Open Government

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.

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The Brown Act and Open Meeting Rights

California has a law that guarantees us all the right to participate in public meetings of most local governing bodies.

Learn how to use the Brown Act to make your voice heard.

Know Your Rights
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The Latest

Press Release
A cell phone displaying Know Your Rights materials

DHS Withdraws Subpoena Seeking to Unmask Instagram Users Who Posted About ICE Raids

A Victory for the Public's Right to Document Government Actions Without Retaliation
Issue Areas: Free Speech, Immigrants' Rights, Open Government
Press Release
Photo of a police car at night.

ACLU Calls on Vallejo City Council to Authorize Independent Investigation of City Attorney’s Office in Wake of Serious Misconduct Allegations

Issue Areas: Open Government, Police Practices, Racial Justice
Press Release
U.S. soldiers wearing camouflage uniforms.

The ACLUs of California Statement on Ninth Circuit Decision Allowing Federalization of California National Guard 

Issue Areas: Free Speech, Open Government, Police Practices
Press Release
National guard members marching

California ACLUs Applaud State Leadership's Fight Against Federal Abuse of Power in the Deployment of the National Guard

Issue Areas: Free Speech, Open Government, Police Practices
Court Case
Jun 11, 2024

California Coalition for Women Prisoners v. US Federal Bureau of Prisons

In June of 2024, we filed a motion to unseal court records and preserve public access to hearings in the class action lawsuit that survivors of sexual assault at Federal Correctional Institution, Dublin brought against the federal Bureau of Prisons.
Court Case
Apr 23, 2024

ACLU SoCal v. City of Fresno

Action against the City of Fresno for its failure to provide records about police canine use of force, as required by the state’s Public Records Act.
Court Case
Apr 15, 2024

ACLU of Northern California v. CA Dept of State Hospitals

The ACLU Foundation of Northern California sued the California Department of State Hospitals for refusing to provide public records about severely mentally ill individuals who died in jail, while waiting to get treatment at a state facility. At least 35 people died in one five year period alone. DSH claimed it did not keep track of the in-custody deaths of people on its waitlist.
Court Case
Nov 15, 2023

American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California and First Amendment Coalition v. City of Fresno (Public meetings law)