Home : Free Speech : Right to Protest

Two Middle Eastern Men Who Protested Biased Treatment at Michigan Store Have a Right to Speak Out, ACLU Tells Court (06/04/2003)
DETROIT - The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan today filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of two Middle Eastern men who are fighting an attempt to block their distribution of fliers expressing concern about biased treatment they received at a Meijer's gas station in the city of Fraser.

ACLU Urges CA Attorney General to Stop State Monitoring of War Protestors and Other Political Dissenters (05/20/2003)
SAN FRANCISCO - The American Civil Liberties Union today called on Attorney General Bill Lockyer to direct a state anti-terrorism intelligence agency to stop compiling dossiers on political activists and organizations, including anti-war, animal rights, and environmental groups.

NYCLU Says NYPD's Handling of Protestors Needs Improvement in Time for Republican Convention (04/28/2003)
NEW YORK--Saying that law enforcement crowd control tactics should be improved in time for next year's Republican Convention here, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) today called on city officials to implement quick reforms. The NYCLU's suggested changes were highlighted in a 40-page report, released today on the steps of City Hall.

ACLU of Louisiana Lawsuit Causes Repeal of Laws that Threatened Local Free Speech (04/21/2003)
NEW IBERIA, LA -- Reacting to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, city officials here have repealed a series of laws that violated the free speech rights of individuals seeking to protest on public property.

ACLU of Maryland Defends Right of Anti-War Group to Hold Weekly Vigils in Baltimore Harbor Area (04/10/2003)
BALTIMORE--Saying that laws here that govern public demonstrations may violate free speech rights, the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland today filed a lawsuit in federal district court on behalf of members of an anti-war group who assemble in the popular Inner Harbor area for weekly, silent vigils.

In Response to NYCLU Demand, Police Stop Interrogating Protesters About Political Activity (04/10/2003)
NEW YORK -- In response to a demand made by the New York Civil Liberties Union earlier this week, police officials have agreed to halt a recently implemented secret program of interrogating protesters about their political affiliations and prior demonstration activities, the NYCLU announced today.

ACLU of Northern California Seeks Answers to Police Attack on Non-Violent Protesters (04/09/2003)
OAKLAND, CA-The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California and representatives from civil rights groups today sent a letter to the chief of police here expressing "extreme concern" over yesterday's attack by law enforcement officers on non-violent anti-war protesters at the Port of Oakland.

ACLU of Northern California and Civil Rights Groups Say Proposed Resolution to Punish Peace Protesters is Illegal (04/01/2003)
SAN FRANCISCO--Saying that a proposed resolution by the City Board of Supervisors would "chill participation in expressive activity at a time when it is most needed," the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California and other groups today sent a letter condemning the resolution that seeks to recover protest-related expenses from local anti-war organizers.

ACLU Files Class-Action Lawsuit Challenging Unconstitutional Mass Arrest of Antiwar Demonstrators in Washington (03/27/2003)
WASHINGTON- In a lawsuit filed in federal court today, the American Civil Liberties Union of the National Capital Area charged police officials with deliberately violating the constitutional rights of more than 400 peaceful antiwar demonstrators and bystanders by directing them into a police trap and then arresting them although they had not violated the law.

Controversy Over Women at Augusta Golf Course Leads to ACLU Federal Lawsuit on Protest Rights (03/12/2003)
ATLANTA -- With the backdrop of the ongoing controversy over admitting women into Augusta National Golf Course, the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia today filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of the two civil rights organizations who are seeking to protest outside the golf course during the upcoming Masters Golf Tournament.

University of Maryland Students Seek to Overturn Free Speech Ban at College Park Campus (03/06/2003)
GREENBELT, MD-The American Civil Liberties Union and a private Washington law firm today filed a lawsuit on behalf of students at the University of Maryland at College Park who are challenging a university policy that places unreasonable restrictions on outdoor public speaking and leafleting on the university's 1,500-acre campus.

Florida Court Prohibits State from Blocking Protest Involving 'Living Nude Peace Symbol' (02/13/2003)
WEST PALM BEACH, FL -- In a court order issued late today, a U.S. District Court Judge here prohibited Florida officials from blocking an anti-war demonstration in a state park tomorrow that involves the creation of a peace symbol comprised of nude bodies.

ACLU of MI Sues Dearborn Over 30-Day "Waiting Period" for Protests (01/21/2003)
DETROIT - The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan today filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Dearborn challenging the constitutionality of a city ordinance that makes it a crime to protest unless a permit is obtained at least 30 days before the event.

ACLU of Indiana Defends Man Arrested for Protesting Vice President's Appearance at Fundraiser (01/10/2003)
INDIANAPOLIS -The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana today filed a lawsuit on behalf of a local man whose free speech rights were violated when police arrested him for protesting Vice President Richard Cheney's appearance at an area fundraiser.

Federal Court to Hear Arguments in ACLU Challenge to Miami's High Security Fees for Controversial Concert (12/12/2002)
MIAMI -- A federal judge is scheduled to hear arguments Monday in an American Civil Liberties Union of Florida case challenging the constitutionality of security fees imposed by Miami officials on a promoter for the 1999 concert by the Cuban band Los Van Van that attracted thousands of anti-Castro protestors.

Federal Judge Approves Settlement Protecting Chicago's "Public Square" (11/26/2002)
CHICAGO - Chicago's downtown federal plaza, home to demonstrations, prayer vigils and the distribution of leaflets on important matters of public policy for years, is more accessible to a more diverse range of voices under an agreement approved by a U.S. district court judge today.

ACLU of Georgia Challenges Mass Searches at School of Americas Protest (11/13/2002)
COLUMBUS, GA-The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia today filed a lawsuit challenging last minute plans by law enforcement officials here to search more than 10,000 marchers at the upcoming School of Americas (SOA) demonstration on Sunday, November 17.

ACLU Sues Tampa for Violating Protestors' Free Speech Rights at Bush Rally (11/01/2002)
TAMPA, FL - The Tampa Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida today filed a federal lawsuit against Tampa officials for civil rights violations stemming from the wrongful arrest of two grandmothers and a gay activist during a rally organized last year for President George W. Bush and Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

ACLU of Ohio Helps Parents Who Were Banned From Petitioning On or Near School Property (10/04/2002)
CLEVELAND--The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today asked a trial court judge to modify an overly broad restriction on a teachers union picketing on or near school grounds which has swept up parents seeking to circulate a petition on an unrelated matter.

ACLU Files Civil Rights Suit Filed Against City of Shreveport for Violation of PETA Protesters' Free Speech Rights (05/29/2002)
SHREVEPORT, LA -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, going to bat again for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, filed a federal lawsuit today against the City of Shreveport and six of its police officers for civil rights violations stemming from the wrongful arrest of three activists during a demonstration against circus animal abuse last year. The lawsuit seeks damages and other sanctions against the city on behalf of the three individuals who were falsely arrested, imprisoned and maliciously prosecuted.