions Mayor's Plan to Close Streets During the Republican National Convention (06/25/2004)
NEW YORK -- The New York Civil Liberties Union today expressed concern about the city's sweeping plan to shut down a wide range of streets during the Republican National Convention in August.

New York Congressional Members, City Leaders and Advocates Join NYCLU in Calling for Protection of First Amendment Rights at the Republican National Convention (06/06/2004)
NEW YORK-Members of Congress, city leaders and advocates for free speech today announced a series of actions to be taken this summer to ensure that First Amendment rights are protected at the forthcoming Republican National Convention. The ""Protecting Protest Campaign"" will include a Memorandum of Understanding between New York City's Congressional leaders and Mayor Michael Bloomberg. It will also include a City Council resolution sponsored by Speaker Gifford Miller along with hearings in the City Council on NYPD tactics at the convention.

Court Hears Arguments in NYCLU Challenge to Police Tactics at 2003 Anti-War Protests (06/02/2004)
NEW YORK - Trial began today in federal court in three right-to-protest cases brought by the New York Civil Liberties Union challenging police practices at the February 15, 2003 anti-war demonstration here.

ACLU of Georgia Sues City Over Arrest of Political Activist During Fourth of July Celebrations (05/27/2004)
ATLANTA - The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia today filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of a local activist, Georgia's Green Party and the Libertarian Party of Georgia, saying that police violated their rights when they were blocked from collecting ballot signatures in a public park during a Fourth of July celebration.

ACLU of Georgia Challenges City and County Ordinances Restricting Free Speech During G-8 Summit (05/03/2004)
GLYNN COUNTY, GA-- The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia filed a lawsuit today challenging sweeping restrictions on free speech enacted by local authorities in anticipation of the G-8 Summit scheduled to take place on Sea Island June 8-10. The complaint, brought against City of Brunswick and Glynn County officials, was filed in federal court in Brunswick on behalf of local minister Zack L. Lyde and groups planning protest activities around the Summit.

ACLU and Peace Fresno Call on California Officials and Lawmakers to Investigate Surveillance of Anti-War Group (04/21/2004)
FRESNO, CA -- In a formal complaint filed today with California Attorney General Bill Lockyer, the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California and Peace Fresno are calling for a full investigation into the undercover surveillance of the anti-war group.

ACLU Challenges Boston's Permit Procedures for Protests During Democratic National Convention (04/15/2004)
BOSTON -- Lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts and the National Lawyers Guild today said that they are seeking significant changes in proposed permit application procedures for groups seeking to hold events during the Democratic National Convention. The groups said that current plans will create unnecessary delays and obstacles to obtaining permits.

ACLU of Washington Lawsuit Seeks to Protect Free Speech Rights of Seattle Marchers (04/14/2004)
SEATTLE -- Seeking to protect free speech rights on Seattle streets, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court here challenging the city's Parade and Special Events Ordinances.

ACLU of New Mexico Sues Albuquerque Police Over Mistreatment of Peaceful Protestors (03/22/2004)
ALBUQUERQUE -- The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico and the New Mexico chapter of the National Lawyers Guild filed a civil rights lawsuit today against the Albuquerque Police Department over its handling of a protest against the Iraq war last March.

ACLU Sues City of Colorado Springs For Denying Permit to Peaceful Protestors During NATO Conference (03/15/2004)
DENVER -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado today sued the City of Colorado Springs, saying that city officials violated the First Amendment when they denied a permit request from six peace and justice activists to hold a protest on a public sidewalk across from a hotel hosting a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) conference last October.

NYCLU Calls On Mayor Bloomberg to Protect Peaceful Protest, Avoid Mass Arrests At Republican National Convention (03/12/2004)
NEW YORK -- In response to reports that the New York Police Department is gearing up to arrest 1,000 people a day during the upcoming Republican National Convention, the New York Civil Liberties Union today said it has sent a letter to Mayor Michael Bloomberg demanding that he protect the right of peaceful protest.

ACLU Sues Pennsylvania Township After Officials Send Protesters $3,000 Bill For Peaceful March (03/11/2004)
HARRISBURG, PA- A town's attempt to collect more than $3,000 in parade permit fees from three dozen peaceful protesters violates basic free speech rights, the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania charged today in a federal civil rights lawsuit.

Appeals Court Hears Arguments in ACLU Challenge to Seattle's WTO "No Protest Zone" (02/06/2004)
SEATTLE -- In arguments today before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington urged the court to rule that Seattle's establishment of a ""No Protest Zone"" during the meeting of the World Trade Organization in 1999 violated basic free speech rights.

ACLU Asks Miami Police to Compensate Protesters for Civil Rights Violations During FTAA Demonstrations (02/05/2004)
MIAMI - In letters faxed today to City of Miami officials, the Greater Miami Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida demanded compensation for two individuals whose civil rights were violated by police during November's Free Trade Area of the Americas ministerial meetings.

ACLU Files Lawsuits Challenging Police Practices to Be Used at 2004 Republican National Convention (11/19/2003)
NEW YORK -- The New York Civil Liberties Union today filed three lawsuits challenging New York City Police Department (NYPD) practices used at large demonstrations and expected to be used at the Republican National Convention next summer.