"This form is different from the 'Williams Complaint Form' which is used for complaints regarding school facilities." Not many students that are harassed or discriminated against in schools are aware of their resources and many don't have the chance to read the statement above in the complaint section of the California Department of Education's website.

When students are bullied and harassed, they often don't tell anyone about it and when they do report, they are bombarded by bureaucracy and logistics. The Uniform Complaint Form created and supplied by the by the CA Department of Education is available for all students to use, but not many students are aware that is it is out there.

Similar to the Williams Complaint Form that was instituted after Williams v. State of California, the Uniform Complaint Form is a part of the Uniform Complaint Procedures for the CA Dept. of Ed. However, do not be mistaken, these forms are not interchangeable. The Williams Complaint Form is specifically for issues that students have when it comes to their school facilities. The Uniform Complaint Form supplied by the CA. Dept. of Ed. is specific to reporting bullying and harassment in schools, specifically students that fall into the protected categories, whether actual or perceived, of the nondiscrimination policies of the California Education Code.

Some students have reported being given the wrong information by their administration, either knowingly or unknowingly.  The common thread through both scenarios is the responsibility of protecting our students from unlawful bullying and harassment while empowering them to fill out the appropriate complaint forms to prevent the cycle from continuing.

With an eye towards ending punitive drug policies that have made the United States the world’s largest incarcerator and cost taxpayers billions of dollars a year, Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) on Friday introduced legislation to reduce the penalty for Californians who possess small amounts of drugs for their own personal use. The bill, SB 1506, co-sponsored by the ACLU of California, Drug Policy Alliance, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and the California NAACP, changes the penalty for the simple possession of drugs under state law from a felony, which is punishable by up to three years behind bars, to a misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to one year behind bars. The reform would help alleviate overcrowding in state prisons and county jails and save the state millions of dollars annually.

“Over the years we have learned that long prison sentences do little to deter or limit personal drug use,” said Senator Leno, D-San Francisco. “In fact, time behind bars and felony records often have horrible consequences for people trying to overcome addiction because they are unlikely to receive drug treatment in prison and have few job prospects and educational opportunities when they leave. This legislation will help implement public safety realignment and protect our communities by reserving prison and jail space for more serious offenders.”

SB 1506 will significantly and safely reduce prison and jail populations, making room for people convicted of more serious offenses. The Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates reducing penalties for drug possession will save counties about $159 million annually, in addition to yearly savings for the state totaling $64.4 million.

“The war on drugs has been an abysmal failure we can no longer afford,” said Allen Hopper, Criminal Justice and Drug Policy Director at the ACLU of California. “California voters agree the punishment should fit the crime, and a felony for simple possession is ridiculous. Those who are addicted to drugs need treatment, not a jail cell and a felony conviction with severe and life-long consequences, like reduced access to job opportunities, student loans, and small business loans.”

A statewide poll conducted by Lake Research Partners last year showed that most Californians – across party lines and geography – do not approve of lengthy prison sentences for minor drug possession. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of California voters strongly support the penalty reform proposed in SB 1506, including 79% of Democrats, 72% of Independents, and 66% of Republicans.

“This front-end sentencing reform is a critical step toward fixing our broken criminal justice system and making realignment work better in our communities,” said Clarissa Woo Hermosillo, Director of Policy Advocacy with the ACLU of Southern California. “By changing this offense from a felony to misdemeanor, we will be taking a huge burden off of county jails, promoting access to effective drug treatment, and saving millions of dollars annually for our schools, health and human services, and local law enforcement.”

Across the country, 13 states and the District of Columbia already make drug possession a misdemeanor. Many of these states, including New York and Delaware, in turn have the nation’s highest admission rates for drug treatment programs.

The ACLU of Southern California is proud to announce that its Deputy Executive Director James Gilliam is the recipient of the Lesbian and Gay Lawyers Association of Los Angeles’ 2012 Co-Presidents Award.
The award recognizes Gilliam’s tireless efforts and work to stop bullying, particularly against LGBTQ students. In September 2010, he launched and serves as the director of the Seth Walsh Student Rights Project, following the suicide of 13-year-old Seth Walsh of Tehachapi. Gilliam worked with Seth Walsh’s mother to advocate against his school district after Seth hanged himself to escape years of painful bullying and harassment he experienced at school for being gay.
According to LGLA, Gilliam was selected for the award because he “identified an unmet need in the community and decided that need had to be met with information that empowers individuals.” The project’s mission is to stop unlawful bullying in California schools and to create school communities that promote safety and respect for all students. Gilliam has also been an assiduous advocate of anti-bullying legislation and tolerance education in the Southern California community, leading to the passage this year of Seth’s Law. He will also be recognized for his many years of dedicated service to the LGBTQ community as an attorney and longtime civil rights activist.

James Gilliam, pictured with Judy Shepard (left) and Jane Velez-Mitchell.

“I remember those painful years of growing up being bullied and harassed in my home state of Tennessee just because I was gay,” said Gilliam. “No child should have to suffer humiliation or die by his own hand simply because of who he is. I’m proud to direct a project that works to protect LGBTQ students and to serve as an example that they can lead fulfilling, proud lives and not live in fear.”
Gilliam has been the deputy executive director of the ACLU/SC since 2010. Before joining the civil liberties organization, he was a litigation associate and pro bono coordinator at Paul Hastings. He served as co-chair of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Sexual Orientation Bias committee for several years and has served on the board of directors for the National LGBT Bar Association. He teaches seminars on sexual orientation law and public interest law practice at Loyola Law School.
“We feel privileged to work with someone as courageous as James, who has dedicated himself to stop bullying and help save the lives of LGBTQ students,” said Hector Villagra, executive director of the ACLU/SC. “James has become a national spokesperson on the issue of bullying, and we are extremely proud that people around the country are looking to the Seth Walsh Student Rights Project and James as a resource for addressing bullying and the fatal consequences it can have.”
In 2010, the National LGBT Bar Association named Gilliam one of the Best LGBT Attorneys Under 40, and in 2011 KCET honored him in its inaugural class of LGBT “Local Heroes.”