This Week in Civil Liberties

This Week in Civil Liberties (8/3/2012)

By Rekha Arulanantham, ACLU at 4:56pm

Which government agency is able to collect and share your personal information in the name of protecting national security?

In how many states have ACLU affiliates requested information on law enforcement’s use of license-plate tracking?

In which state is an ACLU affiliate challenging the state’s voter ID law that could disenfranchise more than one million voters?

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the ACLU’s challenge to what government blacklist should go forward?

This Week in Civil Liberties (7/6/12)

By Rekha Arulanantham, ACLU at 2:02pm

True or false: Aggressive collection of legal financial obligations creates a two-tiered system of justice in which the poorest defendants are punished more harshly than those with means.

Which court’s decision on the Affordable Care Act means that the contraceptive coverage rule – which ensures access to affordable birth control for millions of women across the country – is still in place?

In which state will a megabill have an impact on 100 percent of abortion providers, according to a new ACLU infographic?

This Week in Civil Liberties (04/20/12)

By Rekha Arulanantham, ACLU at 9:20pm

Which state saved no taxpayer money by implementing a law that requires drug testing of all of applicants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)?

What company fired an employee for using medical marijuana in accordance with state law?

In what decision did the Supreme Court rule that defendant cannot rely upon statistical evidence of systemic racial bias to prove his death sentence unconstitutional?

This Week in Civil Liberties (4/6/2012)

By Rekha Arulanantham, ACLU at 4:51pm

What do local law enforcement across the country use to track Americans' location?

Which part of the government doesn't recognize rape as sexual assault?

Which court ruled that you can be strip searched for a traffic violation?

How many members of Congress asked President Obama to protect LGBT employees from discrimination in the workplaces of federal contractors?

Which state refused a mandatory ultrasound bill this week?

This Week in Civil Liberties (3/30/2012)

By Rekha Arulanantham, ACLU at 7:01pm

In which state did doctors try to force a pregnant woman to have a c-section against her wishes?

What group can no longer be held in solitary confinement in Mississippi?

How many cells compose a person according to Personhood USA's definition?

How many states oppose a national ID card?

Which federal agency illegally gathers intelligence on innocent American Muslims?

Your Body, Your Decisions — This Means You, Moms!
Recently, a mother in South Carolina reached out to the ACLU for help. She was pregnant, and although she had had two prior cesarean surgeries, she wished to attempt a "trial of labor," that is, to give birth naturally, rather than having a scheduled cesarean surgery. The mother's wish made sense in light of her medical history, and according to professional standards set by obstetricians.

This Week in Civil Liberties (2/17/2012)

By Rekha Arulanantham, ACLU at 8:51pm

Which lobbying group wants to redefine religious liberty in order to prevent women from access to birth control?

The ACLU is challenging which law that ratified warrantless wiretapping?

Spoiler Alert: What does the documentary Let’s Talk About Sex talk about?

The House Homeland Security Committee held a hearing to learn more about social media surveillance by which agency?

In which state did the governor sign a bill recognizing the freedom to marry for same-sex couples?

This Week in Civil Liberties (11/18/2011)

By Rekha Arulanantham, ACLU at 5:56pm

Guess who’s stalking you on the Internet?

Who is suing the Oakland Police Department to end violence against Occupy Oakland protesters?

Which amendment could the Stop Online Privacy Act impede?

Which presidential candidate thinks the ACLU is effectively running the CIA?

In which state does an anti-immigrant law put small businesses at risk?

The Social Network is Stalking You
A new web feature by USA Today details the ways Facebook stalks you around the Internet — even when you’re not logged in. Facebook’s tracking methods — in the guise of the innocent seeming “Like” button — record every web site its 800 million-plus members have visited during the previous 90 days, even if you never click on that button, or don’t have a Facebook account.

This Week in Civil Liberties (10/14/2011)

By Rekha Arulanantham, ACLU at 6:04pm

In what state has an anti-immigrant law sent immigrants fleeing?

Which County Sheriff is running for cover after the ACLU exposed brutal conditions in his jail?

Which legislative body voted this week to allow hospitals to refuse emergency abortion care to women dying of pregnancy complications?

What can you get in exchange for giving up your privacy (and some urine)?

What new ACLU interactive tracks the legacy of the Patriot Act?

This Week in Civil Liberties (9/2/2011)

By Rekha Arulanantham, ACLU at 5:03pm

What major telecom company participated in warrantless wiretapping?

Which former leader has no regrets about Bush Administration torture policies?

What supposedly quick fix to public education deficiencies endangers the separation between church and state?

What group is entitled to due process according to a US Court of Appeals case from this week?

Who did NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg endanger by failing to prepare adequately for Hurricane Irene?

This Week in Civil Liberties (8/25/2011)

By Rekha Arulanantham, ACLU at 5:23pm

Which state enacted a drug testing welfare benefit application law that costs more than it saves?

What can you do to protect your private info on Facebook?

Who are the NYPD and FBI spying on?

Who spent over half his life on death row before he was released because he was wrongfully convicted?

Told You So: Florida's New Drug Testing Policy Already Costing Taxpayers More
We've said a few times about Florida's horrible new law that drug tests all families applying for cash benefits. The law, which went into effect July 1, makes applicants front the cost of the drug test and reimburses individuals if they test negative. The ACLU and others predicted this program would be a failure and cost the state of Florida much more money than they would save. Guess what? In just the few weeks that the program has been in effect, we have been proven right.

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