American Civil Liberties Union

Free Speech:
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Freedom Files - Season 2
Ideological Exclusion

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Free Speech : Right to Protest : Press Releases

ACLU of Utah Sues Olympic Officials for Refusing to Disclose Areas for Protestors at 2002 Games (02/12/2001)
SALT LAKE CITY--In a lawsuit filed today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah charged Olympic security planners with violating state public records law by refusing to disclose the sites where demonstrators will be allowed during the 2002 Winter Games.

ACLU Hails Rhode Island Supreme Court Decision Protecting Victims of Legal Intimidation (12/14/2000)
PROVIDENCE, RI--In an important victory for free speech rights, the Rhode Island Supreme Court today issued a strong ruling supporting the broad scope of the state's anti-SLAPP suit act, in a case brought by the American Civil Liberties Union.

ACLU Asks Judge to Reconsider Order Forcing Minister to Write a Letter of Retraction (12/11/2000)
ATLANTA--The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia today asked a state court judge to reconsider his ruling that compels a minister - against his will - to write a letter retracting statements he made in a local newspaper.

ACLU Sees Lessons in Seattle WTO Protests: "The City Needs to Get it Right" (11/21/2000)
SEATTLE--As we approach the one-year anniversary of the World Trade Organization (WTO) protests and a new series of rallies, the City of Seattle needs to show that it has learned the right lessons from last year's demonstrations. 

ACLU Challenges Police "Gag Rule" in Rhode Island (11/14/2000)
PROVIDENCE, RI--The ACLU of Rhode Island today filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a Providence Police Department "gag rule" which prevents police officers from talking to the media without approval of the police chief.

WA Court Bars Enforcement of Medina's "Get a License to Talk" Law (11/03/2000)
SEATTLE--A federal court today barred enforcement of a Medina law requiring people to apply for a license from town officials and submit to a police background check in order to exercise their free speech rights.

ACLU Challenges "Get a License to Talk" Law (10/23/2000)
SEATTLE - The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today filed a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order to bar enforcement of an ordinance that requires people to apply for a license from town officials and submit to a police background check in order to exercise their free speech rights.

With a 'Hi-Oh, Silver!' ACLU Challenges Michigan Anti-Mask Law on Behalf of "Lone Ranger" Protesters (10/18/2000)
DETROIT--The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and National Lawyer's Guild today filed a motion to dismiss charges against 13 protesters for wearing Lone Ranger masks during a June demonstration protesting air quality in downtown Detroit.

ACLU Backs Free Speech Rights for PA Citizens Fighting Chain Store in Their Neighborhood (09/12/2000)
Pittsburgh, PA -- The American Civil Liberties Union is going to bat for the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation and other organizations and individuals facing a $7 million lawsuit for for opposing a new CVS Pharmacy in Homestead, PA.

ACLU Denounces Police Infiltration of Protest Groups at GOP Convention in Philadelphia (09/07/2000)
PHILADELPHIA, PA -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania today denounced the use of state police to infiltrate political activist groups that planned protests at last month's Republican National Convention.

ACLU Statement on Defending Free Speech of Unpopular Organizations (08/31/2000)
NEW YORK--In the United States Supreme Court over the past few years, the American Civil Liberties Union has taken the side of a fundamentalist Christian church, a Santerian church, and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. In celebrated cases, the ACLU has stood up for everyone from Oliver North to the National Socialist Party. In spite of all that, the ACLU has never advocated Christianity, ritual animal sacrifice, trading arms for hostages or genocide. In representing NAMBLA today, our Massachusetts affiliate does not advocate sexual relationships between adults and children.

ACLU Defends Free Speech Rights of Police Officer (08/30/2000)
HONOLULU - The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i has sent a letter to county attorneys of the Island of Hawai'i criticizing the County's policy of prohibiting a police officer from filing a complaint before its Police Commission.

ACLU Wins Key Battle in Case to Protect Free Speech In Citizen Complaints About Police (08/11/2000)
LOS ANGELES -- The ACLU of Southern California won a key victory this week in their challenge to the Constitutionality of a state law that makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly file a false allegation of misconduct against a peace officer.

Three Seattle Residents Accept Judgments in ACLU Lawsuit over WTO "No Protest Zone" (08/11/2000)
SEATTLE, WA -- Three local residents have accepted offers of judgment in the American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit challenging the Seattle's establishment of a "no protest zone" during the meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on December 1-3, 1999.

ACLU Seeks Court Order to Stop LAPD from Harassing and Intimidating Convention Protesters (08/10/2000)
LOS ANGELES -- The ACLU of Southern California filed a federal lawsuit today seeking a restraining order to stop the Los Angeles Police Department's harassment and intimidation of protesters at and near the protesters' organizing headquarters.

ACLU Warns Los Angeles Police Department: Stop Harassing Protesters (08/07/2000)
LOS ANGELES -- In a letter sent today to the Los Angeles Police Department, the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California is demanding that officials immediately stop harassing Democratic National Convention protesters at their organizing headquarters here.

ACLU Criticizes Police Officials for Overreacting to Disruptions at Convention (08/07/2000)
PHILADELPHIA, PA -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania is extremely critical of how Police Commissioner John Timoney and District Attorney Lynne Abraham are overreacting to the disruptions and vandalism that occurred in Philadelphia on August 1, 2000.

ACLU Responds to Disruptions at GOP Convention in Philadelpia (08/02/2000)
PHILADELPHIA -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania is disappointed by the turn of events here yesterday. The disruptions, vandalism and arrests were particularly troubling since the previous three days had been marked by large and peaceful protests.

Government Plotted to Disrupt Peaceful Protests, Rights Groups Charge (07/27/2000)
WASHINGTON -- The United States and District of Columbia governments deliberately plotted to disrupt and stifle peaceful protests against the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, according to a lawsuit filed by civil rights and protest groups here today.

Federal Judge Requires Los Angeles to Follow First Amendment During the Democratic National Convention (07/20/2000)
LOS ANGELES -- A federal judge issued a written order today requiring city officials to accommodate free speech during the Democratic National Convention and prohibiting the city's current park use and parade permit granting schemes.

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