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Settlement Reached in Lawsuit Challenging Unreasonable Delays in Granting Citizenship (08/12/2008)
The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP), the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington (ACLU-WA), and the law firms of Stoel Rives and Ropes and Gray today announced that they have reached a preliminary settlement agreement with the federal government in a landmark class action lawsuit.

Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Decorated Air Force Major Discharged on Grounds of Sexual Orientation (05/21/2008)
SEATTLE–The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit today reinstated a lawsuit challenging the dismissal of Major Margaret Witt, a decorated U.S. Air Force flight nurse, on grounds that she engaged in homosexual conduct. The ACLU is representing Major Witt in appealing a lower court ruling that rejected the suit in July 2006.

State Supreme Court Rules against Suspicionless Student Drug Testing (03/13/2008)
The Washington Supreme Court today unanimously found that Wahkiakum School District’s policy of suspicionless urine testing for students who participate in extracurricular athletic activities is unconstitutional. The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington challenged the suspicionless testing program on behalf of two families in the district, including a deputy sheriff and an emergency room doctor.

ACLU of Washington Supports Professor Detained for Taking Photos on Public Property (11/15/2007)
SEATTLE – The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today filed a lawsuit on behalf of Shirley Scheier, a University of Washington professor who was detained by city of Snohomish police for taking photographs of power lines as part of an art project. Filed in Snohomish County Superior Court, the lawsuit seeks compensation for her wrongful detention.

ACLU of Washington Wins Compensation For Wrongfully Arrested Photographer (11/08/2007)
SEATTLE – The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today announced that a Seattle man has obtained a settlement of $8,000 from the city of Seattle after he was arrested simply for taking photographs of police making an arrest. The ACLU represented the photographer in his wrongful arrest case.

ACLU of Washington Seeks to Join Lawsuit to Defend Access to Medicines (08/14/2007)
OLYMPIA, WA – Patients, physicians and concerned women from across Washington state today announced they are seeking to join the state of Washington in a lawsuit defending new rules that require pharmacies to fill valid prescriptions and provide medications without discrimination or delay. The coalition’s goal is to protect everyone’s right to have access to medicines, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington.

Veterans Win Right to Post Religious Symbol on Headstones (04/23/2007)
WASHINGTON – Following separate lawsuits filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Department of Veterans Affairs today agreed to allow family members to include a Wiccan symbol on the headstones of deceased veterans.

Washington Governor Signs Bill Rejecting REAL ID (04/18/2007)
SEATTLE, WA - As part of a growing state rebellion, Gov. Christine Gregoire today signed a bill rejecting REAL ID, a new federal identification system that would create a de facto national ID card. Legislatures in four other states – Maine, Idaho, Arkansas and Montana – also have adopted measures opposing REAL ID, and lawmakers in more than 20 other states are considering similar action.

ACLU Urges Supreme Court to Uphold Fairness in Juror Selection for Death Penalty Cases (04/17/2007)
NEW YORK - The American Civil Liberties Union today urged the United States Supreme Court to uphold established constitutional and legal procedures that help to ensure fair jury selection in death penalty cases.

ACLU Hails Passage of Washington Domestic Partnership Bill (04/11/2007)
OLYMPIA, WA -- The Washington Legislature has approved a domestic partnership bill that extends property and family rights to couples of the same sex. The 63-35 House vote sends the measure to Governor Gregoire for signing and will make Washington the eighth state in the nation to recognize domestic partnerships.

Washington Becomes Fourth State to Oppose REAL ID (04/05/2007)
OLYMPIA, WA - The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today announced that the state legislature passed a bill in a landslide to block implementation of the federal REAL ID Act. The action makes Washington the fourth state to pass legislation opposing the law, joining Maine, Idaho and Arkansas.

Nadler-Harman Bills Would Restore Rule of Law and Due Process, ACLU Welcomes Measures, Urges Congress to Act Swiftly (03/08/2007)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union today welcomed two separate bills introduced by Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA) that would restore Constitutional rights including due process for detainees held at Guantanamo Bay. The "Habeas Corpus Restoration Act of 2007" and "Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007" would fix many of the problems contained in the Military Commissions Act passed by Congress last year.

