Home : Racial Justice : Racial Profiling

U.S. Citizen Asks Federal Court to Insure Safe Passage For His Family Back from Canada (12/21/2006)
CHICAGO - The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois today asked a federal judge to help ensure a safe, uneventful trip across the U.S.-Canadian border for a suburban Chicago father and U.S. citizen when he, his wife and young children travel next week.

In Wake of Bell Shooting, NYCLU Protests NYPD Failure to Comply with Racial Profiling Reform Mandated After Diallo Shooting (11/29/2006)
NEW YORK - In light of rekindled debates about race and policing after the Sean Bell shooting, the New York Civil Liberties Union today protested the New York Police Department’s failure to comply with a city law enacted in the aftermath of the 1999 Amadou Diallo police shooting to address concerns about racial profiling.

ACLU of New Mexico Sues DEA, Police Officers for Roughing Up Amtrak Passengers (08/21/2006)
ALBUQUERQUE – The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico filed a lawsuit today against a federal drug enforcement agent and two police officers who illegally searched and roughed up an Armenian couple last summer while their Amtrak train was stopped in Albuquerque. Today’s lawsuit seeks multiple violations of the civil rights of both individuals.

ACLU of Ohio Calls on Police and Local Communities to Stop Profiling (08/15/2006)
MARIETTA, OH - The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today cautioned law enforcement officials and local communities against allowing fears of terrorism to justify ethnic and racial profiling. The statement comes after a week of speculation that two Lebanese-American men arrested in Marietta may have been involved in terrorism because of “suspicious” activities. Yesterday, both men were cleared of all terrorism charges.

Court Approves Settlement of ACLU Lawsuit to End Racial Profiling on Arizona Highways (08/03/2006)
PHOENIX, AZ – U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence O. Anderson today approved a settlement agreement between the American Civil Liberties Union and the Arizona Department of Public Safety to prevent racial profiling by patrol officers along Arizona's highways and streets.

ACLU Supports Investigation Into Civil Liberties Violations by Mayor Frank Melton (07/20/2006)
JACKSON, MS - The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi today announced it’s support for the work of Faye Peterson, Hinds County District Attorney, in investigating allegations that Jackson Mayor Frank Melton has been systematically violating the civil rights of city residents. According to reports from local individuals, Mayor Melton has violated the civil rights of Jacksonians through warrantless searches of homes, vehicles and persons and by violating the due process rights of persons detained and/or accused of crimes.

ACLU of Michigan Settles “Biking While Black” Case; Teens Finally Given Closure (05/30/2006)
DETROIT - The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan announced today that its“bicycling while black” lawsuit, filed eight years ago on behalf of 22 teenagers, has finally been settled in an out-of-court agreement.

ACLU Demands Release of Information on Racial Profiling and Use of Force by New Orleans Police (04/06/2006)
NEW ORLEANS -- In response to news reports of an assault on an African American woman by three white police officers, the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana today filed a Public Records Act request with the New Orleans Police Department seeking information on racial profiling and police misconduct. The civil liberties group is calling for a swift and impartial response to the assault, and seeks systemic reform of the police department.

ACLU of Texas Criticizes Continued Use of Race, Over-Use of Consent Searches in Traffic Stops (02/17/2006)
AUSTIN, TX - A report released today by the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition found that many state law enforcement agencies continue to use consent searches inconsistently and inappropriately, and that consent searches rarely uncover wrongdoing and are more likely to target minorities.

Judge Rules Government Can Target American Citizens Returning From Religious Conferences as Terrorists (12/22/2005)
NEW YORK - In a case brought by the American Civil Liberties Union and the New York Civil Liberties Union, a federal judge in Buffalo, NY ruled today that the federal government can treat innocent American citizens as terrorists when returning to the United States from religious conferences, say the organizations.

ACLU Applauds Senate Reintroduction Of Racial Profiling Bill, Urges Congress To Finally Pass Comprehensive Legislation Next Year (12/19/2005)
WASHINGTON - Noting that the corrosive practice of racial profiling has continued despite President Bush’s promise in 2001 to "end it in America," the American Civil Liberties Union welcomed the reintroduction of the "End Racial Profiling Act" (ERPA) in the Senate late Friday and urged congressional leaders to co-sponsor this important bill and place its enactment at the top of their 2006 legislative agenda.

ACLU Announces Defense of Indians Targeted in Meth Sting Operation (11/21/2005)
ROME, GA - In collaboration with the local community and a national South Asian organization, the American Civil Liberties Union today announced its defense of three convenience store owners and workers of Indian descent arrested for selling common household items that can be used in the production of methamphetamine. The ACLU promised a thorough investigation into claims that law enforcement selectively targeted the Indian community based on national origin and race.

ACLU Report Uncovers Racial Profiling and Poor Police Work in Rhode Island (11/17/2005)
PROVIDENCE, RI -- In a 30-page report released today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island said that a review of the latest statistics on police department traffic stop searches shows continued evidence of racial profiling in the state. The ACLU called the search practices poor police work because, according to the statistics, white drivers are more likely to be found with contraband.

ACLU Says Stealth Racial Profiling Report Shows Need for Federal Legislation (08/30/2005)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union and several other prominent civil rights groups today called upon Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to investigate the apparent attempt by the Justice Department to bury an unfavorable government report on racial profiling.

ACLU and United Airlines Announce Settlement of Case on Behalf of Plaintiffs Assem Bayaa and American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (06/17/2005)
LOS ANGELES -- The American Civil Liberties Union and United Airlines announced today that they have reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought on behalf of Assem Bayaa and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), charging that the airline discriminated against Bayaa by removing him from a flight. While United disputes Bayaa's and ADC's allegations, the parties agree that settlement of this claim is in the best interest of all.

Civil Rights Groups File Freedom of Information Act Request in Wake of Reports of FBI Harassment of Muslims in Lodi, CA (06/16/2005)
SACRAMENTO -- Prompted by reports from the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Sacramento Valley and the Muslim community, the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California and local civil rights groups today filed a Freedom of Information Act request seeking FBI records of the procedures and policies used during the questioning and detention of dozens of Muslims in the Central Valley town of Lodi.

Federal Appeals Court Revives Michigan "Bicycling-While-Black" Lawsuit (06/08/2005)
DETROIT -- A federal appeals court today reinstated a so-called ""bicycling-while-black"" lawsuit after finding that there is enough evidence of racial discrimination and illegal searches by a suburban Detroit police department to take the case to a jury. The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan argued the appeal of the racial profiling lawsuit, which was brought by 21 young African American men in 2001.