News Releases

Today, a group of leaders from Washington’s ethnic and racial communities, in collaboration with the ACLU of Washington, submitted comments addressing the state Liquor Control Board’s initial draft rules for Initiative 502.

A class-action lawsuit is challenging a public defense system that deprives indigent persons of their constitutional right to assistance of counsel. The suit says that Mt. Vernon and Burlington are not meeting their duty to ensure that low-income individuals have a fair chance to defend themselves in court. A two-week trial has wrapped up, and the judge is expected to rule later this summer.

The ACLU today filed a lawsuit on behalf of a gay couple in Kennewick against a florist that refused to sell them flowers because of their sexual orientation.  When a business serves the general public, the business owner’s personal religious beliefs cannot serve as a justification for discriminating against customers.

A florist in Richland discriminated against a gay couple by refusing to sell them flowers because of the owner’s religious beliefs. The business’ refusal to sell flowers to the couple violates the Washington Law Against Discrimination. ACLU of Washington is representing the couple in seeking remedies.

A Kent woman unfairly denied rental housing is suing the tenant screening company that recommended she be denied housing because of a two-decade-old criminal conviction. It violates the Washington Fair Credit Reporting Act for tenant screeners to report criminal history information older than seven years. Everyone deserves a fair chance at a fresh start.

A study released by the University of Washington today offers detailed analysis of the impacts of King County Jail’s collaboration in the immigration enforcement policies and practices of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a division of the Department of Homeland Security.

The ACLU of Washington welcomes the proposal to establish a process for the acquisition of surveillance technology by the City of Seattle. Transparency and opportunities for public input are essential , as we have seen recently with controversies generated by the City’s acquisition of drones and  also a system of surveillance cameras and a mesh network.

SEATTLE - Today, a group of substance abuse prevention and treatment professionals and public health advocates, in collaboration with the ACLU of Washington, submitted recommendations for marijuana rulemaking to the state Liquor Control Board.  Initiative 502, passed by Washington voters last November, requires the board to finalize regulations governing marijuana production and distribution by December 1. The deadline for the public to submit input on the drafting of rules for producer licenses is March 15.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit will hear oral argument in a lawsuit to uphold Working Washington’s free speech rights on light rail trains. The case will is being heard today, Friday, March 8 at the U.S. Courthouse in Seattle (1010 Fifth Ave., 7th floor). The ACLU of Washington is representing Working Washington in the suit.

The Washington Voting Rights Act (WVRA), HB 1413, today passed the Washington House of Representatives by a vote of  53-44. Sponsored by Representative Luis Moscoso and Senator Sharon Nelson, the bill is designed to ensure fair representation and accountability in local governments throughout the state.