News & Commentary

LOS ANGELES - The ACLU affiliates of Southern California, Northern California, and San Diego joined forces today on behalf of the AFL-CIO, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Southwest Voter Registration and Education Project, Common Cause, and the Chicano Federation of San Diego County to challenge California's flawed and discriminatory voting system. The suit was filed in federal court and alleges that California's hodgepodge of voting systems creates unacceptably discriminatory results in violation of the U.S. Constitution and that its lack of legally binding standards for recounts aggravates these unconstitutional disparities. The suit focuses on the disparities between counties using the now-notorious pre-scored punch card voting systems and those using other, more reliable systems.

LOS ANGELES - Community leaders and groups today unveiled an unprecedented level of support for a new racial profiling data collection bill, AB 788, introduced by Assemblymember Marco Firebaugh. The bill requires data collection on traffic stops and establishes a strong statutory definition of racial profiling to enable law enforcement agencies and communities to combat the problem effectively. Today was the deadline for groups to list their support or opposition to the bill for its first hearing. More than seventy community organizations and civil rights groups across the state have submitted their endorsements to the Public Safety Committee - far more endorsements than a typical bill -- an indication that last year's efforts built momentum on this issue and that communities have quickly lined up to make this a top civil rights priority again this year.

LOS ANGELES - The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California reported today on Los Angeles mayoral candidates' responses to the ACLU's questions about police reform. The report, which asked mayoral candidates questions concerning Rampart, the consent decree, structural reforms beyond the consent decree, and the problem of officer morale, reveals a general commitment to reform - with key differences on specific measures.

LOS ANGELES - The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California filed suit in federal court today against officials in charge of the National Park Service (NPS) to compel them to remove a large permanent cross from the Mojave National Preserve. The cross is located in San Bernardino County, California and is clearly visible from a road running through the park. An ACLU member brought the cross to the organization's attention. The ACLU/SC negotiated for many months with NPS officials and believed that the matter was closed after the organization received a letter in October of last year from National Park Service officials announcing their decision to remove it. On December 15, 2000, however, Congress passed HR 4577, which precludes the use of federal funds to remove the cross. The cross remains in place, a clear violation of the First Amendment's non-establishment of religion clause.

LOS ANGELES - Civil rights groups today heralded the introduction of AB 788 as a significant new piece of legislation that will move California forward in its effort to curb the pernicious practice of racial profiling in traffic stops, an issue that persists throughout California.

The firing of Police Commission President Gerald Chaleff by Mayor Riordan is an effort to shift the blame for the lack of police reform in Los Angeles. The Mayor himself is responsible for blocking progress on police reform and is now trying to make Commissioner Chaleff the fall guy.

LOS ANGELES - The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California filed suit today in federal court on behalf of residents of City Council District 13, who have been deprived by the City Council of representation on that body. The City Council on January 23rd refused to fill the seat formerly held by Jackie Goldberg, who vacated her City Council seat after the November 2000 election, in which she won a seat in the State Assembly. The ACLU of Southern California charges that the continued vacancy violates the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the City Charter, because it deprives the constituents of the 13th District of a voice on the City Council, even as the Council makes decisions which profoundly affect them.

LOS ANGELES - The ACLU of Southern California strongly opposes efforts to give Anaheim police officers the authority to arrest people suspected of violating federal immigration laws.

LOS ANGELES - In response to two Councilmembers' proposal to undo the LAPD consent decree, the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California will appeal to the City Council to swiftly reject the proposal and, in addition, will appeal to all mayoral candidates to affirm their commitment to the decree, which has already been signed by the City of Los Angeles and the Department of Justice. The consent decree grew out of a pattern of police abuse and civil liberties and civil rights violations that came to light in connection with the Rampart scandal. The ACLU/SC was the first to call for federal intervention and recently insisted, along with noted legal scholar Erwin Chemerinsky and groups such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, that local residents and groups needed a more direct role in monitoring enforcement of the decree. The ACLU filed suit last month to intervene on behalf of residents and community groups, alleging that full and vigorous enforcement of the decree would be endangered by President-elect Bush's open resistance to the U.S. Department of Justice's intervention in police-related civil rights cases, as well as the City's own history of backsliding from commitments it has made to reform the LAPD.