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ACLU Sues Law Enforcement for Shielding President Bush From Protestors
The ACLU and the ACLU of New Mexico filed a lawsuit on January 15, 2008, on behalf of several New Mexico residents and advocacy organizations who were made to stand more than 150 yards away from the site of a fundraiser being attended by the president as they peacefully protested the views of the administration, while a group of people expressing support for President Bush were allowed to stand only a few feet from the fundraiser site. Learn more>>

Defense Department Shuts Down Pentagon Database on Peaceful Groups
The ACLU applauded the decision of the U.S. Department of Defense to shut down its Threat and Local Observation Notices (TALON) anti-terrorism database. The DoD program, which began in 2003 to house intelligence reports about possible threats to military bases in the U.S., strayed from its intended mission and expanded the database to include reports by local law enforcement agencies and military security personnel about nonviolent demonstrations and anti-war rallies. Learn more >>
> Read the Report: No Real Threat: The Pentagon's Secret Database on Peaceful Protest
> Learn more about the ACLU's efforts to fight government spying

ACLU client Jeff Rank talks about his right to protest case, Rank v. Jenkins

"Congress shall make no law respecting…the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

ACLU of Arizona Legal Director Found "Not Guilty" on Trespass Charge (09/09/2008)
PHOENIX – Maricopa County Justice of the Peace pro tempore David H. Fletcher today ruled that ACLU Foundation of Arizona Legal Director Dan Pochoda did not engage in any unlawful behavior prior to his November 3rd arrest by Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies outside the Pruitt furniture store in Phoenix.

ACLU Sues St. Paul and Minneapolis For Release Of Educational Materials Seized During Raids (09/04/2008)
ST. PAUL - The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota filed a lawsuit in federal court late last night calling for the release of literature and educational materials that were illegally seized by police during mass raids on private homes and a gather place earlier this week. The raids were part of what appears to be a massive government crackdown on free speech during the Republican National Convention.

At RNC, Arraignments Begin And Arrests Continue (09/04/2008)
ST. PAUL - Hundreds of people arrested during a crackdown on free speech in the first days of the Republican National Convention (RNC) were arraigned yesterday. The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota assembled teams of attorneys to offer legal services at the proceedings.

ACLU Renews Its Call For Investigation Into Civil Liberties Violations At RNC (09/04/2008)
ST. PAUL - In response to reports of widespread civil liberties abuses in connection with mass arrests, police raids on private homes and the detention of several journalists during the Republican National Convention (RNC), the American Civil Liberties Union renewed its call for an investigation into the actions of law enforcement there.

ACLU To Represent Reporter And Others Arrested At RNC (09/03/2008)
ST. PAUL -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota has coordinated legal counsel for Amy Goodman, host of the popular television and radio program DemocracyNow!, and two of that show’s producers who were detained during mass arrests surrounding the Republican National Convention (RNC). Goodman was released on misdemeanor charges three hours after her arrest, while the producers, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar, were held longer and charged with felony intent to riot. Those charges were suspended pending investigation. The ACLU of MN is calling for all charges against Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar to be dropped.

NYCLU Report: Arresting Protest (04/28/2003)

New Mexico Protest - Complaint (01/15/2008)

Rank v. Jenkins - Joint Stipulation of Dismissal with Predjudice (08/15/2007)

Rank v. Jenkins - Complaint (06/28/2007)

Weise v. Jenkins - Complaint (03/15/2007)

We are One America Committee v. City of Asheville, NC Complaint (10/03/2006)
We are One America Committee v. City of Asheville, NC Complaint

ACLU Letter to Congress Urging Members to Vote "No" On the Semper Fi Act (02/26/2008)

ACLU Letter to Congress Urging Opposition to the Animal Enterprise Act, S. 1926 and H.R. 4239 (03/06/2006)

Interested Persons Memo: Section-by-Section Analysis of Justice Department draft "Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003," also known as "PATRIOT Act II" (02/14/2003)

How the USA PATRIOT Act redefines "Domestic Terrorism" (12/06/2002)

Attorney General John Ashcroft's Assault on Civil Liberties (Updated September 2003) (10/30/2002)

Office of Presidential Advance - Presidential Advance Manual (06/28/2007)

ACLU-NJ SECURES RIGHT TO DISPLAY POLITICAL LAWN SIGNS (01/03/2005)

April 5th, 2004, DOJ OLC Opinion Condoning Controversial FBI Surveillance Tactics (08/16/2004)
The Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel issued this previously undisclosed memorandum in support of the FBI's controversial surveillance of peaceful protesters. The memo was issued in response to an internal complaint by a government employee.

USAction Joins Nationwide Lawsuit to Challenge Use of "Protest Zones"; Charges Administration Used Barriers to Silence Anti-Bush Sentiments (09/23/2003)
USAction, a progressive activist organization dedicated to winning social and economic justice for all, represents over three million members in 33 affiliates, with statewide organizations in 23 states. We advocate for affordable healthcare and public education, promoting corporate responsibility and making the country's tax system fairer. We achieve these goals through voter mobilization, public education, legislative lobbying and direct actions, including protests. We firmly believe in exercising our First Amendment rights.

Free Speech Under Fire: The ACLU Challenge to "Protest Zones" (09/23/2003)
List of Plaintiffs

Free Speech Under Fire: The ACLU Challenge to "Protest Zones" (09/23/2003)
Fact Sheet