American Civil Liberties Union

Abuse by police continues to be a major civil liberties problem in the U.S., particularly for the poor and for people of color.  Everyone needs and deserves effective and humane law enforcement in communities and courtrooms.


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NYCLU and ACLU Report Calls for End to Over-Policing in New York City Schools
The report, Criminalizing the Classroom: The Over-Policing of New York City Schools, examines the origins and the consequences of the city's aggressive policing operation in schools. It provides analyses of the results of a broad student survey and profiles of individual students whose experiences illuminate the problems with policing in schools.
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ACLU sues Denver on behalf of five innocent victims of mistaken identity arrests (8/11/2008)
DENVER - On behalf of five clients, the ACLU of Colorado filed suit today against the City and County of Denver and various Denver law enforcement officers, charging that in each case, "recklessly sloppy police work" resulted in the innocent plaintiff's arrest and imprisonment—as long as 26 days in one case—for crimes with which they had no connection whatsoever.

Oceanside Police Grossly Negligent in Responding to Suicidal Persons, says ACLU (8/7/2008)
SAN DIEGO – Oceanside Police mishandled a crisis negotiation in a way that may well have contributed to the suicide of a young man Grant Sattaur, 20, on December 26, 2007, the family said today at a press conference and at a hearing of the San Diego County Board of Mental Health.

MCLU Files Appeal in Excessive Force Case (8/5/2008)
PORTLAND –The Maine Civil Liberties Union Foundation today filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in a case involving allegations of excessive force by a South Portland police officer. The U.S. District Court had granted summary judgment to the officer in a ruling in May.

ACLU of Maryland Lawsuit Uncovers Maryland State Police Spying Against Peace and Anti-Death Penalty Groups (7/17/2008)
BALTIMORE – The American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland today made public what it called "shocking" documents obtained through a Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) lawsuit, revealing that the Maryland State Police (MSP) engaged in covert surveillance of local peace and anti-death penalty groups for over a year from 2005-2006. The organization expressed alarm at the incomprehensible spying revealed in 43 pages of summaries and computer logs, none of which refer to criminal or even potentially criminal acts, other than a few isolated references to plans for completely nonviolent civil disobedience.

ACLU Seeks Investigation Into Tasing Death In Winnfield (7/16/2008)
NEW ORLEANS - Today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana sent a letter urging the District Attorney of Winn Parish to investigate the tasing death of Baron DeAundrae Pikes, who died on January 17 from electrocution while in police custody. Mr. Pike's death certificate clearly shows that he was tased no fewer than nine times – while already in police restraints – and that he died as a result of electroshock injuries.


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