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american civil liberties union

Criminal Justice, News, Social Justice

ACLU Files Lawsuit Against City of Denver for Outrageous Bail Bond Fees

In a righteous blow to the prison industrial complex’s enduring grab for funds from already cash-strapped communities, the American Civil Liberties Union has brought a lawsuit against the city of Denver for what it terms illegal jail bond fees. The lawsuit reportedly began when a Denver man committed a petty crime by breaking a city…

By

Angela Helm

Published

October 11, 2018
Criminal Justice, News, Social Justice

Domestic Violence Survivor Wins Settlement Against City That Evicted Her for Calling 911

Did you know that there are towns in this country that penalize people—even victims of crimes—if they call 911 too many times? Domestic violence survivor Rosetta Watson found this out the hard way in 2012 when the city of Maplewood, Mo., evicted her from her residence and barred her from living anywhere else in the…

By

Monique Judge

Published

September 12, 2018
Criminal Justice, News, Social Justice

Is This a Youth Diversion Program or School-to-Prison Pipeline Feeder System?

Prior to a few years ago, I had never heard of a preschool student being suspended from school. The idea made no sense to me. How could a 3-, 4-, or 5-year-old child who is still learning the basics of sitting still for more than five minutes at a time possibly learn anything from such…

By

Monique Judge

Published

July 10, 2018
Unlawful Detention and Tasing Claim on Behalf of Black Man Ends With $110,000 Settlement

Another day, another video showing law-enforcement officers abusing their powers against a black man—but this time the case ends with the city of Aurora, Colo., agreeing to pay $110,000 to settle a claim brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado on behalf of Darsean Kelley, who was unlawfully stopped, detained and tased by…

By

Monique Judge

Published

July 27, 2017
ACLU Sues DC Police, Claims Officers Wrongfully Arrested Protesters During Trump’s Inauguration

The American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit against the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department, claiming that officers wrongfully arrested innocent protesters during President Donald Trump’s inauguration back in January. According to The Hill, among the plaintiffs are a photojournalist, a legal observer and two protesters, who the lawsuit…

By

Breanna Edwards

Published

June 22, 2017
Politics

ACLU Makes the Case for Giving Formerly Incarcerated a Fair Chance at Employment

One in 3 American adults—70 million in total—have a criminal record, making it difficult for them to re-enter their communities, find gainful employment, build stability and find success after incarceration. A report from the American Civil Liberties Union highlights the benefit to all that comes when companies give such individuals a second chance. “Back to…

By

Monique Judge

Published

June 9, 2017
Former W.Va. Cop Sues City of Weirton, Claims He was Fired for Not Shooting at Suspect

A former Weirton, W.Va., police officer filed a lawsuit against the city Wednesday, claiming that he was fired for allegedly endangering colleagues after he opted not to shoot and kill a man who had brandished a gun during a domestic dispute. According to Reuters, Stephen Mader, the former cop in question, responded to the dispute…

By

Breanna Edwards

Published

May 10, 2017
American Civil Liberties Union Responds to Trump’s New Mass-Deportation Instructions

On Tuesday the Trump administration revealed its new guidelines for the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants in the United States and at the border, allowing federal authorities to take a more aggressive stance on illegal immigration, prompting a swift response from the American Civil Liberties Union. Omar Jadwat, director of the ACLU’s Immigrants Rights Project,…

By

Monique Judge

Published

February 21, 2017
ACLU of Oregon Recommends Changes to Portland Police Protest Policy

The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon sent a letter to the Portland Police Bureau on Wednesday addressing concerns about the bureau’s current crowd-control policies when responding to protests. In the letter (pdf) addressed to Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Portland Police Bureau Chief Michael Marshman, the ACLU notes that the Crowd Control Workgroup of…

By

Monique Judge

Published

February 15, 2017
ACLU: Tech Firms Need to Help Lobby for Surveillance Reform in Light of Trump Presidency

The American Civil Liberties Union is asking tech companies to help push for surveillance reform in the U.S., warning that there is an added urgency now that newly elected President Donald Trump has demonstrated that he is hostile to the privacy of foreign travelers. From TechCrunch: Late last week one of the ACLU’s staff attorneys…

By

Monique Judge

Published

February 13, 2017