Supreme Court to Consider School Desegregation Plans (12/04/2006)
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court will hear two cases today that will decide the fate of racial diversity in public schools, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, which filed a brief with the Court in both cases.

In Response to Court Ruling, ACLU of Washington Calls on Legislature to Clarify Medical Marijuana Law (11/22/2006)
OLYMPIA, WA - The Washington Supreme Court today rejected a seriously ill woman’s plea to use medical marijuana to alleviate chronic pain, even though she had a doctor’s written recommendation. The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington said the 6-3 ruling points to the need to clarify the state’s medical marijuana law to ensure that patients are able to exercise their rights.

ACLU Lawsuit Seeks Access to Lawful Information on Internet for Library Patrons in Eastern Washington (11/16/2006)
SPOKANE, WA - Represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, three library users and a nonprofit organization today brought a lawsuit to ensure that patrons of a library system in Eastern Washington have access to useful and lawful information on the Internet.

Sarah Dunne Named as New Legal Director for ACLU of Washington (10/12/2006)
SEATTLE -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today announced that it has hired Sarah Dunne as its new Legal Director. Dunne has more than a dozen years of public interest litigation and policy experience that includes race and sex discrimination cases in the Civil Rights Division of the U. S. Department of Justice.

Veterans Denied Right to Post Religious Symbol on Headstones, ACLU Charges (09/29/2006)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union today filed a lawsuit to protect the right of veterans and their families to choose religious symbols to engrave on headstones in federal cemeteries. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of two churches and three individuals to compel the government to approve the long-pending application for use of a Wiccan symbol on the headstones of service members.

Seattle Settles ACLU Lawsuit Over Violation of Free Speech Rights During WTO Protests (09/14/2006)
SEATTLE -- Resolving a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, Seattle officials will pay a settlement to two people whose free speech rights were violated during the World Trade Organization protests of 1999. The ACLU had charged that police arrested Victor Menotti simply because he was talking about WTO policies on a downtown street, and that a police officer confiscated a sign from Doug Skove because he did not like its content.

ACLU of Washington Defends Free Speech Rights of Lt. Ehren Watada (08/22/2006)
TACOMA, WA -- In a military justice case that has drawn wide attention, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington is backing the free speech rights of a soldier facing court martial for refusing to serve in the war in Iraq. The ACLU today submitted a friend-of-the-court brief contending that Lt. Ehren Watada should not be punished for his public statements expressing legal and moral objections to the war in Iraq.

Washington Supreme Court Fails to Uphold Marriage Equality (07/26/2006)
OLYMPIA, WA -- Reversing rulings in favor of marriage equality by two state courts, the Washington Supreme Court today found that the state’s ban on marriage by same-sex couples does not violate the state constitution. In the appeal of cases brought by 19 couples who wish to marry, the Court upheld the state’s Defense of Marriage Act of 1998 that defines marriage as between one man and one woman.

ACLU Launches Nationwide Action Against NSA Snooping on Americans’ Phone Calls (05/24/2006)
NEW YORK -- Responding to reports that phone companies are turning over private details about Americans’ telephone calls to the National Security Agency, the American Civil Liberties Union today launched a nationwide initiative to end illegal government spying.

ACLU of Washington Challenges Dismissal of Lesbian Air Force Officer (04/12/2006)
SEATTLE, WA - The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today challenged the dismissal of a decorated Major and flight nurse in the U.S. Air Force Reserves for engaging in “homosexual conduct.” The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, seeks to forbid Major Margaret Witt’s discharge.

Washington Court Strikes Down Modern Form of Poll Tax (03/28/2006)
SEATTLE -- In a landmark ruling, King County Superior Court Judge Michael Spearman today struck down a Washington law that denies the right to vote to thousands of ex-felons solely because they owe court-imposed fines. The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington filed the lawsuit on behalf of three individuals who are unable to vote because they are too poor to pay off their court-imposed financial obligations.

