News & Commentary

Today the ACLU of Southern California filed suit in federal court against the Belridge School District, a public school district near Bakersfield, in Kern County, California, challenging the constitutionality of the use of textbooks that convey a particular religious perspective on a wide range of classroom subjects, and that are replete with verbatim biblical passages and prayers for students to read. The suit also challenges the display of a banner on the walls of the Belridge School cafeteria that sets forth a Psalm.

A court approved mediation today ended years of legal and political debate over Proposition 187. The agreement confirms that no child in the state of California will be deprived of an education or stripped of healthcare due to their place of birth. It also makes clear that the state cannot regulate immigration, a job clearly assigned by the US constitution and federal law to the national government.

Today the ACLU of Southern California filed a civil rights class action lawsuit in California Superior Court on behalf of public high school students who are being denied equal and adequate access to AP courses. The ACLU/SC lawsuit (Daniel v. State of California) charges that the State of California is in violation of the Equal Protection Clause and the Education Clause of the California constitution. Under the California constitution, public education is a fundamental right making the State obligated to correct inequities in the school system. This first of its kind case represents a compelling example of denial of equal educational opportunities in the aftermath of Proposition 209. The State's failure to assure equal access to AP courses further perpetuates educational inequalities, particularly for students enrolled in lower income, predominantly African-American and Latino schools.

The ACLU of Southern California will join dozens of students unjustly barred from participating in their graduation ceremonies in a 'mock' graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 22, at 1 p.m. Parents, fellow students and teachers are expected to attend.

Today the United States House of Representatives passed a measure which would allow states to pass laws permitting public schools to place the Ten Commandments in classrooms across this country. The ACLU of Southern California is shocked by this clear and arrogant violation of our constitution.

The ACLU of Southern California expressed strong disapproval of today's decision by the California State Supreme Court in Regents v. Superior Court (formerly Molloy v. Regents ), a case arising from the University of California Board of Regents' approval of resolutions abolishing affirmative action. The Court held that student reporter Tim Molloy and the UCSB student newspaper, The Daily Nexus, may not pursue their claim that former Governor Pete Wilson and the U.C. Board of Regents violated the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, in voting to approve resolutions abolishing affirmative action at the U.C. Today's ruling reverses lower court decisions, which had allowed Molloy's case to go forward. Still in question, and unresolved by today's decision, is whether then-Governor Wilson violated the Public Records Act by refusing to turn over telephone records of his conversations with other members of the Board of Regents.

The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors has settled a case brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California. The suit stemmed from the County's grant of $2,500 to the Mission College Catholic Preparatory High School for a school theater production. The ACLU had argued that the grant violated the Establishment Clause of the United States constitution and Article IX and Article XVI of the California constitution, which prohibit government funding of sectarian schools and institutions.

The ACLU of Southern California today joined with community leaders in support of Maria Elena Durazo, president of Local 11 of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union. On Thursday, Ms. Durazo completed an eleven day hunger-strike to draw attention to the union's four-year fight to win a written guarantee of job security for cafeteria workers and janitors at The University of Southern California. The ACLU, among other organizations and individuals supporting the union, have pledged to take up the hunger strike, each agreeing to go one day with only water.

The United States Supreme Court today ruled states cannot pay lower welfare benefits to new residents than to longtime residents.The 7-2 decision said California's limit on benefits for new residents violates the constitutional right to travel.