Free Speech
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.
Status: Ongoing
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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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156 Free Speech Cases
U.S. Supreme Court
Nov 2014
Free Speech
Williams-Yulee v. The Florida Bar
Whether a candidate for judicial office can be disciplined for sending out a mass mailing soliciting small donations and support.
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U.S. Supreme Court
Nov 2014
Free Speech
Williams-Yulee v. The Florida Bar
Whether a candidate for judicial office can be disciplined for sending out a mass mailing soliciting small donations and support.
Oklahoma
Oct 2014
Free Speech
Capital Punishment
Oklahoma Observer v. Patton – Defending Press Right to Observe Executions
The First Amendment guarantees the public and the press the right to witness certain government proceedings – including public executions. On August 25, 2014, the ACLU and the ACLU of Oklahoma filed a lawsuit arguing that this right was violated during the botched execution of Clayton Lockett in Oklahoma. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of The Guardian and The Oklahoma Observer, whose journalists were deprived the right to view and fully report on the execution.
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Oklahoma
Oct 2014
Free Speech
Capital Punishment
Oklahoma Observer v. Patton – Defending Press Right to Observe Executions
The First Amendment guarantees the public and the press the right to witness certain government proceedings – including public executions. On August 25, 2014, the ACLU and the ACLU of Oklahoma filed a lawsuit arguing that this right was violated during the botched execution of Clayton Lockett in Oklahoma. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of The Guardian and The Oklahoma Observer, whose journalists were deprived the right to view and fully report on the execution.
Court Case
Sep 2014
Free Speech
Women's Rights
University of Utah v. Ambry Genetics
On July 9, 2013, Myriad Genetics, along with the University of Utah Research Foundation, Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, HSC Research and Development Limited Partnership, and Endorecherche, Inc. filed lawsuits against Ambry Genetics and Gene by Gene, two laboratories that began or have proposed to begin offering genetic testing of the BRCA 1 and 2 genes.
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Court Case
Sep 2014
Free Speech
Women's Rights
University of Utah v. Ambry Genetics
On July 9, 2013, Myriad Genetics, along with the University of Utah Research Foundation, Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, HSC Research and Development Limited Partnership, and Endorecherche, Inc. filed lawsuits against Ambry Genetics and Gene by Gene, two laboratories that began or have proposed to begin offering genetic testing of the BRCA 1 and 2 genes.
Court Case
Sep 2014
Free Speech
Antigone Books v. Horne - Challenge to Arizona's Nude Photo Law
An Arizona law passed during the state's 2014 legislative session criminalizes the display, publication, and sale of images fully protected by the First Amendment. On September 23, 2014, the ACLU, the ACLU of Arizona, and Dentons U.S. LLP filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law.
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Court Case
Sep 2014
Free Speech
Antigone Books v. Horne - Challenge to Arizona's Nude Photo Law
An Arizona law passed during the state's 2014 legislative session criminalizes the display, publication, and sale of images fully protected by the First Amendment. On September 23, 2014, the ACLU, the ACLU of Arizona, and Dentons U.S. LLP filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law.
U.S. Supreme Court
Aug 2014
Free Speech
Elonis v. United States
Whether the government is required to prove that someone prosecuted for making threatening statements intended his words to be taken as a threat.
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U.S. Supreme Court
Aug 2014
Free Speech
Elonis v. United States
Whether the government is required to prove that someone prosecuted for making threatening statements intended his words to be taken as a threat.