Can't Protect Itself
FREE EXPRESSION
News Releases
Court Sanctions Citizens for Efforts to Oust Public Officials, June 17, 2009
Blogger's Speech Rights Intact after Dismissal of Lawsuit, June 16, 2009
Citing Legislative Victory, First Amendment Groups Drop Lawsuit Over Prohibition of Campaign Apparel at the Polls, June 5, 2009
Federal Court Says State May Not Prevent Privacy Advocate from Disseminating Social Security Numbers Found on Government Websites, June 2, 2009
Injunction Order
Judge Payne's Opinion
Op-Ed: First Amendment Lessons: When Jerry Falwell, Jr. Defrocked the Democrats at Liberty University, June 2, 2009
Op-Ed: Virginia Fusion Center's Assessment of Terrorist Threat Begs for Assessment of Fusion Center, April 29, 2009
Governor Orders Investigation of Virginia Fusion Center, April 29, 2009
ACLU Seeks Review of Virginia Fusion Center, April 28, 2009
Proposal to Ban Panhandling of Vehicle Occupants in Richmond Withdrawn by Sponsor, April 27, 2009
Virginia Supreme Court Declares Virginia Beach Noise Ordinance Unconstitutional, April 17, 2009
Christiansburg Blogger May Criticize Developer's Dirt Pile, April 10, 2009
Virginia Fusion Center Says Universities Are Possible Terrorist Threats, April 7, 2009
ACLU-VA Analysis of Fusion Center Report
ACLU Says Richmond Must Allow Political Sign Opposing New Ballpark, April 2, 2009
Charges Dropped Against Voter Arrested for Wearing McCain T-Shirt to Polls on Election Day, March 27, 2009
Art Show to Go On as Scheduled at William and Mary, March 23, 2009
ACLU Wants Governor to Sign Bills to Protect Rights of Voters, Petitioners and Drivers, March 19, 2009
Court Should Not Require Albemarle County Blogger to Surrender Notes or Identify Anonymous Comments, March 5, 2009
Copy of Brief (pdf)
First Amendment Organizations Offer Support to Gloucester Residents Sanctioned for Attempting to Remove Elected Officials, January 30, 2009
Unconstitutional Secrecy Provisions Hide Iraq War Costs and Public Safety Information from the Public, January 15, 2009
ACLU Assists Farmville Demonstrators Opposed to Construction of New Immigrant Detention Center, January 13, 2009
Letter to Police Chief
Letter to Town Council
ACLU Tells Richmond Officials to Drop Proposal Prohibiting Panhandling of Vehicle Occupants, January 13, 2009
Letter to Public Safety Committee
Legal Memo
ACLU Considering Offering Legal Representation to Gloucester Residents
who Attempted to Remove Local Elected Officials from Office, December 16, 2008
ACLU Defends Madison Voter Arrested for Wearing McCain T-Shirt to Polls on Election Day, December 16, 2008
Free Speech Groups Challenge Ban on Political Attire at Polls, December 10, 2008
Complaint in Borak v. Rodrigues (pdf)
Free Speech Groups to Challenge Ban on Political Attire at Polls, October 29, 2008
Judge Rules in Favor of Christiansburg Blogger Sued for Criticizing Developer’s Dirt Pile, October 14, 2008
ACLU Asks State Board of Elections to Allow Political Messages on Apparel in Polling Places, October 10, 2008
ACLU Letter to SBE
ACLU Asks Virginia Police Chiefs to Train Personnel on the Rights of Persons Who Register Voters, September 24, 2008
ACLU Letter to Police Chiefs
Virginia Supreme Court Rules State Anti-SPAM Law Violates Free Speech by Curtailing Non-commercial Political Speech, September 12, 2008
Virginia Supreme Court Opinion
Court Upholds Privacy Advocate’s Right to Post Public Records on Website, August 22, 2008
U.S. District Court Ruling
ACLU Warns Virginia Housing Authorities Not to Interfere with Political Canvassing, July 31, 2008
ACLU Letter to Housing Authorities
