News & Commentary

LOS ANGELES - Five sweeping civil rights lawsuits filed across the country today accuse American, Continental, Northwest and United Airlines of blatant discrimination against five men who were ejected from flights based on the prejudices of airline employees and passengers and for reasons wholly unrelated to security.

Grants Pass, OR -- On April 22, 2002, the parties in Bellum v. Grants Pass, successfully mediated a resolution of the Spring/Summer 2002 field scheduling at the Grants Pass Riverside West All Sports Park. The mediation, which took place in Eugene, Oregon, was conducted with the assistance of United States Magistrate Judge Thomas M. Coffin. As well as resolving the plaintiffs' pending motions for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction affecting the park's spring and summer field scheduling, the parties agreed to promptly explore further mediation of the remaining issues in the case. At the conclusion of the mediation, Judge Coffin complimented the parties for their efforts in achieving this resolution for the 2002 season. Any further questions on this may be directed to the parties' respective legal counsel.

LOS ANGELES - The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today held that nothing bars victims of LAPD misconduct and community action groups from participating in the historic consent decree negotiated between the city and the U.S. Department of Justice. In reversing the denial of permissive intervention status in the litigation United States v. City of Los Angeles by the district court, the unanimous ruling by the federal appellate court rejected arguments by the United States and City of Los Angeles that community groups and individuals should be denied party status in the case as to "streamline" the litigation. The court noted that excluding community members "should not be accomplished at the risk of marginalizing those...who have some of the strongest interests in the outcome" of the reform process.

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LOS ANGELES - The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California today reiterated its call for an open meeting of the Police Commission regarding the request for reappointment by Chief of Police Bernard Parks. While the ACLU/SC has not taken a position on Chief Parks' reappointment, the affiliate is in agreement with the Chief on the issue of an open Police Commission meeting.

Fred Okrand, Legal Director Emeritus of the ACLU Foundation of Southern California, passed away Monday night after a long illness.