ACLU of Washington Seeks Files on Government Surveillance of Peace Groups (03/21/2006)
SEATTLE, WA -- In the wake of revelations of government surveillance of nonviolent protests, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today filed requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) on behalf of itself and 11 peace organizations across the state. The groups are seeking records of any surveillance of their activities by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Defense or the Seattle Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Lawyer Selected to Monitor Washington County’s Troubled Public Defender System (02/02/2006)
SEATTLE -- Seattle attorney Jeffery Robinson has been selected to monitor Grant County’s compliance with terms of a settlement agreement to improve the County’s public defender system. The settlement came in a lawsuit that the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington and Columbia Legal Services brought against the county for failing to provide indigent felony defendants with effective assistance of counsel. It was announced today that Robinson will monitor compliance over the six-year term of the agreement.

Following ACLU of Washington Lawsuit, Grant County Agrees to Overhaul Public Defense System (11/07/2005)
SEATTLE -- Settling a class-action lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington and Columbia Legal Services, Grant County officials have agreed to overhaul the county’s system for providing legal defense to people charged with felonies who cannot afford an attorney.

ACLU of Washington Represents Parents, Students, and Football Coach In Challenge to Suspicionless Drug Testing Of High School Students (09/14/2005)
ELLENSBURG, WA -- Represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, several parents, students, and a football coach are challenging a plan for suspicionless drug testing of students at Cle Elum-Roslyn High School located in the central part of the state.

ACLU of Washington Files Lawsuit over Issaquah Housing Ordinance (08/31/2005)
ISSAQUAH, WA -- The American Civil Liberties Union today filed a lawsuit on behalf of a local mother and her son, challenging a recently passed Issaquah ordinance that imposes highly restrictive limits on housing for people with past convictions for sex offenses.

Appeals Court Finds Government May Have Violated Rights of WTO Protesters in Seattle (06/01/2005)
SEATTLE -- The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today ruled that even in times of unrest, the government cannot arrest protesters simply because of the content of their message. The ruling came in the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington's lawsuit challenging the city of Seattle's establishment and enforcement of a No Protest Zone during the meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1999.

ACLU of Washington, Public Citizen File Lawsuit Backing Free Speech Rights of Candidate for Union Office (04/14/2005)
SEATTLE -- Seeking to uphold union democracy, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington and Public Citizen today filed a lawsuit backing the free speech rights of a union member running for office. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Joseph Hughes to secure his right to speak with fellow members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

ACLU Urges Washington Supreme Court To Uphold Marriage Equality (03/08/2005)
OLYMPIA, WA -- In a case filed on behalf of 11 couples across the state who wish to marry in Washington or to now have their marriage recognized under Washington law (Castle v. State), the American Civil Liberties Union appeared before the Washington Supreme Court today to urge the court to uphold marriage equality for same-sex couples. Plaintiffs include a police officer, a firefighter, a banker, a nurse, a retired judge, a college professor, a business executive, and others. They reside in communities from Seattle to Spokane and from Port Townsend to Hoquiam.

ACLU of Washington Lawsuit Challenges Voting Restrictions Based on Financial Debts (10/21/2004)
SEATTLE, WA -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today filed a lawsuit seeking to restore the voting rights of ex-felons in Washington who have served their prison terms but are denied the right to vote solely because they owe money to the state.

ACLU of Washington Lawsuit Challenges Voting Restrictions Based on Financial Debts (10/21/2004)
SEATTLE, WA -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today filed a lawsuit seeking to restore the voting rights of ex-felons in Washington who have served their prison terms but are denied the right to vote solely because they owe money to the state.

Judge Rules for Marriage Equality for Same-Sex Couples in Washington (09/07/2004)
OLYMPIA, WA -- In the American Civil Liberties Union's lawsuit for marriage equality, Thurston County Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks ruled today that the state's laws that bar same-sex couples from marriage violate the state constitution's guarantee of equal protection for all citizens. The government cannot give the legal benefits of marriage to one group of adult citizens but not to another.

ACLU of Washington Lawsuit Challenging County's Inadequate Public Defense System Granted Class-Action Status (08/26/2004)
ELLENSBURG, WA-- Kittitas Superior Court Judge Michael Cooper today granted class-action status to a lawsuit seeking to reform Grant County's woefully inadequate public defense system, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington announced today.