Norfolk Drops Criminal Charges against Music Artist for On-stage Comments, July 24, 2008
State Agrees Not to Enforce New Social Security Number Dissemination Law against Privacy Rights Advocate, June 30, 2008
ACLU Challenges Law Masking State's Failure to Prevent Social Security Numbers from Appearing in Publicly-Accesible Internet Records, June 11, 2008
ACLU Complaint
ACLU Defends Christiansburg Citizen’s First Amendment Right to Criticize Developer, May 23, 2008
ACLU Demurrer
Botetourt County Promises to Repeal Ordinance Placing Time Limits on Campaign Signs, April 22, 2008
Berryville Revises Demonstration Ordinance Under Pressure from ACLU and VOP, April 15, 2008
Federal Court Says Ban on Alcohol-Related Advertising in College Publications Violates Free Speech, April 1, 2008
Opinion from Federal District Court
ACLU, VOP Demand Repeal of Berryville Ordinance, March 21, 2008
ACLU Letter to Berryville Officials
ACLU Seeks Repeal of Botetourt County Ordinance Placing Time Limits on Campaign Signs, March 20, 2008
ACLU Letter to Botetourt County
ACLU Asks Governor to Amend Bill on Student Religious Expression, March 14, 2008
ACLU Letter to Gov. Kaine
Fired Art Teacher Wins $65,000 Settlement from Chesterfield County School Board, March 7, 2008
ACLU Calls for Veto or Amendment to Bill Prohibiting Dissemination of Social Security Numbers, March 6, 2008
ACLU's Letter to Gov. Kaine
ACLU Urges William & Mary to Allow Controversial Show to Go On, February 4, 2008
ACLU Letter to WM Pres. Nichol
ACLU's First Letter to WM
Portsmouth High School Allows Lesbian Pride T-shirt, January 22, 2008
ACLU Tells Richmond Officials to Drop Proposal to Require Permits for Panhandlers, November 7, 2007
ACLU Letter and Legal Memo
Censored Art Teacher Sues Chesterfield County School Board, October 4, 2007
ACLU of Virginia Murmer Complaint
ACLU Warns Herndon against Using Zoning Ordinances to Suppress Job Seeking by Day Laborers, September 18, 2007
ACLU Asks Herndon Not to Enforce Anti-Immigrant Ordinance Banning Day Labor Solicitation, September 4, 2007
ACLU letter to Herndon Town Attorney
ACLU Says Radford Sign Ordinance Violates First Amendment Rights of University Students, July 23, 2007
ACLU Investigates Police Suppression of Speech at Richmond Fourth of July Celebration, July 20, 2007
ACLU Files Brief on Behalf of Business Owner Who Claims Police Retaliation for Complaints against Detective, June 14, 2007
ACLU Amicus Brief
ACLU Says Ad Restrictions Violate Free Speech Rights of College Newspapers, May 31, 2007
Federal Court in Richmond to Hear ACLU Case Challenging Regulation Banning Alcohol-Related Advertising in College Publications, May 30, 2007
ACLU Believes School Teacher Has Right to Artistic Expression Separate from School Duties, December 14, 2006
ACLU Reiterates Promise to Challenge Richmond Anti-Panhandling Ordinance If Key Provision is Not Removed, December 11, 2006
Letter to Richmond City Council
Legal Memo to Richmond City Council
ACLU Promises Legal Challenge if Richmond City Adopts Anti-Panhandling Ordinance, November 11, 2006
Letter to Richmond City Council
Legal Memo
ACLU Asks Public Safety Committee to Vote Down Richmond Anti-Panhandling Ordinance, November 7, 2006
Letter to Chairperson Jackson
Legal Memo
Judge Dismisses Trespassing Charges Brought against Candidate Who Passed Out Leaflets at Shopping Center, October 12, 2006
ACLU Asks Virginia Police Chiefs to Educate Personnel on the Rights of Political Canvassers, October 10, 2006
ACLU Appeals Case to Virginia Supreme Court, Argues for Political Expression at Shopping Centers, August 10, 2006
