Topic: American Civil Liberties Union
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
-
3 views on whether US still needs affirmative action
This November, voters in Oklahoma will consider a ballot measure banning affirmative action in public-sector hiring. And in October, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in the Fisher v. University of Texas case – centered on the use of affirmative action in public-university admissions. As the second installment in our One Minute Debate series for election 2012, three writers give their brief take on whether the United States still needs affirmative action.
-
CIA's harsh interrogation techniques: three key memos now online
The most detailed documents describing the Central Intelligence Agency’s secret interrogation, rendition, and detention program are now online in the American Civil Liberties Union’s new Torture Database. Here are three of the most important memos of the 5,000-plus that the ACLU obtained through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and legal challenges going back to 2003, according to Alexander Abdo, staff attorney for the ACLU’s National Security Project.
-
US Supreme Court: Big 21st century rulings
The past 12 years have seen significant US high court decisions with wide-ranging effects on personal freedoms and national politics. Another key ruling is expected this summer on President Obama's health-care reform law. Here are some recent top rulings, all decided by 5-to-4 votes.
-
Tyler Clementi and cyberbullying: how courts ruled in five other cases
The trial for the roommate of former Rutgers University Tyler Clementi will be watched by legal experts nationwide to see how the court addresses the growing issue of cyberbullying. Here is a list of court proceedings where cyberbullying or Internet privacy invasion was a key issue.
-
Election 101: 11 questions about Rick Perry and his White House bid
The Texas governor made clear his intention to run for president with appearances in South Carolina and New Hampshire on Saturday and a planned trip to Iowa on Sunday.
All Content
-
Questions abound after fatal shooting is captured by cops' own camera
A camera on the chest of an Oakland, Calif., police officer recorded the officer's fatal encounter with a suspect. The incident highlights the rising use of police chest-cams – and the legal and ethical questions surrounding them.
-
Ban on judge's Ten Commandments poster stands as Supreme Court declines case
A federal judge and a US appeals court ruled previously that the judge's poster, expressing preference for the moral absolutism of the Ten Commandments, violated previous Supreme Court rulings on the separation of church and state.
-
Anwar al-Awlaki: Is killing US-born terror suspects legal?
Civil libertarians and some constitutional scholars say the targeted assassination of US citizens like Anwar al-Awlaki – even in war time – cannot be justified. The Obama administration says it's a matter of necessary self defense against terrorist attacks.
-
Alabama life already changing under tough immigration law
Alabama's immigration law, billed as the toughest on illegal immigrants, is already having an impact on farmers, teachers, and contractors.
-
Green Economics
Do harsh littering fines lead to cleaner cities?London has an 80-pound fee for littering. Will it clean up the city?
-
Shoshana Hebshi, Ohio woman shocked by being taken from plane in US
Shoshana Hebshi told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Tuesday that she believes she was targeted because of her Middle Eastern appearance.
-
New Missouri 'Facebook bill': Let school districts make their own rules
The Missouri legislature wants to limit 'improper communications' between students and teachers, but its first 'Facebook law' was blocked by the courts. Now, it's trying a toned-down version.
-
New BART protests could test emerging policy on cell service shutdowns
After criticism from civil libertarians and First Amendment scholars, BART says it will consider a policy of shutting down cellular service only in an 'extreme case.' But what is an extreme case?
-
Can Facebook get teachers fired?
A Missouri public schoolteacher is seeking to stop a state law limiting teachers’ contact with students on social networks, calling it unconstitutional and a violation of protected free speech rights.
-
BART puts social media crackdown in 'uncharted' legal territory
The decision by BART officials to cut cellphone service Thursday – denying train-riding protesters access to social media – raises deep legal questions, analysts say.
-
BART backs off tactic of cutting cellphone service to thwart protests
After taking heat from the ACLU and being hacked by Anonymous for shutting down cellphone service to four stations last week, the Bay Area's BART kept cell service on during Monday protests.
-
Philadelphia 'flash mobs': black mayor takes aim at black community
The crackdown on 'flash mobs' by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter has put him in the center of a debate about how black leaders should respond to violence within their own community.
-
As Anonymous threatens BART, stakes rise in feud over cell service cutoff
Hackivist group Anonymous targets BART website, as retaliation for the Bay Area transit agency's cutoff of cellphone service to some passengers on Aug. 11. BART acted to stymie a protest at a subway station, which was being organized via social media.
-
Election 101: 11 questions about Rick Perry and his White House bid
The Texas governor made clear his intention to run for president with appearances in South Carolina and New Hampshire on Saturday and a planned trip to Iowa on Sunday.
-
Tribute to a red brick schoolhouse
Goodbye Abner Gibbs Elementary -- and your real-life Norman Rockwell world. A new, 'better' school for 600 kids will replace you. Sounds like a factory to me.
-
Will Missouri 'Facebook Law' spook teachers away from social media?
Some say Missouri's new 'Facebook Law' blocks useful student-teacher communication. Others call it a new gloss on an old rule: Teachers shouldn't be too chummy with students.
-
Is US a nation of liars? Casey Anthony isn't the only one.
Recent court cases – from Casey Anthony to Roger Clemens to Atlanta school teachers – may point to a prevalence of lying and cheating in US culture. Has America's moral compass gone haywire?
-
Alabama immigration law faces legal challenge: Can it survive?
Federal lawsuits have been filed against five states that have passed tough anti-illegal-immigration bills. Here is the legal state of play for all five state laws:
-
Opinion: Police need more nonlethal alternatives to firearms
Policing in the 21st century will be revolutionized by technology. Nonlethal weapons prevent fatalities, resolve difficult hostage situations, and save taxpayers money. Why are critics stalling their use, when police could be saving lives?
-
Immigration law: Another state cracks down on illegal workers
Immigration law signed by South Carolina governor, despite expected legal challenges. New immigration law would make it a felony to create fake photo IDs.
-
Supreme Court demands review of ruling in anti-illegal immigration case
A federal appeals court ruled that the anti-illegal immigration laws of Hazleton, Pa., clashed with federal authority. But the Supreme Court is telling the appeals court to reconsider the case.
-
Indiana can't block Medicaid money for Planned Parenthood, feds say
An Indiana law that prevents Medicaid dollars from going to Planned Parenthood, an abortion provider, runs afoul of Medicaid law, the Obama administration says. A long legal battle could be ahead, with other states watching to see if they can follow suit.
-
Supreme Court: US Muslim cannot sue Ashcroft for 2003 detention ordeal
Former Attorney General John Ashcroft is entitled to qualified immunity and cannot be sued by an American Muslim detained under harsh conditions in 2003, the US Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.
-
Patriot Act: three controversial provisions that Congress voted to keep
Congress had included sunset provisions in the USA Patriot Act to ensure that lawmakers revisited these measures. On Thursday, they extended three provisions for four years.
-
Economist Mom
When the public quits paying for public schoolsFacing budget shortfalls, public schools are starting to ask families to cover some expenses, including academic classes in some cases
Previous
Become part of the Monitor community