ACLU Presses Government for Information on Immigration Sweeps (08/23/2004)
SEATTLE -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today filed a freedom of information request with the federal Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) seeking information about recent immigration sweeps across the state. The ACLU also filed a request with the Washington Department of Corrections and the Pierce County Sheriff's Office for information about the involvement of their officers in the sweeps.

Somali Merchants in Seattle Receive Compensation for Government Abuses Committed During Post-9/11 Raid (07/22/2004)
SEATTLE -- After more than two years of negotiations by the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, two Somali merchants are finally receiving compensation for losses they suffered in a raid by government agents, the ACLU announced today.

Planned Parenthood and ACLU Hail Appeals Court Decision Striking Down Idaho's Extreme Parental Consent Law (07/16/2004)
SEATTLE - Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union today hailed an appeals court decision striking down Idaho's parental consent law because it prevented teens with emergency medical conditions from getting the abortions they need to protect their health.

Washington Appeals Court Allows Non-Biological Mother in Same-Sex Relationship to Seek Parental Rights After Breakup (05/04/2004)
SEATTLE - The American Civil Liberties Union today praised the Washington Court of Appeals for allowing a non-biological mother the right to seek parental rights and visitation with her daughter after the mother's relationship with the biological mother ended.

ACLU of Washington Lawsuit Seeks to Protect Free Speech Rights of Seattle Marchers (04/14/2004)
SEATTLE -- Seeking to protect free speech rights on Seattle streets, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court here challenging the city's Parade and Special Events Ordinances.

ACLU Files Lawsuit Seeking Marriage Equality for Same-Sex Couples in Washington State (04/01/2004)
SEATTLE -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today filed a lawsuit against the state officials challenging the denial of marriage rights to same-sex couples.

ACLU Urges Supreme Court to Uphold Right to Trial By Jury (03/23/2004)
WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments today in a case that raises important questions about the centuries-old right to a trial by jury, the American Civil Liberties Union said.

ACLU of Washington Report on County Indigent Defense Systems Cites Lack of Standards and Accountability Throughout the State (03/01/2004)
SEATTLE -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today issued a report detailing the problems with how counties provide criminal defense services to people in poverty. The report, "The Unfulfilled Promise of Gideon," shows that a majority of Washington counties lack comprehensive standards and adequate oversight systems to ensure that these publicly funded legal services meet basic constitutional standards.

ACLU Welcomes Supreme Court Decision Not to Force States to Fund Inherently Religious Education (02/25/2004)
NEW YORK - The American Civil Liberties Union today welcomed the decision by the Supreme Court to let states decide for themselves whether to grant scholarship money to theology students, which the ACLU said undermines one of the core legal arguments in the President's so-called "faith-based initiative."

Following ACLU Intervention, Refusal to Print Invites to Same-Sex Wedding Ends With Apology and Agreement Not to Discriminate (02/12/2004)
SEATTLE -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today announced an agreement settling a discrimination complaint filed by a gay man against a local business that refused to print invitations to his wedding with his same-sex partner. Under the agreement, the business owner has apologized for her actions and agreed to abide by Seattle's anti-discrimination law in the future.

Appeals Court Hears Arguments in ACLU Challenge to Seattle's WTO "No Protest Zone" (02/06/2004)
SEATTLE -- In arguments today before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington urged the court to rule that Seattle's establishment of a ""No Protest Zone"" during the meeting of the World Trade Organization in 1999 violated basic free speech rights.

Court Approves Settlement of ACLU Lawsuit to Improve Conditions at County Jail in Washington State (01/28/2004)
TACOMA, WA -- Judge Ronald Leighton of U.S. District Court has approved a settlement agreement between the American Civil Liberties Union and Jefferson County officials to improve conditions for inmates at the Jefferson County Jail in Port Hadlock on the Olympic Peninsula, the ACLU announced today.

Washington State Court Orders That All Votes Be Counted in Local Election (12/18/2003)
SEATTLE -- Ruling in a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, King County Superior Court Judge James Doerty today ordered county election officials to count all ballots for a Medina City Council seat on which a candidate's name is clearly written.

ACLU Urges Supreme Court to Reject Taxpayer Funding for Clergy Training (12/02/2003)
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments today in Locke v. Davey, which raises the question of whether the federal constitution compels a state to provide scholarship funds for clergy training, in violation of its own constitution.

