American Civil Liberties Union

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Freedom Files - Season 2
Ideological Exclusion

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Free Speech : General : Press Releases

ACLU Sues LAPD For Attacks on Press, Saying Police Targeted Media (08/16/2000)
LOS ANGELES -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California filed a lawsuit in federal court today against the Los Angeles Police Department for its attacks Monday night on members of the media.

In Local Controversy, ACLU of Hawai'i Supports Public Official's Free Speech Rights (07/12/2000)
HONOLULU, HI -- Citizens who serve on public boards and commissions have a right to free speech, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i said in a friend-of-the-court brief filed on behalf of a local official.

Judge to Bar Miami-Dade County from Enforcing Culture Ban on Cuba (07/11/2000)
MIAMI, FL -- Vindicating the free expression rights of the arts community here, a federal court today said it would permanently block Miami-Dade County from barring artists connected with Communist-ruled Cuba from performing in Miami.

Federal Judge Approves Georgia County's Agreement Not to Enforce Challenged Sign Ordinance (07/10/2000)
ATLANTA, GA -- Under an agreement reached today between the American Civil Liberties Union and DeKalb County officials, residents will be allowed to display signs and flags in their yards indefinitely without the threat of government sanction.

Statement of Tricia Boudoin (07/07/2000)
As a mother of a six-year old in a Baptist School and a thirteen-year-old teenager, I am particularly concerned about and aware of the music that children hear on the radio, talk about at school, and buy at the local music store. Everything that we play at the Skate Zone is played on the radio and I wouldn't play anything at the rink that I wouldn't be comfortable with my six-year-old hearing.

ACLU Says Louisiana Sheriff Can't Censor 'The Hokey Pokey' at Skating Rink; Britney Spears CD Seized as 'Evidence of a Crime' (07/07/2000)
NEW IBERIA, LA -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana today filed a lawsuit asking whether playing the "Hokey Pokey" can be considered a criminal act.

ACLU Declares Victory in Challenge to Colorado "Anti-profanity" Regulation (07/06/2000)
DENVER, CO -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado (ACLU) declared victory today in a free speech case, saying that the State of Colorado has agreed to stop enforcing a regulation that forbids owners of bars and restaurants from "permitting profanity" on their premises.

ACLU of MD Asks Court to Throw Out Annapolis 'Anti-Loitering' Law (07/06/2000)
BALTIMORE, MD -- In a motion filed today on behalf of the local NAACP, the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland asked a federal judge to rule Annapolis' anti-loitering law unconstitutional on the grounds that it violates free speech rights and is enforced mainly against African Americans, Hispanics and public housing residents.

ACLU Challenges Local Georgia County Ordinance Restricting Flags and Other Lawn Decorations (07/06/2000)
ATLANTA, GA -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia today filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of local residents challenging a county ordinance that makes it illegal to post signs and flags on private residential property.

Peace Activist Settles Lawsuit Against United States Customs Service (07/06/2000)
DETROIT, MI -- In a settlement negotiated by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Constitutional Rights, the U.S. Customs Office has agreed to return illegally seized film and videocassettes of conditions in Iraq to peace activist Daniel Handelman. Mr. Handelman will also receive $15,000 in damages and attorney fees.

ACLU Files First Amendment Lawsuit Over Street Performers (06/29/2000)
HONOLULU, HI -- Acting on behalf of street performers and a religious organization, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i today filed suit in state court challenging the constitutionality of a new city and county law that severely limits First Amendment rights.

Saying "Show Me the Money," ACLU of West Virginia Calls For an End to Lawmakers' Closed-Door Budget Meetings (06/21/2000)
CHARLESTON, WV -- The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia, together with advocacy groups and a local delegate, today filed a lawsuit in the State Supreme Court of Appeals challenging the State Legislature's secretive "Budget Digest" process.

Rights Groups and Citizen Activists Sue U.S. Postal Service Over Ban on Collecting Petition Signatures (06/01/2000)
WASHINGTON--In a case that could affect the right of grassroots activists across the nation to bring issues before their fellow voters, a coalition today filed a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn a new U.S. Postal Service regulation banning citizens from collecting signatures for initiative petitions on postal property.

Yahoo! Lawsuit Strikes an Important Blow For Internet Privacy and Free Speech (05/11/2000)
NEW YORK--A federal lawsuit filed today in California could establish important protections for Internet privacy and anonymity, according to the American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC).

ACLU Comments on Possible Restrictions of Media Coverage in Elian Gonzalez Matter (04/13/2000)
MIAMI -- Reports are circulating that the media may be excluded from the area surrounding Elian Gonzalez's home, if and when federal authorities attempt to remove the boy from the custody of his Miami relatives and reunite him with his father in Washington.

Settlement Provides Due Process for Cable Access Producers (04/06/2000)
SEATTLE -- A major cable television company and a producer have reached a settlement to a federal lawsuit over the cancellation of a program on Seattle's cable access television channel. The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington State represented the film producer, Michael Aivaz, in challenging the cancellation.

ACLU Challenges Miami's Loyalty Oath on Behalf of Censored Arts Groups (04/05/2000)
Today's case is but the latest episode in the ACLU's battle against censorship of the arts related to anti-Cuba sentiment. Last year, Miami officials tried to prevent Miami promoter Debra Ohanian from sponsoring a performance of Cuban salsa band Los Van Van. The ACLU intervened on Ohanian's behalf, and the performance was ultimately held at the Miami Arena. Since then, however, Ohanian has been unable to proceed with plans to host an island music festival featuring Cuban nationals at the American Airlines Arena later this year.

ACLU Appeals Ruling on Posting of Cyber Patrol Internet "Blacklist" Key (04/05/2000)
NEW YORK -- Vowing to fight legal efforts to stifle criticism of Internet "censorware," the American Civil Liberties Union is appealing a Boston judge's order prohibiting distribution of a program that allows owners of Cyber Patrol blocking software to learn which Web sites are "blacklisted."

In Legal First, Federal Appeals Court is Unanimous: First Amendment Applies to Programming Code (04/04/2000)
CLEVELAND, OH -- The American Civil Liberties Union today lauded a first-ever ruling by a federal appeals court that the First Amendment protects documents written in computer programming languages.

Marv Johnson Joins ACLU Washington Office As First Amendment Legislative Counsel (03/22/2000)
Laura W. Murphy, Director of the ACLU's Washington National Office, announced the appointment, noting that the ACLU has long fought to protect the First Amendment. 

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