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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.
Know Your Rights: Street Speech.  Can I pass out flyers to crowds at a mall?  A farmers market? At a school or campus? Find out!

Resources

Published: 
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Lawyers who provide free legal advice to immigrants can continue to do so now that federal court judge Richard A. Jones has granted Northwest Immigrant Rights Project’s (NWIRP) request for a preliminary injunction against the Department of Justice.

Know Your Rights: Speech in Public Places

Document, Published: 
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Can I pass out flyers in a mall? Talk to visitors to a farmers market? Speak on the grounds of a college campus? Download our guide to your free speech rights in public places.
News Release, Published: 
Friday, June 30, 2017
President Trump’s so-called “Presidential Commission on Election Integrity” is a sham commission that uses false claims of voting fraud as a pretext for voter suppression.

Equal Access Act

Document, Published: 
Friday, May 5, 2017
Many schools allow students to form clubs, like a drama club or a debate club. Under the law, schools cannot discriminate against student clubs, like Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) for example, simply because they disagree with the message or purpose of a club. This document provides information about the federal Equal Access Act and protections for student clubs.
News Release, Published: 
Monday, March 13, 2017
The Whatcom County prosecutor on Monday withdrew a search warrant obtained by the Whatcom County Sheriff Department that would have allowed a search of a Facebook account associated with a local group protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline. 

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