Chapters
The work of the ACLU could not be accomplished without the ongoing efforts of its chapter members. Each affiliate has chapters which help to do local lobbying and serve as extensions of the organization. Chapter activists monitor local school boards, city councils, county supervisors and community issues to help protect civil liberties and civil rights. Chapter activists also sponsor public forums and help to educate their communities about current issues.
Take a look at the chapter listings below to see what's afoot in your area.
To view our Chapter Manual, and other important Chapter documents, visit our Chapter Resources Site (login required).
- Desert
- Hollywood
- Kern County
- LGBT
- Long Beach
- Orange County
- Pasadena-Foothill
- Pomona Valley
- San Fernando Valley
- Santa Barbara County
- Singles
- South Bay
- Ventura County
- Westside
- Chapter Council
Desert
Contact: ddufault@mail.sdsu.edu or call (760) 345-6293
News & Events: Download our Fall 2008 newsletter.
What:"Democracy in Riverside County: How Safe are Our Votes?" Featuring Tom Courbat, Coordinator, Save R Vote
When: Oct. 19, 1-3 p.m.
Where: Metropolitan Community Church, 32150 Candlewood Dr., Cathedral City
Cost: Free
Our election is less than a month away. California Secretary of State Debra Bowen decertified the Riverside County computer voting machines prior to the June primary. More recently, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors requested an audit after Save R Vote released an analysis of thousands of documents from the June elections. The report cited a failure to count all the ballots received at the start of the day, to seal ballot boxes delivered to the collection centers, or to complete forms meant to account for all ballots. On November 4th, will our votes be counted with accuracy and transparency? Download the flyer for this event.
Last updated: Oct 9, 2008
Kern County
Contact: Colby Natale, Chapter Chairman, 661-805-8333 or kerncountyaclu@yahoo.com
Last updated: Jul 18, 2005
LGBT
Contact: Rob Hennig at (310)289-1299 or e-mail rahennig@ix.netcom.com
Last updated: Sep 10, 2008
Orange County
Contact: (949)660-5502 or e-mail rareed657@socal.rr.com
Meeting Info: Chapter meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. for social, 7:30 p.m. for speaker (but no meeting in December). Meetings are at 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine (Irvine Ranch Water District).
Last updated: Jun 27, 2008
Pasadena-Foothill
Contact: aclupasadena@yahoo.com (626)389-4107. Go to our Yahoo groups page to sign up and receive chapter information on moderated listserve.
Chapter's Region: Altadena, Arcadia, Glendale, La Canada, La Crescenta, LA (Glassell Park, Mt. Washington, Highland Park, Eagle Rock), Monrovia, Montrose, Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, and Sierra Madre
Meeting Info: Public Forums are held on the second Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September and November at Neighborhood Church, 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena. Exiting off the 134 freeway, the church is two blocks north. Exiting off the 110 freeway, it's two miles north. Meetings are held in the large building in the rear.
News & Events:
ACLU’s Agenda for the First 100 Days of the Obama Presidency
When: Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, 7 p.m.
Where: Neighborhood Church 301 North Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena 91103
Details: Michael Rapkin, defense attorney for Saudi prisoner at Guantanamo and member of ACLU Foundation Board
Read our latest chapter newsletter (PDF)
PLACING POLICE IN PASADENA MIDDLE SCHOOLS?
In 2006, the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) entered into an agreement with Pasadena to station armed police officers on high school campuses. PUSD Superintendent Edwin Diaz now recommends expanding the program onto the Washington and Wilson Middle Schools, where some of the students are only twelve years old. While the ACLU supports providing safe learning environments for all students, we maintain that PUSD middle schools are not a source of concern in this regard and that there are more effective means to achieve safe educational environments.
There is a national trend of placing police in public schools, resulting in a “school to prison pipeline.” (See NYC’s experience. Children’s Defense Fund Director Marian Wright Edelman notes that “…schools are becoming the point of entry into the juvenile justice system, as children are increasingly arrested on school grounds for subjectively and loosely defined behaviors, such as ’disorderly conduct’ and ’malicious mischief.’
