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Free Speech

The right to express yourself regardless of the popularity your views is basic to a democratic society. Throughout its history, the ACLU has met challenges from officials who cite reasons old and new to restrict this right. We recognize that if one person can be silenced, all of us are at risk.

Government Agencies to Pay $418,000 in Political Surveillance Case

June 28, 2010
Three law enforcement agencies in Washington are paying a total of $418,000 to resolve a lawsuit over the wrongful arrest and covert surveillance of an Olympia activist who was prevented from participating in a lawful demonstration. Read More »
 

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Lawsuit Seeks Access to Information on Internet For Adult Library Patrons

October 24, 2011
 Oral argument is being held on Oct. 25 in an ACLU lawsuit defending the rights of adults to access information on the Internet on public library computers. The suit challenges a central Washington library system’s filtering policy that hampers adults in researching school assignments, locating businesses and organizations, and doing personal reading on lawful subjects.   Read More »
 

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Lawsuit Seeking Access to Information on Internet for Adult Library Patrons to Continue in Federal Court

May 6, 2010
An ACLU lawsuit defending the rights of adults to access information on the Internet on public library computers will continue in federal court in the wake of today’s Washington Supreme Court 6-3 ruling rejecting claims under the Washington State Constitution. The suit challenges a filtering policy that hampers adults in researching school assignments, locating businesses and organizations, and doing personal reading on lawful subjects. Read More »
 
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Free Speech Flourishes at GeekGirlCon

Sarah Davies, ACLU-WA Internet Operations Manager
Monday, October 10th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Over the weekened, I had the opportunity to attend the first ever GeekGirlCon. Over two days, the con covered video games, movies, geeky parenting, blogging, vlogging, puppet making, gaming, music and of course, costumes. Read More »
 
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Renton Police Drop Criminal Investigation of Cartoonist

In a victory for free speech, the Renton Police Department has backed off its criminal investigation of a cartoonist who posted online anonymous parodies on YouTube. The ACLU-WA had criticized the department for misusing the cyberstalking law to obtain a search warrant in hopes of forcing Google to reveal the cartoonist's identity. Read More »
 

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Settlement Ends "Postcard-Only" Policy at Spokane Jail

July 25, 2011
Personal mail to inmates at Spokane County Jail will no longer be limited to postcards, under terms of the settlement of a lawsuit filed by the publication Prison Legal News. The ACLU-WA filed a brief in the suit, explaining that the restrictive policy violated the rights of both inmates and individuals who correspond with them. Read More »
 

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Seattle Gets Rid of “Incumbent-Protection” Clause for Voters’ Guide

Shankar Narayan, ACLU-WA Legislative Director
Tuesday, July 12th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
Candidates for elected office in Seattle now will be able to discuss their opponents in statements published in the pamphlet that voters receive in election season.  The ACLU-WA began working for this common-sense policy change a decade ago. Read More »
 
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Parades, Protests, and Politics: Know Your Rights

Jennifer Shaw
Thursday, June 16th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Summer brings people outside to enjoy the great American traditions of parades, festivals, and free speech. Outdoor events like marches, rallies, and protests bring communities together to exercise their free speech rights. Take the quiz to learn about your rights to participate in these traditional free speech activities. Read More »
 
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Censorship: First Metro Ads, Now Privately Owned Billboards

 A commercial company has decided to dismantle at least three billboards protesting U.S. aid for the Israeli military, after the ads were paid for and erected. The ACLU-WA is representing SeaMAC, the group which sponsored the billboards, in challenging an earlier decision by King County not to honor a contract to run ads on Metro buses.  Read More »
 

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