As the administration continues to threaten the fabric of our democracy, we urge the courts to continue safeguarding our rights.
A nonprofit, nonpartisan, legal and advocacy 501(c)(4) organization that defends rights for all.
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As the administration continues to threaten the fabric of our democracy, we urge the courts to continue safeguarding our rights.
In a victory for Californians – and everyone who has rallied against Trump's unlawful military deployments, a federal judge rejected the administration's assertion that it could deploy troops anywhere government personnel or federal property could be harmed.
Our communities deserve to be safe and free from military intimidation. Today, a federal court rightly rejected the Trump administration's deployment of troops in Los Angeles.
Reading up on the Chicano Moratorium of 1970 to prepare for the context of a 55th anniversary this weekend. Several great books, but this passage stuck out. Written by Hunter S Thompson after Ruben Salazar was killed by LASD deputies there 55 years ago today. From “Strange Rumblings in Aztlan”:
And on Monday, August 25, we’ll demonstrate to a federal court why we must stop this administration's blatant disregard of our First Amendment rights.
Earlier this summer, we sued the Department of Homeland Security for their agents' use of excessive force against protesters, journalists and legal observers.
Exercising our right to protest and report on government activity should never be met with retaliatory attacks by the federal government.
And on Monday, August 25, we’ll demonstrate to a federal court why we must stop this administration's blatant disregard of our First Amendment rights.
All of us are a bad break or a twist of fate away from living on the street. Criminalizing homeless is a danger to everyone.
P.S. If enforcement of this proposal runs afoul of disability rights, or a myriad of other protections available under the state and federal constitutions, this proposal may subject the county to liability.
Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Everyone deserves to be treated with equal dignity and respect. Join us in urging the San Bernardino Board of Supervisors to vote no on this cruel anti-camping proposal: secure.ngpvan.com/9vjvg-_Ot0i6...
San Bernardino must focus on expanding affordable and permanent housing options and passing protections to keep precariously housed renters in their homes, not fining and persecuting our poorest community members. Only housing solves houselessness.
The proposed ordinance does nothing to address the reasons people are living outside. Instead of ensuring residents at all income levels have access to affordable permanent homes, the county chooses to criminalize our poorest community members. A move that will not improve public health or safety.
Last Friday, San Bernardino proposed an anti-camping ordinance that would criminalize public sleeping and camping in the county. People who cannot comply with the ordinance would be subject to fines up to $500 per violation. Nonpayment could bar individuals from accessing housing, jobs and more.
We are proud to partner with organizations like @aclu-norcal.bsky.social, @aclusocal.bsky.social, and @innocenceproject.bsky.social in shining a light on police misconduct in California with a new, searchable database. hrdag.org/2025/08/14/m...
President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to DC is a dangerous abuse of emergency power.
Homelessness is a policy failure, not a personal one.
Mahmoud v. Taylor was an awful SCOTUS decision, an attack on the humanity of 🌈 families and on some of the basic premises of public education in a pluralistic society. But it’s not the end of the world or of inclusive education...
We will not allow city councils, school boards or the administration to suppress our freedom of speech. We stand with @chriswarcraft.bsky.social and all others who dare to speak out.
Tonight, in a win for SoCal residents, the Ninth Circuit upheld the temporary restraining order that blocks the administration from conducting racist stops across Los Angeles and surrounding counties. We will never stop fighting for all our immigrant communities.
BREAKING: In a win for SoCal residents and Constitutional rights, the Ninth Circuit denied the administration's request to continue racist, suspicion-less stops while our case proceeds. This means what we all know: Federal agents must follow the law and can’t stop people solely based on race.
HAPPENING NOW: The Haitian Bridge Alliance is in court! HBA is proud to be co-counsel alongside @ndlon.bsky.social @aclu-norcal.bsky.social @aclusocal.bsky.social+ @uclacilp.bsky.social in the —TPS Alliance v Noem case—lead by the NTPSA to protect TPS for people from Haiti and Venezuela Stay tuned
This decision is life saving. The Haitian Bridge Alliance is proud to be co council with @uclacilp.bsky.social @ndlon.bsky.social @aclu-norcal.bsky.social @aclusocal.bsky.social Congratulations to National TPS Alliance for leading the fight Anpil men chay pa lou Many hands lighten the load 💙
We're taking the Trump administration to court over its new policy denying tens of thousands of people in immigration detention their right to seek release on bond. Under this new policy, countless immigrants who've been part of our communities for years could be detained indefinitely by ICE.
