Pennsylvania
The Satanic Temple v. Saucon Valley School District
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the ACLU of Pennsylvania, and Dechert LLP filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Saucon Valley School District (SVSD) in March 2023 for violating the First Amendment by prohibiting the After School Satan Club (ASSC) from meeting in district facilities. Although school officials initially approved the club’s application — explaining in an email to parents that the district “cannot discriminate among groups wishing to use the SVSD facilities” — they quickly bowed to the ensuing public outcry. The case seeks to allow the ASSC to meet in district facilities.
Status: Ongoing
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All Cases
24 Pennsylvania Cases
U.S. Supreme Court
Dec 2021
Birt v. United States
Whether all individuals sentenced for crack cocaine offenses under a now-amended federal statute that created a 100-to-1 disparity between the treatment of cocaine in its crack and powder forms are eligible for resentencing under amendments made by the First Step Act of 2018.
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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U.S. Supreme Court
Criminal Law Reform
Birt v. United States
Whether all individuals sentenced for crack cocaine offenses under a now-amended federal statute that created a 100-to-1 disparity between the treatment of cocaine in its crack and powder forms are eligible for resentencing under amendments made by the First Step Act of 2018.
Dec 2021
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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U.S. Supreme Court
Nov 2021
Fulton v. City of Philadelphia
On November 4, the Supreme Court heard a case that could allow private agencies that receive taxpayer-funding to provide government services — such as foster care providers, food banks, homeless shelters, and more — to deny services to people who are LGBTQ, Jewish, Muslim, or Mormon.
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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U.S. Supreme Court
LGBTQ Rights
Fulton v. City of Philadelphia
On November 4, the Supreme Court heard a case that could allow private agencies that receive taxpayer-funding to provide government services — such as foster care providers, food banks, homeless shelters, and more — to deny services to people who are LGBTQ, Jewish, Muslim, or Mormon.
Nov 2021
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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Pennsylvania
Nov 2020
Donald J. Trump for President v. Boockvar
The ACLU and partners intervened in a Trump-campaign lawsuit that attempted to block the certification of the Pennsylvania Nov. 3 election results. On November 21, 2020, the district court dismissed the lawsuit, noting it was “presented with strained legal arguments without merit and speculative accusations … unsupported by evidence.” “In the United States of America,” District Judge William Brann added, “this cannot justify the disenfranchisement of a single voter, let alone all the voters of its sixth most populated state.”
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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Pennsylvania
Voting Rights
Donald J. Trump for President v. Boockvar
The ACLU and partners intervened in a Trump-campaign lawsuit that attempted to block the certification of the Pennsylvania Nov. 3 election results. On November 21, 2020, the district court dismissed the lawsuit, noting it was “presented with strained legal arguments without merit and speculative accusations … unsupported by evidence.” “In the United States of America,” District Judge William Brann added, “this cannot justify the disenfranchisement of a single voter, let alone all the voters of its sixth most populated state.”
Nov 2020
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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Pennsylvania
May 2020
Judicial Watch v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The ACLU and partners filed a motion to intervene in a federal lawsuit, Judicial Watch v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on May 11, 2020. In that case, a pro-voter purge group is seeking to force three Pennsylvania counties to remove thousands of voters from the rolls before the upcoming election.
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Pennsylvania
Voting Rights
Judicial Watch v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The ACLU and partners filed a motion to intervene in a federal lawsuit, Judicial Watch v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on May 11, 2020. In that case, a pro-voter purge group is seeking to force three Pennsylvania counties to remove thousands of voters from the rolls before the upcoming election.
May 2020
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