News & Commentary

We're supporting an effort to ensure that all Californians, regardless of their financial status, have a transcript of their civil case proceedings — without which they have no real chance of mounting a successful appeal.

California applies the death penalty disproportionately to people of color, especially when the victim is white. A recent, rigorous statewide study found that Black people are up to 8.7 times as likely to be sentenced to death as similarly situated non-Black defendants, Latino people are up to 6.2 times as likely to be sentenced to death, and defendants of all races are up to 8.8 times as likely to be condemned to death when at least one of the victims in the case is white.

Alameda County is set to choose a new district attorney to replace Pamela Price. The next top prosecutor must commit to promoting equal justice and safety for all

On the brink of a second Trump administration, we stand ready to protect fundamental rights under federal and state law – and the Constitution

The results of the November 2024 election — at both the federal and state levels — compel us to look ahead with clear eyes and strong resolve to protect civil liberties and civil rights. We balance our sober understanding of the threats ahead with our enduring commitment to a vision of the United States and its Constitution that respects the rights of all persons. 

The ACLU Foundation of Northern California and Public Justice intervened to unseal records records related to decades of sexual abuse at a federal prison in Dublin. If the Bureau of Prisons is to be held accountable, there must be full and complete transparency as the cases against it proceed.

With so much at stake in this election, the ACLU has launched its most comprehensive voting rights protection and voter education programs in the organization's history. We're prepared to defend civil rights and civil liberties no matter who wins in November.