News Releases

In a victory for free speech rights, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the City of Seattle's ordinance for granting permits for parades and marches gives police too much discretion to revoke or alter permits.

The ACLU has asked Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske to take action to reduce unjustified arrests for obstructing a police officer, a charge that is only intended to be used on bystanders who interfere with police actions.

The Washington Supreme Court has ruled that police don't need a warrant or permission from a suspect before collecting genetic evidence from saliva used to seal an envelope. The ACLU had urged the Court to consider the risks to personal privacy from abuses of this practice.

Government needs a warrant or a subpoena that can be challenged in court before gaining access to personal bank records, according to a unanimous decision of the Washington Supreme Court.

The King County Council has voted to create an independent office of oversight for the Sheriff's office. It was one of several recommendations made by a blue ribbon panel that included ACLU of Washington Legislative Director Jennifer Shaw.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission has asked phone companies to preserve call records that may have been illegally surrendered to a government spying program.

Shimrote Ishaque is joining nine other citizens who have experienced stops, body searches, handcuffing, excessive force and other aggravations by customs officers - all partly due to inaccurate government records.

A Q&A about walkouts, policy regarding absences, and other student political speech at public schools.

The ACLU has filed an amicus brief challenging Pierce County’s practice of routinely examining hotel registration records without reasonable suspicion of a crime.