Cases - ACLU of DC

Court Case

Apr 16, 2025

Court Case

Apr 16, 2025

Freedom of Speech and Association

Mahoney v. U.S. Capitol Police Board – Defending Courts’ Authority To Enjoin a Law that Facially Violates the First Amendment

Court Case

Mar 26, 2025

Court Case

Mar 26, 2025

Equal Protection and Discrimination|
+4 Issues

STAINNAK V. TRUMP – CHALLENGING PURGE OF DEI-ASSOCIATED FEDERAL WORKERS AS DISCRIMINATORY AND RETALIATORY FOR PERCEIVED POLITICAL BELIEFS

Federal employees filed a complaint against the Trump administration for targeting workers, especially people of color, women, and non-binary workers, for participating in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities, violating their First Amendment rights.

Court Case

Apr 24, 2024

Court Case

Apr 24, 2024

Freedom of Speech and Association

Arab Student Union of Jackson-Reed High School v. District of Columbia - Challenging suppression of pro-Palestinian student speech

The Arab Student Union’s activities would not be disruptive; they are the same kinds of activities in which other student clubs engage. Their speech has been suppressed because the school does not want their viewpoint to be heard.

Court Case

Dec 12, 2023

Court Case

Dec 12, 2023

Freedom of Speech and Association

WALLBUILDERS V. WMATA – CHALLENGING METRO POLICY OF BANNING CONTROVERSIAL ADVERTISEMENTS

In this case, we argue that WMATA’s advertising guidelines violate the First Amendment, which prohibits government agencies from discriminating against private speech based on its viewpoint or from applying rules that so vague they can’t be applied consistently.

Court Case

Nov 13, 2023

Court Case

Nov 13, 2023

Freedom of Speech and Association

Banks v. Hoffman - Advocating for robust protection against lawsuits used to chill speech

In December of 2010, the D.C. Council passed, with our support, an Anti-SLAPP Act that provides a special procedure for people engaged in advocacy on public interest issues to have a court dismiss SLAPP suits quickly.

Court Case

Oct 25, 2023

Court Case

Oct 25, 2023

Freedom of Speech and Association

United States v. Trump (challenging vague and broad gag order against criminal defendant

Court Case

Sep 07, 2023

Court Case

Sep 07, 2023

Freedom of Speech and Association|
+1 Issue

Molina v. Book – Advancing the right to observe police, and challenging qualified immunity doctrine, which shields officials from constitutional accountability

In 2015, police officers shot tear gas at two legal observers with bright green "Legal Observer" hats. The court ruled that words printed on clothing are not entitled to First Amendment protections. Together with the National ACLU and the ACLU of Missouri, we petitioned SCOTUS to review the case.

Court Case

Mar 22, 2023

Court Case

Mar 22, 2023

Equal Protection and Discrimination|
+1 Issue

SONMEZ V. WASHINGTON POST – IS AN EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION CLAIM AGAINST A NEWSPAPER A SLAPP?

Court Case

Nov 04, 2021

Court Case

Nov 04, 2021

Police Practices and Police Misconduct|
+2 Issues

Court Cases

All Cases

Mahoney v. U.S. Capitol Police Board – Defending Courts’ Authority To Enjoin a Law that Facially Violates the First Amendment

STAINNAK V. TRUMP – CHALLENGING PURGE OF DEI-ASSOCIATED FEDERAL WORKERS AS DISCRIMINATORY AND RETALIATORY FOR PERCEIVED POLITICAL BELIEFS

Arab Student Union of Jackson-Reed High School v. District of Columbia - Challenging suppression of pro-Palestinian student speech

WALLBUILDERS V. WMATA – CHALLENGING METRO POLICY OF BANNING CONTROVERSIAL ADVERTISEMENTS

Banks v. Hoffman - Advocating for robust protection against lawsuits used to chill speech

United States v. Trump (challenging vague and broad gag order against criminal defendant

Molina v. Book – Advancing the right to observe police, and challenging qualified immunity doctrine, which shields officials from constitutional accountability

SONMEZ V. WASHINGTON POST – IS AN EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION CLAIM AGAINST A NEWSPAPER A SLAPP?

Cameron v. District of Columbia – Challenging Practice of Needlessly Retaining Arrested Individuals' Cell Phones for Months or Years Without Process

Mahoney v. U.S. Capitol Police Board – Defending Courts’ Authority To Enjoin a Law that Facially Violates the First Amendment

STAINNAK V. TRUMP – CHALLENGING PURGE OF DEI-ASSOCIATED FEDERAL WORKERS AS DISCRIMINATORY AND RETALIATORY FOR PERCEIVED POLITICAL BELIEFS

Arab Student Union of Jackson-Reed High School v. District of Columbia - Challenging suppression of pro-Palestinian student speech

WALLBUILDERS V. WMATA – CHALLENGING METRO POLICY OF BANNING CONTROVERSIAL ADVERTISEMENTS

Banks v. Hoffman - Advocating for robust protection against lawsuits used to chill speech

United States v. Trump (challenging vague and broad gag order against criminal defendant

Molina v. Book – Advancing the right to observe police, and challenging qualified immunity doctrine, which shields officials from constitutional accountability

SONMEZ V. WASHINGTON POST – IS AN EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION CLAIM AGAINST A NEWSPAPER A SLAPP?

Cameron v. District of Columbia – Challenging Practice of Needlessly Retaining Arrested Individuals' Cell Phones for Months or Years Without Process

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