LAPD Gang Injunctions Gave Cops a License to Harass and Control Black and Latino Residents

Peter Arellano's life changed when a Los Angeles Police Department officer handed him a piece of paper informing him that he was now subject to a "gang injunction." He could no longer visit his neighbors in their homes, drive to church with his family, ride his bike through the local park, or even stand in his own front yard with his father or brother. If he violated these terms, he could be arrested and jailed. Arellano, who has never been convicted of any crime, had effectively been placed on house arrest.

By Melanie Penny Ochoa

Peter Arrellano, plaintiff in YJC v. Los Angeles, standing in front of a Volkswagen bug in a carport with a Dodgers flag hanging from the top of the carport

The Government's Case Against California's 'Sanctuary' Policies Is on Weak Legal Ground

Last week, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the latest move in this administration’s increasingly desperate attempts to bully states and localities into colluding with its draconian detention and deportation agenda. Following a brief aside to blame all immigrants for violent crime, homicides, and opioid overdose deaths, he told a meeting of the California Peace Officers' Association that the Justice Department had just filed a major lawsuit against the state of California.

By Jennie Pasquarella, Ruthie Epstein

Stand with California Values. Man holding sign that reads: California Values Communities

Culver City: Sanctuary City Only By Name?

To resist the Trump administration's cruel immigration enforcement policies, Culver City, California declared itself a sanctuary city. The City Council passed a resolution in March 2017 declaring the city's commitment "to protecting the safety, well-being and constitutional rights of its residents

By Mohammad Tajsar

Culver City sign in front of palm tree with sky and clouds in the background

Jeff Sessions' Lawsuit Is An Invitation for California to Break the Law

Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions has a message for California: Be like us, break the law.

By Jennie Pasquarella

California flag with red star in upper left, brown bear in the middle, with text that reads: California values families, #STANDwithCAValues

Is It Constitutional to Lock Up Immigrants Indefinitely?

Supreme Court deals a setback for due process but leaves the most important question for lower courts to answer. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Jennings v. Rodriguez, a class action lawsuit challenging the federal government’s practice of jailing immigrants for months or

By Ahilan Arulanantham, Michael Tan

We the People Dare to Create a More Perfect Union. Image of Statue of Liberty.

Spread California Love for the Defiant Ones

Define "defiance." I've posed this statement to school administrators across the country after they've used it to kick students out of school. Some for dancing, breaking the dress code, or not paying attention. I myself had this experience. One of my earliest school memories was of being deprived

By Amir Whitaker

People rallying at the state Capitol in support of SB 607

Tony Rackaukas's Perfect (and Illegal) Online World

The Scandal-Ridden Orange County D.A. Hits 'Delete' on All Negative Comments — Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas is one of the most scandal-ridden and criticized government figures in California. He has been roundly disparaged by courts, legal experts, the Orange County community and

By Brendan Hamme

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackaukas's Facebook page

Immigrant Children Do Not Have the Right to an Attorney Unless They Can Pay, Rules Appeals Court

[UPDATE] September 20, 2018[/UPDATE] On September 19, 2018, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the decision in C.J.L.G. v. Sessions, which denied immigrant children the right to a court-appointed attorney, even in asylum cases with life-and-death stakes. The Court ordered the case to be reargued before a panel of 11 judges. The hearing will occur the week of December 10.

By Ahilan Arulanantham

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Let’s Stop Sexual Harassment and Violence Before They Begin With Comprehensive Sex Ed

To stop the objectification of women and power imbalance that fuels this societal epidemic, we need to start long before anyone enters the workplace. If we want to be serious about making long-term cultural change to stop sexual harassment and violence, we should provide comprehensive sex ed in all

By Melissa Goodman

Students sitting in a classroom