American Civil Liberties Union

The Racial Justice Program aims to preserve and extend the constitutional rights of people of color. Committed to combating racism in all its forms, our advocacy includes litigation, community organizing and training, legislative initiatives, and public education. >> More about the Racial Justice Program.


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Racial Justice : Racial Profiling : Press Releases

Passage of 'Traffic Stop Data Collection Act' in Illinois is Key "First Step" to End of Racial Profiling, ACLU Says (03/03/2000)
CHICAGO, IL -- Calling it a "clear signal" that the state's highest leadership will not tolerate racial profiling, the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois today praised the passage of House Bill 3911 - the Traffic Stop Data Collection Act - by the Illinois House of Representatives.

House Panel Approves Traffic Stops Bill (03/01/2000)
WASHINGTON -- The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded the House Judiciary Committee's unanimous vote in favor of legislation that would begin to address the national epidemic of racially motivated traffic stops.

ACLU, Urban League Urge Support for Racial Profiling Legislation in St. Louis (02/24/2000)
ST. LOUIS, MO -- At a news conference today, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Urban League, and other community groups joined State Representative Russell Gunn support of his proposed legislation requiring state and local law enforcement officials to collect data on the racial composition of people pulled over for suspected traffic violations.

ACLU Calls on House Panel To Approve Traffic Stops Bill (02/15/2000)
WASHINGTON -- The American Civil Liberties Union today urged the House Judiciary Committee to approve legislation that would begin to address the national epidemic of racially motivated traffic stops.

Racial Profiling Scandals Rock Chicago Suburbs (02/12/2000)
CHICAGO - According to a story in today's Chicago Sun Times, four additional current and former Highland Park police department employees have come forward to back allegations of racial profiling, discrimination and other wrongdoing within the 45-member North Shore department.

ACLU of Washington Bills Aim To Curb "Driving While Black or Brown" (01/24/2000)
OLYMPIA, WA--The American Civil Liberties of Washington said today that it is drafting House and Senate bills requiring police agencies to gather statistics on the use of racial profiling on the state's streets and highways.

Law Enforcement, Rights Groups Urge Gov. Bush To Match Racial Justice Rhetoric With Action (01/19/2000)
WASHINGTON -- Responding to George W. Bush's vague answers on racial profiling at a recent debate, law enforcement and civil rights groups today sent a letter asking the Texas governor to take concrete steps to address the problem of racial profiling in his state.

Conn. City Celebrates M.L.K. Day by Banning Racial Profiling (01/18/2000)
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT - According to the Associated Press, Stamford is the first community in Connecticut to formally ban racial profiling, a practice in which minorities are targeted by law enforcement because of their race.

ACLU of Illinois Announces Full Support for Legislation to Study Racial Profiling (01/17/2000)
CHICAGO -- On a day when most Americans take time to celebrate important advancements in civil rights under the leadership of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois today announced its support for legislation aimed at addressing the pervasive problem of racial profiling.

NYCLU Files Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit On Behalf of Broadway Star of 'Ragtime' (01/12/2000)
NEW YORK -- The New York Civil Liberties Union today filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on behalf of Alton Fitzgerald White, an African-American man who plays the lead role in the Broadway production of 'Ragtime'.

ACLU of Tennessee Launches Statewide Campaign to End Racial Profiling (01/07/2000)
NASHVILLE, TN -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee today announced a statewide campaign to fight racial profiling, the law enforcement practice of disproportionately stopping and searching racial minorities for no reason except the color of their skin.

U.S. Justice Department and State of New Jersey Enter Into Consent Decree (12/29/1999)
NEW JERSEY -- Last week, the State of New Jersey and its Division of State Police entered into a far-reaching settlement with the U.S. Justice Department that includes the establishment of an independent monitor to ensure that racial profiling by state troopers cease.

Legislation to Target DWB in Florida (12/22/1999)
JACKSONVILLE -- According to the Florida Times-Union, Frank Josenhans didn't feel right about the way Volusia County deputies were conducting traffic stops in the late 1980s.

Utah Legislator to Introduce Racial Profiling Bill (12/22/1999)
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Bourdeaux, D-Salt Lake City, said he was spurred by numerous complaints from minorities who say they have been stopped because of their color -- not their driving. "I've had problems personally," said Bourdeaux, the state's only African-American lawmaker.

Police and Community React to San Jose Traffic Stop Data (12/18/1999)
SAN JOSE, CA - The San Jose Mercury News reported today that local police stop black and Latino drivers at far higher rates than whites and Asian-Americans, according to a long-awaited report on racial profiling released by the police department Friday.

Richmond Police Chief Calls Addressing DWB an "Opportunity" (12/16/1999)
RICHMOND, VA - According to a story in this week's Richmond Free Press, Richmond's Police Chief Jerry Oliver says that he is taking the national controversy over racial profiling and doing positive things with it.

ACLU Challenges Pennsylvania Legislature to Combat Racial Profiling (12/14/1999)
HARRISBURG, PA -- At a public hearing today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania called on the state General Assembly to enact tough legislation to combat racial profiling, the police practice of stopping and searching motorists based on race.

ACLU Applauds Latino Partnership on Racial Profiling (12/14/1999)
WASHINGTON -- Saying it represented another powerful blow against racial profiling, the American Civil Liberties Union today applauded the new partnership by the National Council of La Raza and the two largest organizations representing Hispanic law enforcement officials to fight improper police practices.

ACLU to Distribute 50,000 Racial Profiling Resource Kits at Black College Super Bowl (12/14/1999)
NEW YORK -- Escalating its attack on racial profiling, the American Civil Liberties Union is distributing 50,000 "Driving While Black or Brown" kits to attendees of the McDonald's Heritage Bowl (also known as the "Black College Super Bowl") in Atlanta this weekend. The kits will provide attendees of the four-day festivities (Dec 15-18) with the tools they need to help end the practice of racial profiling by law enforcement agencies.

Michigan State Police Join National Push to Collect Race Data on Traffic Stops (12/10/1999)
MICHIGAN - According to a story in today's Detroit News, the Michigan State Police will begin in January tracking the race of all drivers pulled over for traffic stops. Reflecting a nationwide push for such monitoring programs, troopers will log the race and gender of every motorist stopped -- even if no ticket is issued. They'll also note whether the vehicle was searched.

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