As we await the court’s decision and the case goes on, we will continue to fight to keep our communities safe and whole.
Today, we argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to deny the government’s stay (which would pause the TRO). We’re hopeful the Ninth Circuit keeps the district court’s order in place and continue to protect the right to move and live free from discrimination for all community members.
This month, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) barring federal agents from conducting racist, suspicion-less stops. The order also ordered that immigrants arrested must have access to legal counsel. The federal government then immediately challenged the TRO and appealed.
We all have a fundamental right to protest and assemble, especially to call attention to the actions of our elected officials. Learn more about your rights 👇🏽👇🏿👇🏼
Chris Kluwe (@chriswarcraft.bsky.social) exercised his right to peacefully demonstrate during a Huntington Beach City Council meeting and lost his job coaching at a local high school.
AI technology is here to stay — it's up to us to ensure our civil rights and freedoms aren't compromised as it proliferates. At our first ever AI Summit, we committed to work together to center the human impacts of decisions made in this digital age.
Because we keep us safe. In his first week, our new Executive Director Chandra Bhatnagar reminds us what’s truly extraordinary about this moment: the courage of Angelenos to do what’s right.
TAKE ACTION ‼️ Join us in urging Los Angeles D.A. Hochman to drop all charges against those arrested during recent protests across Southern California. Send your message now: aclusocal.co/la-da-drop-protesters-charges
We the people are winning, and we will continue to fight until all of our communities are safe and whole.
We said it then, and we'll say it now: There is absolutely no basis for federal troops occupying the streets of Los Angeles, and no government should be allowed to attack its own people.
This partial withdrawal validates what we and the world over have witnessed in these past six weeks — Angelenos coming together for each other in peaceful protest against the administration's violent, military operations and theatrics.
Good. President Trump's deployment of thousands of federalized National Guard troops to LA is a dangerous abuse of power intended to scare people who oppose his draconian anti-immigrant policies into silence. This partial reversal proves what we already knew: When we fight back, we win.
The Huntington Park City Council unanimously passed a Sanctuary City Ordinance to defend immigrant residents. Here’s what the ordinance will do ⬇️
After thousands of unlawful arrests in the Los Angeles area, @aclusocal.bsky.social and our community partners held firm to defend immigrants' rights. We celebrate this win and we'll keep fighting.
ICE's actions in Los Angeles are reckless and unconstitutional. The ACLU of Southern California took DHS to court.
BREAKING: A federal court blocked DHS from racial profiling and denying immigrants access to counsel when arrested. No matter your status, skin color or the language your speak, we all are guaranteed constitutional rights from unlawful stops.
This tragic loss is a result of the violence that the federal government has perpetrated against our communities. No one should live or work in fear of being killed.
We’re in court now seeking a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to prohibit the federal government from conducting immigration enforcement stops through racial profiling. Trump’s campaign of terrorizing our communities must end now.
Last week, we sued DHS for abducting and disappearing residents across Southern California. We won’t stop until we all can move freely and safely through our communities.
Violently tearing families apart to meet arbitrary arrest quotas set by the Trump administration won’t fly in the southland. We will hold DHS accountable.
BREAKING: We just sued DHS for abducting and disappearing residents across Southern California. Everyone deserves to feel safe going about their daily lives. DHS must stop tearing up our communities.
BREAKING: The Senate just passed the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," gutting Medicaid, defunding Planned Parenthood, and supercharging funding for ICE to carry out mass deportations.
BREAKING: We're filing a new class-action lawsuit to challenge President Trump's lawsuit restricting birthright citizenship. The 14th Amendment is clear: Every child born on U.S. soil is a citizen, whether the president likes it or not.
"It is heartbreaking to see so much suffering in our community, caused by those who have sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution. Yet, among the pain, I also see hope." — ACLU SoCal Chief Legal and Advocacy Officer Victor Leung
More: www.aclusocal.org/en/press-rel... @aclu.org
BREAKING: We just sued the Department of Homeland Security over their use of excessive force against protesters, reporters and legal observers. Exercising our rights to free speech should never be met with retaliatory attacks by federal agents. We’ll see you in court, DHS.
