Latest From ACLU of Washington

The latest content and updates from the ACLU of Washington website.

ACLU Urges Seattle City Council to Act on Biased Policing

Document, Published: 
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
The ACLU-WA is urging the Seattle City Council to take concrete actions to curb racially insensitive policing. The action came as the City is defending a Seattle police officer’s use of racially insulting language as an acceptable “control tactic.”
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ACLU-WA Will Continue to Be Vigilant for Internet Censorship in Libraries

News Release, Published: 
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The ACLU of Washington has decided not to appeal the April 10, 2012 ruling by the U.S. District Court in Spokane against library patrons’ challenge of the Internet filtering policy of a regional library system. While the ACLU supports the American Library Association’s position that public libraries should not filter Internet content for patrons, the current facts in the case do not support an effective appeal.
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The Pledge of Allegiance in Washington Public Schools

Document, Published: 
Friday, June 1, 2012
Many public schools in the United States ask students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Some students object to the practice for reasons of conscience. Both the Washington Legislature and the courts have developed a common-sense solution to the conflict: a school may lead students in reciting the Pledge, but it must also respect the wishes of students who choose not to join.
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The Pledge of Allegiance in Washington Public Schools (PDF)

Document, Published: 
Friday, June 1, 2012
Many public schools in the United States ask students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Some students object to the practice for reasons of conscience. Both the Washington Legislature and the courts have developed a common-sense solution to the conflict.
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“It Brought the Good Person Out in Me”: Powwows in Prison

Published: 
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
A great story in the Seattle Times details the successful efforts of Seattle attorney Gabe Galanda to persuade Washington Department of Corrections (DOC) administrators to accommodate the religious rights of Native American inmates at DOC facilities around the state.
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ACLU of Washington Will Continue to Be Vigilant for Internet Censorship in Public Libraries

News Release, Published: 
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The ACLU of Washington has decided not to appeal the April 10, 2012 ruling by the U.S. District Court in Spokane against library patrons’ challenge of the Internet filtering policy of a regional library system. While the ACLU supports the American Library Association’s position that public libraries should not filter Internet content for patrons, the current facts in the case do not support an effective appeal.
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After 18 Years, Death Sentence and Murder Conviction Overturned

Published: 
Friday, May 11, 2012
As of May 10, there is one less person on Washington’s death row. The Washington Supreme Court’s overturning of Darold Stenson’s murder conviction provides a vital lesson about the flaws of our system of capital punishment.
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ACLU Urges City’s Leaders to Agree to Consent Decree with Department of Justice

News Release, Published: 
Thursday, May 10, 2012
To ensure that reforms to the Seattle Police Department are fully implemented and long-lasting, the City needs speedily to agree to a consent decree with the Department of Justice that includes a monitor and court oversight. It's clear that the problems within the police department have been so ingrained that our city can't fix them without outside help.
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Eye-in-the- Sky Drones: Will Seattle Set Satisfactory Safeguards?

Published: 
Friday, May 4, 2012
A week ago, on a Friday afternoon, a reporter called us with news that the Seattle Police Department (SPD) had received permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to employ two unmanned aerial drones it had purchased. City officials declined to comment. Did the ACLU have anything to say? You bet!
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ACLU Joins Legal Team Challenging Sound Transit’s Refusal to Run Ad for “Good Jobs”

News Release, Published: 
Friday, May 4, 2012
The ACLU-WA has joined the legal team representing Working Washington in its lawsuit challenging Sound Transit’s refusal to run an ad promoting good jobs for low-income workers at Sea-Tac Airport.
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Lawsuit Challenges Unconstitutional Stops and Interrogations by Border Patrol Agents

News Release, Published: 
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Represented by the ACLU-WA and the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, three residents of the Olympic Peninsula have filed a class-action lawsuit challenging the U.S. Border Patrol's practice of stopping vehicles and interrogating occupants without legal justification. People are being stopped based solely on their appearance and ethnicity. This is unlawful and contrary to American values.
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Forks Human Rights Group Statement

News Release, Published: 
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Since 2008, our community members have been going through difficult times due to the racial profiling by Border Patrol agents in our area. We acknowledge the importance of this agency and their job of protecting our borders. We also recognize that some agents have gone beyond their boundaries, showing a lack of professionalism and unethical behavior.
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