Top Stories From the ACLU of Southern California

ACLU/SC Launches Seth Walsh Project to Combat Bullying in California Schools

ACLU/SC announces the launch of the Seth Walsh Students’ Rights Project (“Seth Walsh Project”)—a major new initiative aimed at combating bullying and discrimination in California schools, particularly harassment directed at lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning students.

Jun 16, 2011 |  permalink

Revenue to the Rescue!

The ACLU of Southern California joined advocates and community members at a rally at the Governor’s downtown Los Angeles office today urging California legislators to pass a fair and humane budget that includes crucial revenue solutions.

Jun 15, 2011 |  permalink

VA Facility in West Los Angeles Abandons Homeless Veterans - Lawsuit Challenges VA’s Misuse of Land Given to House Injured Vets

(Los Angeles)- Four homeless veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other disabilities today sued Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and the director of the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System for misusing the VA campus in West Los Angeles. They filed suit on behalf of hundreds of other severely disabled homeless veterans in the Los Angeles area. Vietnam Veterans of America joined the four individuals as plaintiff in the suit, which was filed in U.S District Court for the Central District of California.

Jun 8, 2011 |  permalink

California Department of Corrections Agrees to Amend Policy to Allow Sikh Inmate to Freely Practice His Faith

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) agreed today to amend its grooming policies to allow inmates to maintain beards in accordance with their faith in response to a lawsuit filed by the ACLU Foundation of Southern California, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Sikh Coalition.

Jun 7, 2011 |  permalink

Seth’s Law Passes State Assembly

AB 9 is an important step toward creating a safer school environment for California students

LGBT equality organizations disappointed by removal of key provisions

The California State Assembly has passed Seth’s Law (AB 9), in a 52-26 vote. Seth’s Law is designed to address the pervasive problem of school bullying by providing California schools with tools to create a safe school environment for all students.

Jun 3, 2011 |  permalink

Mark Rosenbaum's Statement in Response to the Death of Geronimo Pratt

It’s not well known that the State several times offered Geronimo parole if he confessed to the brutal murders for which he was convicted and framed by local law enforcement and the FBI. Geronimo refused each time, though it meant he could not be free, could not be with his wife and the child he had never spent time with because he was born after Geronimo was sent to prison.

Jun 3, 2011 |  permalink

ACLU Calls On Rowland Unified School District to Stop Censoring LGBT Websites

The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Southern California warned Rowland Unified School District that its Internet filtering software has been improperly configured to block access to web content geared toward the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities.

May 31, 2011 |  permalink

Federal Court Declares Veterans Administration Violated Free Speech Rights of Veteran

A federal court has ruled that the Veterans Administration (VA) violated the free speech rights of a veteran who protested the agency’s failure to use part of its property in west Los Angeles for the benefit and care of veterans, particularly those who are homeless.

May 27, 2011 |  permalink

Citizen Invokes Right to an Attorney, FBI Retaliates by Revoking Wife’s Visa

(LOS ANGELES)-The ACLU of Southern California announced that it has filed a lawsuit on behalf of American citizen Samy Ali, to challenge the federal government’s revocation of his wife’s visa in retaliation for his exercising the right to counsel during FBI questioning.

May 25, 2011 |  permalink

ACLU of California Urges Sentencing Reform to Reduce California Prison Population

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of California applauds the U.S. Supreme Court order that the state of California reduce its prison population to alleviate extreme overcrowding that endangers the health and safety of the state’s prisoners and prison staff.

May 23, 2011 |  permalink