Suit Challenges Costa Mesa Ordinance

MALDEF, the ACLU of Southern California and the National Day Laborer’s Organizing Network (NDLON) have filed a lawsuit challenging the City of Costa Mesa’s anti-solicitation ordinance as unconstitutional. The civil rights groups say ordinance violates day laborers’ First Amendment rights.

The Feb. 2, 2010 lawsuit was filed against the City of Costa Mesa on behalf of the Asociacion de Jornaleros de Costa Mesa and the Colectivo Tonantzin, whose members have been restricted from peaceably expressing their need and availability for employment in the city’s public areas due to the ordinance.

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Ensure California's Redistricting Commission Is Diverse!

Right now, California residents can take a lead role in drawing the boundaries for our state Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization districts. Everyday people from throughout the state, rather than only politicians, will have the power to participate in the redistricting process.

Click here to read a personal message from Ramona Ripston about why it's important for you to step up and act as the voice of your community.

Meanwhile, attend a Feb. 2 information session about the redistricting commission.

When: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 2

Where: Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) Headquarters, Edison Room, 634 S. Spring St., Ground Level, Los Angeles 90014

Information: Please call the ACLU/SC Field Department at (213) 977-9500.

LA County Fails to Educate Probation Camp Youth

An alliance of legal groups today filed a ground-breaking, class-action lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Probation Department and top county education officials for their total failure to provide youth in the county’s largest juvenile probation camp with basic and appropriate education, thereby denying them the legally mandated rehabilitative program that should prepare them to reenter society and the work force.

The suit, filed in United States District Court in Los Angeles, charges that county personnel -- including administrators and teachers at the Challenger Memorial Youth Center in Lancaster -- have in some instances thrown worksheets under the door of students’ cells in lieu of classroom instruction, denied all education services when children ask for help or to use the restroom, and systematically denied students access to appropriate instruction and the required minimum school day.

"Our months-long investigation has uncovered a scandal of dimensions that would make Dickens shudder," said Mark Rosenbaum, ACLU/SC legal director.

Listen to one of the youth describe his experiences at Challenger.

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