We will continue to support and help strengthen the California laws and policies that affirm trans young people’s right to be authentically themselves.
The attacks on essential health care for trans young people are part of an attempt to erase scapegoated communities from public life. Families, doctors, and patients deserve trust, respect, and privacy as they make medical decisions without political interference.
Though today’s SCOTUS decision is devastating for trans people across the country, California law still protects the rights of trans youth to access the care they need. Trans young people thrive when we all build a gender-affirming future they can see themselves in.
To all trans youth: We're with you. We have your back, and we will never stop fighting alongside you for the futures you deserve.
BREAKING: A federal judge ruled all transgender and intersex people can obtain passports that align with their gender identity while the case against President Trump's executive order proceeds. While this is good news, we will continue fighting until this executive order is blocked permanently.
Every child who lives in California has the right to a free public education regardless of their immigration status. Schools have the obligation to ensure families know that students have the right to attend California public schools.
(image via padilla.senate.gov)
We are alarmed but not surprised that the administration’s goons accosted and handcuffed a sitting U.S. senator at a press conference in L.A. today, given federal agents’ ongoing, reprehensible and inhumane treatment of immigrant Californians. The people are watching, and we will rise.
Day in and day out, the City of Angels continues to show up for our immigrant families. We join hand-in-hand, speaking truth to power, to keep L.A. safe and whole.
Threats to use surveillance to punish people exercising their First Amendment rights are fundamentally antidemocratic and raise serious constitutional concerns. We will not let law enforcement intimidate us into silence.
If you, or someone close to you, has been subjected to excessive force at the hands of the police, sheriff’s deputies, ICE or other agencies, please let us know by visiting aclusocal.org/la-protests .
We are alarmed by reports that protesters in Los Angeles have been injured by local, state, and federal government agencies in the past few days.
Please share this far and wide ‼️
Glendale ends ICE contract, will no longer hold detainees
DAVID IS RELEASED and with his family! He still faces an unjust felony charge. While we’re relieved that David is out after three nights in detention, we demand the Trump regime drop the unjust charge against him & end the raids! seiu.co/endraids #FreeDavidEndRaids
📣📣 ACTION ALERT: The Trump Administration is implementing a new travel ban that restricts the entry of nationals from 12 countries, most of which are Muslim-majority, and limits the entry of citizens from 7 other countries.
For those out protesting, exercise caution and know your rights: aclusocal.co/protest-rights
Military style ICE raids in our communities. David Huerta was beaten and dragged away. Because he saw them and stood up for justice. Because he’s not afraid. Neither are we. On MONDAY let's #FreeDavidHuerta, #FreeThemAll 11:00 AM @ Grand Park in Downtown LA (200 N Grand Ave)
We intend to file suit and hold this administration accountable and to protect our communities from further attacks.
There is no rational reason to deploy the National Guard on Angelenos, who are rightfully outraged by the federal government’s attack on our communities and justly exercising their First Amendment right to protest the violent separation of our families.
Rather, the only threat to safety today is the masked goon squads that the Trump administration has deployed to terrorize the communities of Los Angeles County.
Workers in our garment districts or day laborers seeking work outside of Home Depot do not undermine public safety. They are our fathers and mothers and neighbors going about their day and making ends meet.
The Trump administration's baseless deployment of the National Guard is plainly retaliation against California, a stronghold for immigrant communities, and is akin to a declaration of war on all Californians.
Since yesterday, immigration and other law enforcement have inflicted terror and chaos on residents of LA. The leader of California's largest union was among those arrested for protesting ICE's cruelty. Congress must hold President Trump accountable and stop him from terrorizing our communities.
More: aclusocal.org/en/press-releases/aclu-statement-ice-raids-los-angeles
Since yesterday, federal agents have raided multiple L.A. workplaces in the Fashion District, a Westlake Home Depot, and other locales. We call on our elected officials to uphold their commitment to all Angelenos, immigrants and non-immigrants alike.
In recognition of their life-saving work, Rep. Kamlager-Dove introduced the FIRE Act to establish fair labor standards, provide occupational protections, and expand opportunities for both current and formerly incarcerated individuals in firefighting.