ACLU of Washington Files Lawsuit Seeking Revised Vote Count in Medina Election (12/01/2003)
MEDINA, WA-- The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today filed a lawsuit seeking to reinstate write-in ballots for a Medina City Council seat declared invalid by King County election officials.

Following ACLU Lawsuit, Lesbian Illegally Fired from Washington Hospital Receives Generous Settlement (10/08/2003)
PULLMAN, WA - A local hospital and a doctor who worked there have agreed to pay a former employee $75,000 for harassing and illegally firing her solely because she is a lesbian. The American Civil Liberties Union, which successfully litigated the employee's lawsuit last year, said the case has helped establish important precedents protecting lesbian and gay government employees from anti-gay discrimination.

ACLU Urges Washington State Appeals to Recognize Parental Rights of Lesbian Mother (10/03/2003)
SEATTLE -- The American Civil Liberties Union today urged the Washington Court of Appeals to recognize the parental rights of a lesbian mother who has separated from the biological mother of her daughter. The ACLU's Lesbian and Gay Rights Project and the ACLU of Washington jointly submitted a friend-of-the-court brief in the case (In Re Parentage of LB) which is being argued before the court today. The mother is represented by the Northwest Women's Law Center.

In Landmark Ruling, Washington Supreme Court Says Police Need Warrant for Surveillance with Global Tracking Devices (09/11/2003)
OLYMPIA, WA - The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today hailed a unanimous, first-in-the-nation ruling by the Washington Supreme Court that police must obtain a warrant in order to track an individual's movements with Global Positioning Systems (GPS). The ruling agrees with arguments the ACLU submitted in a friend-of-the-court brief in the case.

ACLU of Washington Seeks Information on City of Seattle's Stance on Police Accountability (07/01/2003)
SEATTLE--Seeking to promote an open and more transparent government, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington filed a lawsuit today seeking public documents detailing contract negotiations between city officials and the Seattle Police Guild.

ACLU of WA Tells High Schools They Must Give Equal Rights to Gay-Straight Alliance Student Clubs (05/28/2003)
SEATTLE--Responding to problems of intolerance faced by students in several high schools, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today issued a letter advising school officials statewide that their existing rules for student-organized clubs may discriminate against some student organizations, in violation of federal law.

ACLU of Washington Welcomes City's Apology to Artists for Censoring Their Works (03/03/2003)
PASCO, WA--The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today welcomed an apology by city officials for violating the First Amendment rights of two local artists whose works were excluded from a City Hall exhibit in 1996.

ACLU of WA Supports New Legislation to Restore Voting Rights to Ex-Felons (02/24/2003)
OLYMPIA, WA -- Saying that tens of thousands of people in the state are denied the right to vote solely because of outstanding financial obligations, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today applauded the introduction of legislation that would enable ex-felons to regain the right to vote once they have completed their punishment, even though they may still be paying off monetary debts.

ACLU of WA Challenges Zoning Ordinance that Bars Community Services for Low-Income People (01/15/2003)
PASCO, WA-- The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today filed a lawsuit on behalf of a local nonprofit agency challenging a city zoning ordinance that prohibits community services for low-income residents from operating in the downtown area.

ACLU of WA Offers Free Legal Advice to Booksellers on Protecting Customers' Privacy (12/10/2002)
SEATTLE -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today said it is offering free legal advice to booksellers in the state who receive subpoenas or search warrants seeking disclosure of customer purchase records. The ACLU is making the offer in letters sent to booksellers statewide.

Seattle Police Improve Document Disclosure Policies in Settlement of ACLU Lawsuit (10/29/2002)
SEATTLE--In settlement of a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, the Seattle Police Department has agreed to improve its policies for handling requests for documents by the public.

In First-of-Its Kind Ruling, Washington Appeals Court Says Anti-Gay Job Discrimination Violates U.S. Constitution (07/18/2002)
SPOKANE, WA - A Washington state appeals court today unanimously ruled that firing public employees because they are gay violates the U.S. Constitution, which the American Civil Liberties Union said is the first ruling of its kind from any appeals court in the country. 

