News & Commentary

Civil Rights Groups, Minority Law Enforcement Join in Supporting AB 1264 - California "Driving While Black or Brown" Law

A crucial piece of legislation C AB 1264 C aimed at documenting the apparently widespread practice of racially motivated vehicle stops by California police officers is currently scheduled to be heard by the state Senate Appropriations Committee on August 3.

July 27, 1998

ACLU of Southern California Urges Schools and Libraries to Reject Internet Filtering Software

Today, the City Council voted to support Assembly Bill 1793, a bill that would require state-funded libraries that provide Internet access to adopt a policy regarding access by minors by January 1, 2000.

July 24, 1998

ACLU of Southern California Condemns Use of Stun Belts As Punishment in Los Angeles County Courtrooms

The ACLU of Southern California requests that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors call for an immediate and permanent ban on the use of stun belts by county judges or other court personnel as a means of punishing or otherwise restraining non-violent defendants.

July 21, 1998

Ramona Ripston, Executive Director, ACLU of Southern California Appointed to the State Commission on Judicial Performance

Assembly Speaker Antonio R. Villaraigosa has appointed Ramona Ripston, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, to the state Commission on Judicial Performance.

July 20, 1998

ACLU of Southern California Sends Demand Letters to Los Angeles Municipal and Superior Court Presiding Judges Calling For Courts to Cease Use of Stun Belt to Punish Non-Threatening Defendants

The ACLU of Southern California has sent letters to the Presiding Judges of both the Municipal and Superior Courts of Los Angeles County calling on the courts to ensure that judges or other court personnel will terminate use of stun belts to punish or subdue non-threatening defendants.

July 17, 1998

ACLU of Southern California Condemns Use of Stun Belt to Silence Defendant

On June 30 Long Beach Municipal Court Judge Joan Comparet-Cassini ordered a bailiff to send 50,000 volts of electricity through a bound defendant because he was talking too much.

July 15, 1998