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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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Your Right to Take to the Streets

Rose Spidell
Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011 at 1:26 pm
Working in my office in downtown Seattle last Wednesday afternoon, I was pleased to hear the sounds of chanting and looked out to see people peacefully marching down the street holding signs. As spring inches its way to Seattle, I hope we will see more of the same, with people bringing their varied messages to the streets, sidewalks, parks, and squares all around our city. Read More »
 
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Street speech

Street Speech: Demonstrating How to Protect the Rights of Marchers

Rabi Lahiri
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Like publishing ideas in books or newspapers, demonstrating in the streets has been one of the fundamental outlets for speech throughout our nation’s history.  The Supreme Court has long held that speech gets maximum protection in certain kinds of public places, like parks, sidewalks, and streets.  People with soapboxes need somewhere to put them, after all.

In these public places, speech may be limited only for narrow and very specific reasons.  States are allowed, for example, to prohibit demonstrators from blocking access to buildings like hospitals or fire stations.  We allow the government to make and enforce laws designed to keep those vital public services operating, even when it might limit people’s right to demonstrate in certain areas.  Courts call these “time, place, and manner restrictions,” and as long as they meet certain criteria, they’re constitutional.

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Lawsuit Challenges Unlawful Arrests and Restrictions at Port of Tacoma Protests

September 24, 2009
Anti-war activists are pursuing a lawsuit challenging police actions that violated their rights at demonstrations at the Port of Tacoma: unlawful arrests, unconstitutional restrictions, unreasonable force, and unauthorized surveillance, all designed to discourage and prevent peaceful protest. Read More »
 

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McCarthy v. Barrett

Anti-war activists are pursuing a lawsuit challenging Tacoma Police Department actions that violated their rights at demonstrations at the Port of Tacoma. The suit asserts police conducted unlawful arrests, imposed unconstitutional restrictions, used unreasonable force, and engaged in unauthorized surveillance in order to discourage and prevent peaceful protest. Read More »
 
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United States Mission v. City of Puyallup

The ACLU of Washington filed a lawsuit against the City of Puyallup to uphold the religious freedom and free speech rights of United States Mission. The suit seeks an injunction against enforcement of a solicitation ordinance that prevents the religious organization from carrying out its mission of preaching the "Social Gospel." The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Tacoma. Read More »
 
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Puyallup Amends Ordinance to Protect Religious Freedom

September 4, 2009
In response to an ACLU of Washington lawsuit, the Puyallup City Council amended its solicitation ordinance to protect the rights of a religious organization to spread its message. The ACLU had filed suit on behalf of United States Mission challenging city restrictions that prevented the organization from carrying out its mission of preaching the "Social Gospel." Read More »
 

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Hickey v. The City of Seattle

The City of Seattle agreed to settle a lawsuit on behalf of protestors arrested during WTO demonstrations in downtown Seattle. The city earlier had settled a lawsuit brought by the ACLU on behalf of two people who were harassed or arrested by Seattle Police for the content of their speech at the demonstrations. Read More »
 
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Appeals Court Overturns Seattle's Ordinance for Granting Permits to March

December 12, 2008
In a victory for free speech rights, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the City of Seattle's ordinance for granting permits for parades and marches gives police too much discretion to revoke or alter permits. Read More »
 

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Appeals Court Overturns Seattle's Ordinance for Granting Permits to March

In a victory for free speech rights, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the City of Seattle's ordinance for granting permits for parades and marches gives police too much discretion to revoke or alter permits. Read More »
 
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