Kitsap Student Receives Scholarship for Work against Censorship (04/18/2002)
SEATTLE--Jessica Beckett, a senior at North Kitsap High School in Poulsbo, has been selected to receive a Youth Activist Scholarship Award in recognition of her work for civil liberties. The $4,000 college scholarship is one of nine awarded by the American Civil Liberties Union to high school students around the nation. 

ACLU of Washington Sues to Remedy Inhumane Conditions at County Jail (02/26/2002)
TACOMA, WA--The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today filed a class-action lawsuit asking a federal court to order an immediate remedy to inhumane conditions at a local county jail, including lack of heat in winter, denial of medications as punishment, overflowing toilets and lack of basic hygiene products such as toilet paper.

ACLU of Washington Files Claims on Behalf of Somali Businessmen Seeking Compensation for Government Raids (12/19/2001)
SEATTLE--The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today filed claims with the U.S. Treasury Department on behalf of two Somali businessmen in Seattle who seek fair compensation for more than $300,000 in losses suffered from a raid in early November by agents seeking assets of a completely separate money-transfer business. 

ACLU of Washington Offers Free Attorneys To People Questioned in Federal "Dragnet" Investigation (12/03/2001)
SEATTLE--The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington announced today that it is offering attorneys to accompany any individuals in the state who are questioned by officials as part of a U.S. Department of Justice "dragnet" investigation.

Citing Free Speech Principles, Court Overturns Seattle Ban on Candidates Mentioning Their Opponents (09/19/2001)
SEATTLE, WA -- Noting that freedom of speech is "essential to our democratic ideals," a U.S. District Court Judge today overturned the ban on candidates mentioning their opponents in the City of Seattle's voter pamphlet. 

ACLU Challenges Ban on Candidates Mentioning their Opponents (08/07/2001)
SEATTLE -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court challenging the Seattle Ethics and Election Commission's censorship of candidate statements in the city's voter pamphlet. 

ACLU and NARAL Sue Regence BlueShield Over Biased Prescription Coverage in Washington State (07/12/2001)
SEATTLE--The Washington affiliates of the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Abortion Rights Action League today announced the filing of a class-action lawsuit against the state's largest insurer for failing to provide prescription contraceptive coverage in the health care insurance policies it sells to small employers, including the ACLU and NARAL. 

Washington Court Urged to Support Fairness in Employee Benefits (05/31/2001)
OLYMPIA, WA--The American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund today urged the Washington Supreme Court to support fair and equal treatment for domestic partners of public employees. 

ACLU Sues Seattle Police for Withholding Key WTO Document (05/10/2001)
SEATTLE -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today filed a lawsuit against the Seattle Police Department for failing to disclose a key document relating to police enforcement of the City's "no protest zone" during the World Trade Organization demonstrations in 1999.

City to Repeal "Get a License to Talk" Law, Court Approves Final Settlement of ACLU Lawsuit (05/08/2001)
SEATTLE, WA -- A U.S. District Court judge today permanently barred the enforcement of a City of Medina law that required people to apply for a license from town officials and submit to a criminal background check before exercising their free speech rights. 

Creationism, With New Name, Is Taught in Schools (05/07/2001)
TACOMA, WA -- The debate over the teaching of creationism in public schools is raging across the country, but proponents of creationism have given it a new name -- intelligent design -- the Tacoma News Tribune reported. 

ACLU Wins $10,000 in Damages For High School Student In Web Parody Case (02/20/2001)
SEATTLE--A former high school student who was suspended for creating a parody on the Internet is getting damages from the school district that wrongfully punished him, the American Civil Liberties Union announced today.

Appeals Court Rules Says WA City Officials Violated Artists Rights in Censoring Exhibit (02/15/2001)
PASCO, WA--A federal appeals court decided in favor of the American Civil Liberties Union today, when it ruled that the city officials here violated the rights of two artists when it censored their works. The artists Janette Hopper and Sharon Rupp were challenging the exclusion of their works from a 1996 art exhibit at the City Hall.