Earlier this year, over 1,000 incarcerated firefighters contributed significantly to combating wildfires in Southern California, despite making between $5-$10 per day and often being barred from future firefighting careers due to their criminal record.
BREAKING: The Supreme Court backs Trump administration stripping protections for 350,000 Venezuelan TPS holders, putting them at risk of deportation. www.aclusocal.org/en/press-rel...
Your voice is needed. Send a message to L.A. City Council urging them to reject the mayor’s proposed cuts to transportation, street services, engineering and street lighting. We need safe streets, not more police.
And police in L.A. stop Black drivers at five times the rate as their white counterparts, though they are less likely to be found with contraband. Paying police higher salaries and bigger bonuses to conduct more discriminatory traffic stops will not prevent the next fatal crash from occurring.
We all should be able to move freely and safely — especially in our own communities. But, last year alone, nearly 2,000 people in L.A. died or were seriously injured in preventable traffic crashes — most of whom were children.
Punishing people for being poor does not solve the underlying issues driving California’s housing crisis. We call on city and county leaders across the state to reject Governor @gavinnewsom.bsky.social cruel and inhumane model ordinance.
If you or your loved one is stopped or arrested by Border Patrol or ICE, or if you’ve witnessed their actions, please contact your local rapid response network.
Good news: A federal court barred Border Patrol from stopping and arresting people using practices that violate the Constitution. We shouldn't have to live our lives in fear of being stopped by ICE. @ufw.bsky.social @aclu.org @aclu-norcal.bsky.social @sdicaclu.bsky.social
ICE illegally arrested Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi outside his citizenship appointment solely because of his advocacy in support of Palestinian rights. His release from detention on bail is a win for free speech.
BREAKING: In a major civil rights victory, a federal court today issued a preliminary injunction barring Border Patrol from using stop-and-arrest practices that violate federal law and the U.S. Constitution. They can’t target people just because they’re Brown, or day laborers, or farm workers.
Melissa Camacho, of @aclusocal.bsky.social, pointed out that some oversight inspectors have found staff sleeping or watching explicit films on the job, and maybe an external staffing level audit would help.
Our client Rümeysa Öztürk has not been charged with any crime. She is being held in ICE detention in retaliation for her political beliefs. Writing an op-ed is not a deportable offense.
Administrators at two LA elementary schools turned DHS agents away this week when they showed up asking to speak to students. No valid search warrant, no entry. Here’s what a judicial search warrant looks like:
The majority of attempted book bans in 2024 were for books about LGBTQ people or people of color. We have a right to read and learn about our communities, free from censorship.
📌Join us TUESDAY at 500 West Temple 🥁Rally at 8:30am 🗣️Board Meeting starts at 9:30 👉🏾In-person Comment after the Men’s Central Jail Closure Presentation 👉🏾Live Phone Comment (if you’re away) THIS IS THE TIME TO SHOW UP FOR ABOLITION. 🥁RSVP: jlanow.org/april8rally
“We’re trying to make a broken system a little safer and cleaner,” Garrow said. “But we know that what people actually need is safe, permanent housing that they can afford.” It’s time to take meaningful measures to address homelessness, pass #AB1165! calmatters.org/housing/home...
Follow @justicela.bsky.social @carefirstca.bsky.social and @essie4justice.bsky.social for more ways to take action.
UPDATE: 15 people have now died in the L.A. County jails this year. Enough is enough. Join us and our partners in calling on the L.A. County Board of Supervisors to close Men's Central Jail as promised six years ago.
“Anti-loitering laws have historically been used by law enforcement and prosecutors against communities of color and queer communities — particularly queer men of color" - Minouche Kandel, Senior Staff Attorney with @aclusocal.bsky.social www.sacbee.com/opinion/arti...
Today, the court found the OCDA had a deliberate policy of refusing to follow the Public Records Act, keeping vital racial justice data hidden from the public and criminal defense attorneys. More: aclusocal.co/breaking-ocda-rja
In 2022, we filed a lawsuit challenging DA Spitzer’s refusal to release prosecutorial data on behalf of Chicanxs Unidxs with partners @aclu-norcal.bsky.social and the Peace and Justice Law Center.