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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!

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Published: 
Friday, October 14, 2016
While the City moves to develop sustainable, long-term solutions to the homelessness crisis, it must also abandon the ineffective, inhumane policy of chasing Seattle’s homeless population from place to place. Seattle currently lacks adequate housing for the number of individuals living outdoors.  People will live outdoors because they have no choice. 
Published: 
Friday, July 22, 2016
The State Supreme Court has found that Lakewood’s law banning panhandling in certain areas violates free speech rights. The ruling is a vindication of the rights of homeless people.

El Restablecimiento Del Derecho a Votar en Washington

Document, Published: 
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
La asamblea legislativa de Washington recientemente aprobó una ley la cual automáticamente restaura el derecho a votar a personas culpables de delitos graves al haber cumplido su condena de prisión y período de supervisión comunitaria bajo la supervisión del Departamento Correccional. 
Published: 
Friday, January 8, 2016
The ACLU of Washington has filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging the Washington Supreme Court to strike down a Lakewood ordinance that unconstitutionally infringes on freedom of speech.

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