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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Access to California Police Records

California law gives the public the right to see certain records relating to police misconduct and serious uses of force. You can now request these records under the Public Records Act — a law that gives the public the right to see the non-confidential documents of our state and local government agencies.

Learn More

The Latest

Press Release
Photo of a person recording cell phone video of a protest.

The MacArthur Justice Center and the ACLU Demand Transparency About DHS Agents’ Pattern of Targeting People Who Film Them

The advocacy organizations filed suit to enforce a FOIA request sent late last year that the agencies have failed to respond to
Issue Areas: Privacy and Technology, Open Government, Free Speech
Court Cases: ACLU v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, et al.
Press Release
Scales of Justice overlaid on the State of California

Court Rules Fresno City Council Violated Open Meetings Law By Conducting Budget Deliberations in Secret

Violations occurred for years, without public notice or the opportunity for residents to attend or participate
Issue Areas: Open Government
Court Cases: American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California and First Amendment Coalition v. City of Fresno (Public meetings law)
Press Release
papers in an open filing cabinet

ACLU Renews Call for Transparent Investigation of Alleged Misconduct by Vallejo City Attorney 

Issue Areas: Police Practices, Open Government
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
Court Case
June 10, 2026

ACLU v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, et al.

In November 2025, the ACLU and the ACLU of Northern California filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking transparency about the Department of Homeland Security’s policies and practices related to people filming immigration and law enforcement activity.
Court Case
June 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
April 23, 2024

ACLU of Southern California 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
April 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.