Issues

For much of California’s history, legal racial restrictions blocked people of color from economic opportunities like jobs and homeownership. Today, policies like excessive fines and fees disproportionately impact low-income people and people of color. The ACLU of Northern California works to eliminate poverty-based discrimination and support measures that promote equity and dignity, irrespective of a person’s financial status.

The offices of the ACLU of Northern California exist on the occupied territory of over 100 tribes. In recognition of this reality, our Indigenous Justice work supports tribal sovereignty and self-determination through community-directed processes, recognizing and uplifting Indigenous peoples as they preserve their cultures, dignity, and autonomy.

ACLU NorCal defends the right of LGBTQ+ individuals to live authentically, with full equality, and without fear.

The ACLU of Northern California fights for an expansive and inclusive democracy that represents all Californians. Government transparency empowers people to hold public officials accountable and fight corruption. We defend Californians’ right to fully participate in civic meetings and processes and to access government documents that belong to the public.

Every Californian who has an encounter with the police deserves to be treated with dignity and fairness. But too often police officers violate individuals’ constitutional rights. The ACLU of Northern California works to hold law enforcement accountable. We advocate for victims of police misconduct and support reforms that make our communities safer, while also reducing the role of police.

The ACLU of Northern California defends the right to privacy guaranteed by the California Constitution and fights for social justice in the digital age. We work to stop dangerous government surveillance, eliminate bias in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, and restrict the online collection and use of our personal data.

Race intersects with all critical social justice and civil rights issues. White supremacy predates the United States’ founding and continues to have devastating impacts. The ACLU of Northern California works to repair current and historic harms wrought by race-based segregation, discrimination, and deprivation of economic and other opportunities.

The ACLU of Northern California advocates for a California where the right to bodily autonomy is respected, personal decisions about reproduction are supported, and all families have the resources they need to thrive.

California faces a severe housing crisis, yet many jurisdictions criminalize unhoused people rather than addressing the root causes of homelessness. The ACLU of Northern California staunchly defends unhoused people’s right to exist in public spaces, free from harassment, citation, banishment, and other forms of discrimination.