Judge Allows Signs Critical of Chesterfield Government Officials, June 19, 2006
ACLU of Virginia Challenges Regulation Banning Alcohol-Related Advertising in College Publications, June 8, 2006
ACLU of Virginia Says Removal of Website Criticizing Hargrave Military Academy Goes Too Far, May 16, 2006
ACLU to Argue That Virginia Constitution Protects Political Leafleting at Shopping Center, May 10, 2006
ACLU To Argue that Chesterfield Sign Regulations Violate Free Speech, April 25, 2006
ACLU Wants More Assurances that Student Free Speech Will Be Protected in Prince William Schools, April 24, 2006
ACLU Seeks Assurances from Occoquan School Principal that T-Shirts Expressing Cultural Solidarity Will Be Permitted, April 3, 2006
ACLU of Virginia Board Member David Baugh to Receive Prestigious Pro Bono Award, March 17, 2006
ACLU of Virginia Demands Apology and Damages for Student Arrested for Protesting Campus Military Recruiters, February 17, 2006
Hampton University Students Punished for Speech on Campus, But None Is Expelled, December 5, 2005
ACLU of Virginia Asks Hampton University to Accommodate Student Free Speech on Campus, December 1, 2005
GMU Will Not Press for Prosecution of Student Arrested for Protesting Campus Military Recruiters, October 20, 2005
ACLU of Virginia to Defend GMU Student Arrested for Protesting Campus Military Recruiters,
October 5, 2005
ACLU of Virginia Seeks Information from Principal Who Suspended Student for Distributing Religious Materials, October 4, 2005
ACLU Asks Virginia Court to Allow Political Expression at Shopping Centers, August 24, 2005
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Website Critical of Rev. Jerry Falwell, August 24, 2005
ACLU to Ask Fairfax County to Allow School Officials to Speak at Baccalaureate Services, July 29, 2005
Appeals Court Reinstates Lawsuit Challenging Ban on Teen Nudist Camps in Virginia, July 6, 2005
New ACLU Report Examines Bush Administration's Assault on Academic Freedom and Scientific Inquiry, June 21, 2005
Right to Run Web Site Critical of the Rev. Jerry Falwell is Focus of Federal Court of Appeals Argument Tomorrow, May 25, 2005
Appeals Court to Hear Arguments Tomorrow in Challenge to Law Banning Teen Nudist Camps, March 15, 2005
ACLU Asks Chesterfield School to Allow Gay Speaker; Says School’s Treatment of Gay-Straight Club is Discriminatory, March 10, 2005
Senate Committee’s 7-7 Vote Kills Bill Requiring Schools to Notify Parents When Students Refuse to Recite Pledge, February 17, 2005
Delegate Pulls Anti-Gay Marriage License Plate Bill, February 15, 2005
Virginia Senate Panel Kills Controversial Pants Bill That Elicited Worldwide Ridicule, February 10, 2005
Legislation Dictating Clothing Style Goes Too Far, February 8, 2005
Spotsylvania School Board Votes to Allow Students to Sit During Pledge of Allegiance, January 11, 2005
ACLU Says Spotsylvania County Schools Must Allow Students to Sit During Pledge of Allegiance, January 7, 2005
ACLU Legal Brief Says First Amendment Protects Website Critical of Rev. Jerry Falwell, November 24, 2004
School Agrees to Clean Up Record of Student Suspended for Wearing Trench Coat, October 4, 2004
ACLU Investigates Trench Coat Incident at Danville School, September 27, 2004
ACLU Warns Virginia Localities Not to Restrict Political Campaign Signs on Private Property, August 19, 2004
Under Pressure from ACLU, City Lets Bookstore Owner Reinstall Sign Critical of Public Officials, July 8, 2004
ACLU of Virginia Says City of Salem Must Allow Bookstore Owner to Restore Political Sign, July 7, 2004
