News & Commentary

LOS ANGELES - Today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, together with other public interest groups and the law firm of Morrison & Foerster, who represent a class of over two million California school children, submitted expert testimony on the conditions many of California's public school students encounter on a daily basis.

We extend our congratulations to Mayor Hahn and Commissioner William Bratton. Everyone who has worked tirelessly over the years on the issue of police reform knows that the department must change and we hold high hopes that William Bratton is the person to make that change a reality. From excessive force to breaking the code of silence, the new Chief will have his work cut out for him. We look forward to rolling up our sleeves and extending a helping hand in reforming the department and giving the City of Los Angeles the police force it deserves.

LOS ANGELES -- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled in favor of a man who filed a sex discrimination claim against his former employer, MGM Grand Hotel, Inc. for sexual harassment he endured while working as a hotel butler in Las Vegas, Nevada. The decision overturns a lower court ruling in favor of MGM Grand and reinstates the plaintiff's case.

LOS ANGELES - Today, Californian's right to make private childbearing decisions free of government interference became law as Governor Gray Davis signed a historic bill that is widely supported by a broad coalition of women's groups, heath-care providers and civil rights organizations. The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California's Latina Rights Project was a main supporter of the bill and worked to mobilize community support and awareness by holding a bilingual community forum on access to reproductive health care.

LOS ANGELES - The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, together with the law firm of Ross, Dixon & Bell, today filed a federal civil rights lawsuit challenging the blatantly discriminatory treatment of two Afghan-American, Southern California college students at the hands of AMC Theaters located at 'The Block' in Orange County.

Toda

LOS ANGELES - After encountering strong opposition from free speech and dance music groups, AB 1941, the so-called "Anti-Rave" legislation has died in committee. The bill, originally introduced and passed by the state Assembly, was heard by the state Senate Public Safety Committee and did not produce the required number of votes to make it out of committee.

LOS ANGELES - A U.S. District Court has granted the ACLU of Southern California's motion for summary judgement and held that the presence of the Mojave Desert Cross, a religious symbol, on federal land violated the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

LOS ANGELES -- In an open letter, the California affiliates of the ACLU are urging State Attorney General Bill Lockyer to take "immediate steps to ensure that intelligence-gathering practices carried out in this state - whether by state, local or federal law enforcement officers - fully respect Californians' state constitutional right to privacy."