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Toledo Sign Law Restricts Free Speech, Says ACLU of Ohio (12/12/2006)
TOLEDO, OH - The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio sent a letter today urging Toledo city officials to abandon attempts to cite resident Jeffrey Nelson for displaying four anti-war signs in his front yard. Nelson received a notice from the city's Division of Building Inspection on December 2, 2006 stating that he must remove his signs within 24 hours or risk incurring a fine.

ACLU of New Jersey Applauds Ruling in Favor of Student's Right to Sing "Awesome God" (12/12/2006)
NEWARK, NJ - The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey today praised a decision by U.S. District Court Judge Freda L. Wolfson protecting the religious expression rights of students. The court held that a Frenchtown Elementary School student had the right to sing the song "Awesome God" at a school talent show. The ACLU of New Jersey submitted a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the student.

Under Pressure from ACLU, Rhode Island Politician Drops Defamation Lawsuit Against Activist (12/05/2006)
PROVIDENCE, RI - The American Civil Liberties Union announced today that South Kingstown political candidate Andrew Bilodeau has dismissed his defamation lawsuit against Jonathan Daly-LaBelle, a local activist who publicly criticized Bilodeau during the election campaign. The ACLU of Rhode Island filed a counter-lawsuit against Bilodeau last week charging that the defamation suit was brought to suppress Daly-LaBelle's free speech rights.

ACLU of New Mexico Defends Homeowners After Neighborhood Association Attempts to Censor “Impeach Bush” Sign (12/05/2006)
RIO RANCHO, NM - The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico announced today that it would take legal action against a Rio Rancho homeowners’ association if it made good on a threat to fine a local couple for projecting a sign that said “Impeach Bush” on the side of their home

ACLU Files Free Speech Lawsuit Against Rhode Island College for Censoring Reproductive Rights Signs (12/04/2006)
PROVIDENCE, RI - The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island today filed a federal lawsuit against Rhode Island College (RIC) for censoring signs posted by students in support of reproductive freedom. The lawsuit charges that the college's restrictive sign policy, which was adopted after the student signs were removed, violates the First Amendment.

Maine Civil Liberties Union Challenges State Censorship of Artistic Beer Labels (11/30/2006)
PORTLAND, ME - The Maine Civil Liberties Union today filed legal papers challenging the state's refusal to issue permits to a beer distributor because their labels were deemed "undignified or improper." One beer features Santa Claus on its label, while another features a well-known French painting that hangs in the Louvre.

Writers, Filmmakers, Performers and Free Speech Groups Urge Court to Reject FCC Censorship (11/30/2006)
NEW YORK-New standards adopted by the Federal Communications Commission to censor “indecency” on the airwaves are overly vague and unconstitutional, a coalition of 20 free speech organizations, community broadcasters, filmmakers, performers and writers argued in a legal brief filed today.

ACLU Plans Appeal on Behalf of New Jersey Peace Vigil Organizer (11/27/2006)
FLEMINGTON, N.J. - The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey announced that it will appeal the decision of Flemington Municipal Court Judge John Petronko Jr., who earlier today found peace advocate Robert Flisser guilty for organizing a “Fallen Solder Vigil” without a permit on August 17, 2005. The ACLU and Flisser contend that Flemington’s permit requirements violate freedom of speech and are applied discriminatorily.

ACLU Defends Political Activist in Defamation Lawsuit Filed by Rhode Island Politician (11/27/2006)
PROVIDENCE, RI - Citing important free speech concerns, the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island today filed a response and counter-claim on behalf of Jonathan Daly-LaBelle, a South Kingstown resident who was sued for defamation by a political candidate a day before this month’s elections. The candidate, Andrew Bilodeau, alleged that Daly-LaBelle defamed him and violated state campaign finance laws by distributing a flier that was critical of Bilodeau’s campaign.

California Supreme Court Ruling Strengthens Protections for Online Free Speech, ACLU Says (11/20/2006)
SAN FRANCISCO -- In a victory for free speech on the Internet, the California Supreme Court ruled today that no provider or user of an interactive computer service may be held liable for putting material on the Internet that was written by someone else. In doing so, the Court overruled an earlier decision by the Court of Appeal.

Landmark Online Free Speech Trial Wraps Up on Monday, November 20 (11/17/2006)
PHILADELPHIA - On Monday, November 20, following a four-week trial, the American Civil Liberties Union will present concluding arguments in federal district court in its longstanding challenge to an Internet censorship law. The censorship law was signed by President Clinton in 1998 and has never been enforced.