Parents and community members have raised the following concerns with PUSD:
- The failure to advise parents before their children are arrested
- The failure to evaluate the use of police in high schools before proposing to place armed officers on middle school campuses
- The unfamiliarity of many immigrant households with United States policies and procedures. (These parents requested PUSD provide training on the legal rights and responsibilities of students and their guardians)
- The intimidation and cajoling of students by school and police officials, undertaken outside the presence of parents and meant to induce student admissions. These admissions are then used as bases for arresting and imprisoning some students. (Reportedly, minor students are advised of their rights to remain silent, to have their parents present and to have an attorney, only after they are arrested. Admissions made before minors are arrested are subsequently used to convict students.) An excessively high number of students arrested in this manner are African American and Latino.
After hearing testimony from ACLU/PF and others at the November Board meeting, the Board tabled the proposal to place armed police in middle schools and directed staff to: Investigate the number and nature of interrogations of students, research the right and propriety of students to remain silent, and work with the community to propose an appropriate agreement regarding the use of police in schools. The Board will take up this issue in a future meeting.
Parents or members of the public who have knowledge of such problems with policing on campus can leave their name and number at the ACLU/PF chapter’s message number 626.389.4107 or email details to aclupasadena (at) yahoo.com.
Last updated: Dec 18, 2008
San Fernando Valley
Contact: Contact Info: Ken Ronney at 818-996-1630 or e-mail to: SFVchaptACLU@aol.com or Norm Beal, 818-344-9241.
Meeting Info: Monthly chapter Board meetings are held in Reseda, on the second Monday of each month, at 7:00 p.m. Contact Ken Ronney, 818 996-1630 for address information.
News & Events: The Chapter's working committees are moving forward planning upcoming events and activities. We want our programs to succeed and can use your help. Participation by women and people of color is highly encouraged. Download our Fall 2008 newsletter.
Last updated: Sep 9, 2008
Santa Barbara County
Contact: P.O. Box 30645, Santa Barbara, CA 93130, (805)966-1216
Meeting Info: Chapter meetings, open to all members, are held the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Franklin Center, 1136 East Montecito Street in Santa Barbara.
News & Events: Download our Fall 2008 newsletter.
Last updated: Sep 9, 2008
Singles
Contact: Dean at (310) 392-7149 or Jake at (310) 559-1493, or dean.ruby@worldnet.att.net
Meeting Info: The Singles Chapter holds public forums on issues related to civil liberties. All meetings are free and light refreshments are provided. The usual format includes a question and answer session following the speakers. Parking is free. The meeting location is wheelchair accessible.
Last updated: Jun 27, 2008
South Bay
Contact: Dan Pasley at (310)519-1500
Meeting Info: The South Bay Chapter has its regular planning meetings at 7:00 p.m. on the first Friday of each month at the Harry Bridges Institute, 350 W. 5th Street, Suite 209, San Pedro (please enter through the back door & take the elevator or stairs to the 2nd floor).
News & Events: Our traditional Upton Sinclair Arts and Lecture Series continues; summer/fall dates and topics TBA.
Last updated: Jun 27, 2008
Ventura County
Contact: aclu.vc@verizon.net or (805)389-0859
News & Events: Download our Fall 2008 newsletter.
Last updated: Sep 9, 2008
Westside
Contact: aclulawestside1@yahoo.com or (310) 390-6640.
Meeting Info: Meetings are the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Please call for location.
News & Events: The Westside ACLU "Freedom Readers" book club will meet Saturday, January 31, 2:00 p.m. at the Novel Cafe, 212 Pier Ave Santa Monica, to discuss "Slavery by Another Name" by Douglas Blackmon. RSVP required (seating limited) 310.390.6640 (leave name and number) or aclulawestside1@yahoo.com. Snacks, coffee and tea are available at the café - parking is across Main St in public lot.
When: January 31, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Novel Cafe, 212 Pier Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Contact: 310.390.6640
Last updated: Dec 22, 2008
Chapter Council
Contact: For meeting schedule and information, contact the ACLU at info@aclu-sc.org or call (213) 977-9500.
News & Events: Meetings are held at the ACLU of Southern California 1313 West Eighth St. Los Angeles All chapter activists are invited to attend.
Last updated: Jun 20, 2008