ACLU of WA Urges Court to Support Rights of Longtime Gay Partner in Division of Joint Property (02/13/2001)
OLYMPIA, WA--In a case highlighting the importance of equal treatment under the law, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington has filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging the State Supreme Court to uphold a gay man's rights to an equitable share of the property jointly acquired by him and his longtime partner.

WA Bill Would Bar Police Seizure of Property Without a Conviction (02/08/2001)
OLYMPIA, WA--The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded a bill introduced in the Washington Senate that would bar government forfeiture and sale of a person's property unless that person has been convicted of a crime.

ACLU Sees Lessons in Seattle WTO Protests: "The City Needs to Get it Right" (11/21/2000)
SEATTLE--As we approach the one-year anniversary of the World Trade Organization (WTO) protests and a new series of rallies, the City of Seattle needs to show that it has learned the right lessons from last year's demonstrations. 

WA Court Bars Enforcement of Medina's "Get a License to Talk" Law (11/03/2000)
SEATTLE--A federal court today barred enforcement of a Medina law requiring people to apply for a license from town officials and submit to a police background check in order to exercise their free speech rights.

ACLU Challenges "Get a License to Talk" Law (10/23/2000)
SEATTLE - The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today filed a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order to bar enforcement of an ordinance that requires people to apply for a license from town officials and submit to a police background check in order to exercise their free speech rights.

Three Seattle Residents Accept Judgments in ACLU Lawsuit over WTO "No Protest Zone" (08/11/2000)
SEATTLE, WA -- Three local residents have accepted offers of judgment in the American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit challenging the Seattle's establishment of a "no protest zone" during the meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on December 1-3, 1999.

ACLU Report Finds Washington State's Death Penalty System Fundamentally Unfair (08/04/2000)
SEATTLE -- Calling for the state to halt executions, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today released a report revealing that Washington's death penalty system is fundamentally flawed and unfair.

Washington Court Upholds Student Free Speech Rights on Internet (07/18/2000)
OLYMPIA, WA -- In the latest victory for student rights in cyberspace, a county judge here today ruled that public school officials cannot punish a student for free speech outside of school. 

ACLU Report Says Response To Seattle WTO Protests was 'Flawed, Out of Control' (07/05/2000)
SEATTLE -- Drawing on more than 500 eyewitness accounts, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington State today released a comprehensive examination of civil liberties violations that occurred here last fall during the World Trade Organization conference.

Spokane Police Address Racial Profiling Concerns with Review of Stops (06/22/2000)
SPOKANE, WA - According to the Associated Press today, Spokane police say they will try to determine whether there is a pattern of racial profiling in local traffic stops.

WA Student Enters Court Today in Challenge to School Punishment For Parody Created on Home Computer (05/12/2000)
OLYMPIA, WA--A student at Timberline High School in nearby Lacey is going to court today to challenge his suspension last year for posting an Internet parody lampooning the school's assistant principal.

Civil Rights Groups Launch Statewide Campaign To Combat Racial Profiling (04/19/2000)
SEATTLE, WA -- At a news conference today at the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, the ACLU and several civil rights groups announced the launch of a statewide campaign to combat racial profiling by police.

Federal Appeals Court Says INS Must Free Indefinitely Detained Immigrants (04/10/2000)
SEATTLE -- Immigration officials cannot continue to jail immigrants indefinitely after their prison sentences expire, a unanimous panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today.

Settlement Ends Attempt To Punish Student for Web Site in Washington State (04/07/2000)
KENT, WA -- A settlement between student Nick Emmett and Kent School District has ended the district's attempt to punish the student because of a Web site created on his home computer. Under terms of the settlement negotiated by the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington State, the suburban Seattle district will not pursue disciplinary action against Emmett over the Web site and will pay his attorney fees.

Settlement Provides Due Process for Cable Access Producers (04/06/2000)
SEATTLE -- A major cable television company and a producer have reached a settlement to a federal lawsuit over the cancellation of a program on Seattle's cable access television channel. The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington State represented the film producer, Michael Aivaz, in challenging the cancellation.

Washington State Enacts Bill to Combat Racial Profiling (03/24/2000)
OLYMPIA, WA -- Washington State Governor Gary Locke today signed into law a compromise version of a bill initially drafted by the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington State to attack the problem of racial profiling by police.

