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Drug Policy Reform Groups Display Marijuana Policy Ads in D.C. Metro (08/31/2004)
WASHINGTON - The controversial marijuana law reform advertisement at issue in a recent federal lawsuit will be displayed tomorrow for the first time in the Union Station and Capitol South stops of the Washington D.C. Metro. After a legal battle between a coalition of drug policy reform groups and the federal government over a law that would have eliminated federal funding of transportation authorities that ran such ads, a federal district court ruled the law unconstitutional in June 2004. The government appealed from the district court's decision to the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on August 2.

School Committee Refused to Hire Art Teacher Because of Her Political Beliefs, ACLU of Rhode Island Charges (08/27/2004)
PROVIDENCE, RI--The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island today filed a federal lawsuit against the Lincoln School Committee on behalf of an art teacher who was rejected for a public school position because of her past vocal criticism of some school district practices.

ACLU of Wisconsin Defends Local Man Accused of Travel to Iraq as "Human Shield" (08/23/2004)
MILWAUKEE - The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin today filed papers in defense of peace activist and Milwaukee-area businessman Ryan Clancy contesting the imposition of a $10,000 fine by the federal Office of Foreign Assets Control because Clancy allegedly traveled to Iraq prior to the beginning of the war last year to act as a ""human shield.""

John Ashcroft Cannot Force the ACLU to Check Employees Against a "Black List" - ACLU Will Reject CFC Funds and Challenge Government Policy in Court (07/31/2004)
NEW YORK -- The Patriot Act and the government's "war on terror" are threatening the ability of America's non-profit charities to do their essential work and we have John Ashcroft to thank for it. By requiring non-profit charities to check their employees against a "black list" in order to receive donations from the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), John Ashcroft and this administration have created a climate of fear and intimidation that undermines the health and well-being of this nation. Organizations that enhance and promote America's health and education, the arts and the environment, children's services and religious life are threatened by the web of fear that emanates from the Patriot Act and the war on terror, and that is wrong.

Citing Government "Blacklist"; Policy, ACLU Rejects $500,000 from Funding Program (07/31/2004)
NEW YORK - In a letter sent today to the head of the Combined Federal Campaign, which administers charitable donations from federal and state employees to more than 2,000 non-profits, the American Civil Liberties Union said that it would reject $500,000 in contributions from private individuals rather than submit to a government "blacklist" policy.

ACLU Charges Rhode Island Fire District with Again Violating Free Speech Rights of Firefighters (07/29/2004)
PROVIDENCE, RI--The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island today filed a federal lawsuit against top Coventry Fire District officials for violating the free speech rights of firefighters at the department's annual financial meeting in December 2003. This is the third time in two years that the ACLU has filed charges against the fire department.

Corrales Mayor Settles ACLU Free Speech Lawsuit on Behalf of Resident Silenced at Public Forum (07/26/2004)
ALBUQUERQUE -- The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico today settled a lawsuit against Mayor Gary Kanin of Corrales, filed on behalf of a resident who was unconstitutionally silenced by the mayor during a public forum.

ACLU Sues to Protect Free Speech Rights of Anti-Abortion Church Group in Indiana (07/16/2004)
SCOTTSBURG, IN-- The Indiana Civil Liberties Union announced today that it has filed a lawsuit to stop city officials' unconstitutional infringements on the free speech rights of a Baptist preacher and his congregation.

ACLU of Michigan Defends Washtenaw Woman Sued for Speaking Out On Environmental Issues (07/08/2004)
DETROIT- The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan today entered court on behalf of a Washtenaw County woman who is fighting a punitive lawsuit brought against her by a gravel pit owner because she spoke out against a quarry operation. The ACLU has filed a motion to dismiss the case.

Under Pressure from ACLU of Virginia, City Allows Bookstore Owner to Post Sign Critical of Public Officials (07/07/2004)
RICHMOND, VA -- After receiving a strongly worded letter earlier today from the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, the City of Salem immediately announced that it would allow bookseller Charles Givens to replace a political sign posted at his place of business, the ACLU said.

ACLU of Virginia Says City of Salem Must Allow Bookstore Owner to Restore Political Sign (07/07/2004)
RICHMOND, VA -- In a letter faxed today to Salem's chief zoning official, the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia demanded that a bookstore owner be allowed to display a sign criticizing the mayor and city manager for their role in road construction that has diverted customers away from his business.

ACLU of Arkansas Successfully Blocks Biased Dress Code for Visitors to Public Housing Units (07/01/2004)
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- Responding to a challenge from the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, the city of North Little Rock decided Monday not to impose an unconstitutional dress code on visitors to public housing units that would prohibit entry to anyone wearing backward baseball caps, saggy pants or bandanas.

ACLU Welcomes CA Attorney General's Investigation of Undercover Surveillance of Anti-War Group (06/29/2004)
SAN FRANCISCO - The American Civil Liberties Union today welcomed the news that California Attorney General Bill Lockyer has agreed to conduct an investigation into the undercover surveillance of Peace Fresno, a community organization featured in Michael Moore's new film Fahrenheit 9/11.

In Historic Court Victory for ACLU, Honolulu Agrees to Create New Rules Affirming Religious Neutrality and Free Speech (06/23/2004)
HONOLULU--The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i claimed victory today in three First Amendment cases resulting in a historic settlement agreement with the city and county of Honolulu, which ensured that gay rights organizations and other political groups cannot be blocked from participating in city-sponsored events and that taxpayer funds will no longer be used to promote one religion over others.

Agreeing with ACLU Arguments, Tennessee Court Overturns Local Ban on Fortune-Telling (06/07/2004)
NASHVILLE -- In a victory for free speech, Federal District Court Judge Robert Echols today struck down a local ban on fortune telling in a challenge brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee.

ACLU and Drug Policy Groups Challenge Censorship of Advertisements Criticizing "War on Drugs" in Federal Court (04/28/2004)
WASHINGTON- In arguments in federal court today, the nation's major drug policy reform groups urged a judge to strike down a law that bars local transit authorities from accepting advertisements critical of the government's "War on Drugs."

Following ACLU Action, Officials Agree Not to Bar Activists at Weekend Festival in South Carolina (04/19/2004)
COLUMBIA, SC - After the American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina filed a lawsuit in federal court last week challenging the "Three Rivers Music Festival" organizers' censorship of the marijuana law reform group NORML, the organizers agreed not to enforce the policy, the ACLU said today. The Midlands branch of NORML exercised its First Amendment right this weekend to distribute informational literature to attendees of the music festival without incident.

ACLU Joins Media Giants and Performers in Asking FCC to Reconsider Indecency Ruling on Bono Remark (04/19/2004)
NEW YORK - The American Civil Liberties Union today joined a coalition of major media companies, advocacy groups and performers in asking the Federal Communications Commission to reconsider its ruling that rock star Bono's use of a sexual expletive during a live telecast of the 2003 Golden Globe Awards was "indecent and profane."

ACLU of South Carolina Defends Free Speech Rights of Drug Policy Reform Group to Disseminate Message at Three Rivers Music Festival (04/15/2004)
COLUMBIA, SC - The American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina today filed a federal lawsuit defending the First Amendment rights of the drug policy reform organization NORML to distribute informational literature and t-shirts at the ""Three Rivers Music Festival"" taking place here this weekend.

ACLU Challenges Rhode Island Town's Political Canvassing Restrictions (03/17/2004)
PROVIDENCE, RI -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island today filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of an environmental group challenging a town's ban on door-to-door political canvassing between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.