Free Speech
CAIR-Foundation, Inc and CAIR Florida, Inc. v. DeSantis et al.
The ACLU, the ACLU of Florida, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and their partners represent CAIR and CAIR-Florida in two federal lawsuits challenging Governor DeSantis’s unconstitutional and baseless designation of the nonprofits as “terrorist.” The lawsuits allege violations of CAIR and CAIR-Florida’s rights under the First Amendment and the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Status: Ongoing
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Florida
Nov 2023
Free Speech
+2 Issues
Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Florida v. Raymond Rodrigues
The University of Florida chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine filed a lawsuit on November 16, 2023, challenging the Chancellor of the State University System of Florida’s order to state universities to deactivate the student group. This order threatens the students’ constitutionally-protected right to free speech and association in violation of the First Amendment. The ACLU and its partners are seeking a preliminary injunction that would bar the Chancellor and the University of Florida from deactivating the UF SJP.
U.S. Supreme Court
Sep 2023
Free Speech
Molina v. Book
Whether police officers violated clearly established First Amendment rights when they tear-gassed plaintiffs for serving as legal observers in a public protest.
U.S. Supreme Court
Aug 2023
Free Speech
O’Connor-Ratcliff v. Garnier and Lindke v. Freed
The ACLU, the ACLU of Northern California, and the ACLU of Southern California filed amicus briefs in support of everyday people fighting for government transparency and accountability in two cases set for review by the U.S. Supreme Court this Term: O’Connor-Ratcliff v. Garnier and Lindke v. Freed.
U.S. Supreme Court
Jan 2021
Free Speech
Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L.
On September 25, 2017, the ACLU-PA filed suit on behalf of B.L., a high school sophomore who has been cheerleading since she was in fifth grade and was expelled from the team as punishment for out-of-school speech.
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169 Free Speech Cases
Massachusetts
Jun 2025
Free Speech
President and Fellows of Harvard College v. US Department of Health and Human Services
The federal government threatened to withhold billions of dollars in research funding from Harvard University after the school refused to adopt the government’s preferred ideological approach to who it admits to study, who it employs to teach, and what classes and other programs it offers. The ACLU, ACLU of Massachusetts, and a diverse group of other legal advocacy organizations filed an amicus brief arguing that this is retaliation, coercion, and ideological bullying in violation of the First Amendment.
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Massachusetts
Jun 2025
Free Speech
President and Fellows of Harvard College v. US Department of Health and Human Services
The federal government threatened to withhold billions of dollars in research funding from Harvard University after the school refused to adopt the government’s preferred ideological approach to who it admits to study, who it employs to teach, and what classes and other programs it offers. The ACLU, ACLU of Massachusetts, and a diverse group of other legal advocacy organizations filed an amicus brief arguing that this is retaliation, coercion, and ideological bullying in violation of the First Amendment.
Oklahoma
May 2025
Free Speech
Oklahoma State Department of Education v. Freedom From Religion Foundation
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Oklahoma
May 2025
Free Speech
Oklahoma State Department of Education v. Freedom From Religion Foundation
Oklahoma
May 2025
Free Speech
Walters v. Freedom From Religion Foundation
Whether the Oklahoma Department of Education can sue the Freedom From Religion Foundation for exercising its constitutionally protected speech and petition rights to send advocacy letters to government actors it believes are violating the law.
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Oklahoma
May 2025
Free Speech
Walters v. Freedom From Religion Foundation
Whether the Oklahoma Department of Education can sue the Freedom From Religion Foundation for exercising its constitutionally protected speech and petition rights to send advocacy letters to government actors it believes are violating the law.
Vermont
Apr 2025
Free Speech
Immigrants' Rights
Mahdawi v. Trump
Whether a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. can be arrested and detained on the basis of their political speech and advocacy.
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Vermont
Apr 2025
Free Speech
Immigrants' Rights
Mahdawi v. Trump
Whether a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. can be arrested and detained on the basis of their political speech and advocacy.
New York
Apr 2025
Free Speech
In Re: Application of Isaac Levi Pilant, for an Order Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1782 to Conduct Discovery for Use in a Foreign Proceeding
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New York
Apr 2025
Free Speech