Inspired by the Arab Spring, the Occupy movement began as a group of a few hundred protesters occupying a park right off of Wall Street in New York City's financial district in September 2011 to protest what they call a greedy and unjust financial system. The national ACLU and ACLU affiliates nationwide have been monitoring Occupy protests across the country to ensure protestors' free speech rights are protected. Learn more about what the ACLU is doing in your state to support protestors' rights >>
Yesterday the ACLU of Tennessee filed a federal lawsuit to protect the First Amendment rights of Occupy Nashville protesters. By late afternoon, a judge ordered the state to stop enforcing rules that violated the demonstrators’ freedom of speech and assembly.
The demonstrators have been gathered peacefully at the plaza in front of Nashville's statehouse to express their frustration since October 7. Historically, other groups have been permitted to gather at the plaza without a permit. But last week, the state adopted new rules significantly restricting use of the plaza, requiring a permit and liability insurance, and imposing a curfew by fiat in secret and without notice.
By Linda Lye, Staff Attorney, ACLU of Northern California at 3:35pm
Picture this. In response to a peaceful anti-war protest, the Oakland Police Department uses large wooden bullets, sting ball grenades and shot-filled bean bags, as a result of which at least 58 protesters are injured. That was 2003, and unfortunately sounds eerily similar to reports of OPD's response to an Occupy Oakland demonstration Tuesday evening, in which bean bags or other projectiles appear to have been fired directly into crowds and multiple rounds of tear gas were used.
The First Amendment guarantees what some might consider the most fundamental freedoms that define our nation.
The ongoing Occupy Wall Street protest is spreading from the streets of New York to cities and towns all across America, and the right to protest and dissent is a key part of this important national conversation.
As long as the ACLU has existed, we've been defending the rights of demonstrators to speak their minds and assemble together. Because we believe dissent is a form of patriotism. We believe all people have the right to free speech and the freedom to stand up for what they believe in.
By Donna Lieberman, New York Civil Liberties Union at 12:09pm
As the Occupy Wall Street movement gains steam, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) is standing beside the demonstrators and defending their right to speak their minds.
Teams of NYCLU staff and volunteers regularly visit the movement's headquarters at Zuccotti Park to distribute our Know Your Rights information and engage the demonstrators' on their experiences with the NYPD. The park's makeshift library is well-stocked with our Demonstrating in New York City and What to Do if You're Stopped by the Police guides. We're engaging the protestors on Facebook and Twitter as well.
By Jennifer Carnig, New York Civil Liberties Union at 5:49pm
Inspired by the Arab Spring, a group of a few hundred protesters have occupied a park right off of Wall Street for more than a week, seeking attention for what they call a greedy and unjust financial system. The staff of the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) has been on the scene talking to protesters, learning about their experiences with police, and passing out Know Your Rights guides on protesting in New York City and on surviving police encounters.