In Second Lawsuit, ACLU Challenges Seattle's WTO 'No Protest' Zone on Behalf of Seven Local People (03/07/2000)
Victor Menotti, San Francisco -- He came to Seattle to attend the WTO conference as a credentialed representative of a Non-Governmental Organization, the International Forum on Globalization. On December 1 he was speaking at 5th & Pike to a journalist and interested citizens about his concerns over WTO policies on wood products. With no audible warning, police officers charged across 5th Ave. toward the small crowd. Ignoring everyone else, police pursued Menotti and arrested him; no formal criminal charges were ever filed.

Court Blocks WA School from Suspending Student Over Humorous Web Site (02/23/2000)
SEATTLE, WA -- In the latest case involving student free speech in cyberspace, a federal judge in Seattle today blocked school administrators from suspending a student because of a web site he had created on his home computer. The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington represented the student in contesting the suspension.

Federal Appeals Court to Consider Whether Government Can Detain Undeportable Immigrants for Life (02/14/2000)
SEATTLE -- In a case being closely watched around the nation, a federal appeals court will today consider whether the government can indefinitely detain thousands of immigrants -- many for as long as the rest of their lives.

WA School Board Decides Not to Punish Student Web Site Hosts (02/03/2000)
SEATTLE, WA -- A suburban school board has decided not to impose restitution or community service on three Eastlake High School students who created a website on which someone else posted a death threat last fall, the American Civil Liberties said today.

ACLU of Washington Bills Aim To Curb "Driving While Black or Brown" (01/24/2000)
OLYMPIA, WA--The American Civil Liberties of Washington said today that it is drafting House and Senate bills requiring police agencies to gather statistics on the use of racial profiling on the state's streets and highways.

ACLU of Washington Legislation Would Protect Medical Record Privacy (01/24/2000)
OLYMPIA, WA -- Responding to citizen demands for action to safeguard sensitive personal information, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington has drafted House and Senate bills to protect the privacy of people's medical information. 

ACLU of Washington State Challenges Suspicionless Urine Testing for Students (12/17/1999)
SEATTLE -- In the first legal action of its kind in Washington State, two sets of parents of high school students today filed a lawsuit challenging a school district's recently adopted policy of suspicionless urine testing for students who participate in extracurricular athletic activities.

ACLU Calls for Action in Response to Civil Liberties Violations During WTO Protests (12/06/1999)
SEATTLE -- At a news conference today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington called for a range of actions in response to civil liberties violations by police and city officials during the meeting of the World Trade Organization here last week.

ACLU of Washington WTO Flyer (12/06/1999)
SEATTLE - The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington is closely monitoring police treatment of WTO protesters and residents of Seattle. We are looking for information about incidents of police action against citizens that have occurred during the WTO conference.

Washington's State Patrol to Note Race, Gender in Traffic Stops (09/24/1999)
OLYMPIA, WA -- In an effort to guard against racial profiling, Washington State Patrol troopers will soon record the race and gender of everyone they stop, Chief Annette Sandberg said yesterday.

ACLU Says Judicial-Complaint Rule Violates Free Speech (07/27/1999)
SEATTLE--The Washington affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union is protesting as unconstitutional a Commission on Judicial Conduct rule that prohibits someone who has filed a complaint against a judge from talking about it, the Seattle Times reported today.

Unfair Suspensions Removed From Records of Washington State Students (07/22/1999)

Indefinite Detention by INS Overturned (07/12/1999)
SEATTLE -- Five judges from the U.S. District Court in Seattle have ruled that the government cannot indefinitely detain aliens with criminal records who are awaiting deportation to countries that refuse to accept them, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington said today.

ACLU and Supporters Issue Guide on Medical Marijuana (06/24/1999)
SEATTLE -- The American Civil Liberties Union and two other groups that support an initiative to legalize marijuana for medical use in Washington issued a guide yesterday to explain the law to patients, physicians and others, the Associated Press reported today.

Seattle Police Apologize for Secret Surveillance (06/15/1999)
SEATTLE, WA -- Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper yesterday apologized for his department's surreptitious taping of last week's news conference sponsored by several community groups announcing public hearings into allegations of police abuses.