News & Commentary

LOS ANGELES - In arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California is urging the Justices to invalidate a California man's life sentence under the state's harsh 'three strikes' law for stealing $153 worth of children's videotapes, including Snow White and Free Willy.

LOS ANGELES - The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California today called on Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo to respect the First Amendment rights of Valley secession supporters to distribute information on Proposition F, the upcoming ballot measure that would grant the Valley autonomy. Secession supporters were prevented from handing out literature at a Los Angeles Neighborhood Council meeting at the Los Angeles Convention Center, while opponents of Proposition F were allowed to sit at a table outside the Council meeting and hand out 'No on Proposition F' materials.

LOS ANGELES - A federal district judge has denied a motion to dismiss a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging that United Airlines discriminated against a passenger. The suit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California on behalf of Assem Bayaa, an American citizen of Middle Eastern descent, after Mr. Bayaa was ejected from a United Airlines flight last December after a crew member reported feeling "uncomfortable" with him on board.

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.

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