ACLU Challenges Virginia Ban on Teen Nudist Camps, June 29, 2004
Governor Asked to Amend or Veto Bill Banning Nudist Camps for Juveniles, March 29, 2004
ACLU Files Court Papers Arguing that Virginia Beach Noise Ordinance is Unconstitutional, February 6, 2004
ACLU Asks House Committee Not to Ban Nudist Camps for Kids, February 3, 2004
ACLU Continues to Fight Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s Banning Policy, January 23, 2004
Change to Richmond Parade Ordinance Satisfies Lawsuit But Creates New First Amendment Problems, December 4, 2003
Appeals Court Rules that NRA T-Shirt is Entitled to Free Speech Protections in School, December 3, 2003
Richmond City Council To Vote On New Demonstration Ordinance in Response to Lawsuit, November 10, 2003
Lawsuit Filed Challenging Richmond Parade Ordinance, September 29, 2003
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to Hear “Choose Life” License Plate Arguments Tomorrow, September 22, 2003
Culpeper Agrees Not to Enforce Political Sign Restrictions; ACLU to Ask Same of All Virginia Jurisdictions, September 10, 2003
ACLU Tells Culpeper to Remove Restrictions on Political Signs, September 8, 2003
USA PATRIOT Act Protest Planned in Norfolk on Saturday, September 5, 2003
Farmville Agrees Not to Enforce Ordinance Restricting Posting of Political Signs, August 22, 2003
Farmville Told to Remove Restrictions on Political Signs, August 13, 2003
ACLU Hails Prince William County Decision to Drop Adult Business Surveillance Requirements, July 23, 2003
ACLU Warns Prince William County that Proposed Adult Ordinance Violates First Amendment and Privacy Rights, July 21, 2003
ACLU Says “Choose Life” License Plate Violates Free Speech; Urges General Assembly to Move Specialty License Plate Program to DMV, January 31, 2003
ACLU Files Briefs in Challenge to Lynchburg Public Assembly Ordinance, December 13, 2002
U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Virginia Cross Burning Case Arguments Tomorrow, December 10, 2002
Federal Court To Hear Motion to Dismiss Falwell Defamation Case Tomorrow, November 25, 2002
William & Mary Gives Equal Treatment to Labor Union, October 25, 2002
School Discrimination Policy in Prince William County Violates First Amendment Rights of Students, October 4, 2002
ACLU Warns Chesterfield Not to Block World Church of the Creator Meeting in Public Library, September 17, 2002
Federal Court in Lynchburg Asked to Dismiss Falwell’s Lawsuit against Satirical Website, September 9, 2002
Web Service Provider Threatened by State Department for Posting Video of Daniel Pearl Slaying, June 28, 2002
Virginia Supreme Court Rules Richmond Housing Authority Trespass Policy Is Unconstitutional, June 14, 2002
U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Virginia Cross Burning Case, May 28, 2002
FBI Agrees Not to Prevent Web Service from Posting Video of Pearl Slaying, May 28, 2002
VDOT to Allow Unprecedented Access to Meetings, May 23, 2002
ACLU, Fairfax Coalition for Smarter Growth Seek Free Speech Access to VDOT Meetings in Northern Virginia, April 30, 2002
Norfolk Middle School Student with Blue Hair Allowed to Return to Classroom, April 29, 2002
ACLU Tells Norfolk Principal to Cease Punishment of Middle School Student with Blue Hair, April 26, 2002
Court Strikes Down Lynchburg Assembly Ordinance, April 24, 2002
Appeals Court to Hear Pentagon Protest Case, April 4, 2002
ACLU Says Chesterfield's Proposed Adult Business Ordinance Violates First Amendment, Privacy Rights, March 27, 2002
Challenge to Lynchburg Public Assembly Ordinance to Be Heard in Court, February 22, 2002