News Releases

In an order signed by Chief Justice Barbara Durham on May 12th, the Washington Supreme Court has decided not to review a 1997 Court of Appeals ruling that found unconstitutional the Bellingham juvenile curfew ordinance enacted in 1992.

The American Civil Liberties Union today filed claims for compensation with the U.S. Treasury Department on behalf of two Somali businessmen in Seattle. The businessmen seek fair compensation for losses suffered from a raid in early November by government agents seeking assets of a completely separate money-transfer business.

Today legislation was introduced in the House and the Senate to ensure the privacy of cable television subscribers. Senate Bill 5868 and House Bill 1842 prohibit a cable company from revealing to any third party which cable services an individual subscriber receives, or the extent or nature of the subscriber’s viewing or use of other cable services.

In February 2004 the ACLU announced an agreement settling a discrimination complaint filed by a gay man against a Seattle business that refused to print invitations to his wedding with his same-sex partner. Under the agreement, the business owner apologized for her actions and agreed to abide by Seattle’s anti-discrimination law in the future.

The ACLU has asked the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to investigate reports that telephone companies have regularly shared consumer telephone records with the National Security Agency without lawful authority.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Center for Justice (CFJ) have reached an agreement with the Spokane Transit Authority to protect freedom of speech at the Plaza in downtown Spokane. The agreement settles a lawsuit challenging restrictions on free speech at Plaza sidewalks that the groups filed on behalf of Donald Ausderau, a Christian minister, and the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Spokane in June 2003.

All student-initiated clubs have the right to speak on campus and circulate leaflets or underground newspapers at school. However, the ACLU believes that no student-initiated club has a legal right to force the school to give official endorsement and money to the group if the school does not wish to sponsor it.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today hailed the passage of Initiative 75, a ballot measure making enforcement of marijuana laws relating to adult personal use the lowest enforcement priority for the Seattle Police Department and City Attorney.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington announced today that it is offering attorneys to accompany any individuals in the state who are questioned by officials as part of a U.S. Department of Justice "dragnet" investigation.