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ACLU of Oregon and its Southern Oregon Chapter Ask Ashland to Amend Harsh Laws Targeting People Who Are Homeless (10/13/2008)
The Southern Oregon Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon calls upon the City of Ashland to amend its "Prohibited Camping" ordinance from one that punishes poverty and homelessness into one that prods the city to provide housing for the homeless.

Oregon Supreme Court Finds State's Harassment Statute Unconstitutional (08/14/2008)
The Oregon Supreme Court today echoed the arguments of the ACLU Foundation of Oregon in its decision to reverse a Court of Appeals decision involving the "abusive speech" provision of the state's harassment law.

Booksellers, Publishers, Librarians and Others Challenge Censorship Law (04/28/2008)
PORTLAND, Ore. - Should a grandmother have to risk being charged with a crime if she gives her 7-year-old grandson a copy of "It's Perfectly Normal," a sex education book widely regarded as among the best available?

ACLU Of Oregon Urges Appeals Court To Reject Patriot Act Search And Surveillance Provisions (03/17/2008)
PORTLAND, OR – The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon filed a friend-of-the-court brief today urging a federal appeals court to affirm a lower court’s decision to strike down two search and surveillance provisions of the Patriot Act as unconstitutional. The case was brought by Oregon lawyer Brandon Mayfield against the federal government after the FBI mistakenly linked him to the Madrid train bombings in 2004. The lower court found that secret searches of Mayfield’s house and office violated the Fourth Amendment’s guarantee against unreasonable search and seizure.

ACLU Letters Prompt Government Monitoring of Oregon-based Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Program (07/23/2007)
SALEM, OR - The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Oregon today asked the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) for copies of documents obtained through a state investigation into the possible misuse of taxpayer dollars to promote one faith over others in the abstinence-only-until-marriage program Stop and Think.

ACLU Asks Government to Investigate Evidence of Taxpayer Dollars Funding Religion in Oregon Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Program (05/03/2007)
SALEM, Ore. – The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Oregon today asked the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) to investigate evidence of misuse of taxpayer dollars to promote one faith over others in an abstinence-only-until-marriage program Stop and Think. The groups threatened to pursue legal action if HHS and DHS fail to take sufficient measures within the month.

Iowa Legislature Outlaws Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (04/26/2007)
DES MOINES – The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded the Iowa legislature for approving a bill outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill, which was approved earlier by the Iowa Senate, passed the Iowa House of Representatives late last night by a vote of 59-37. Governor Chet Culver has already said that he would sign the bill into law.

Oregon Students Challenge Unconstitutional Curfew in Lake Oswego (04/18/2007)
PORTLAND, OR -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon today filed a lawsuit in federal court on behalf of several Lake Oswego High School students, saying that the city’s curfew is unconstitutional.

ACLU Of Oregon Files Lawsuit Over Breakup of Demonstration During 2004 Bush Visit to Jacksonville (07/06/2006)
MEDFORD, OR -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon filed a class action lawsuit today against the U.S. Secret Service, the Oregon State Police, the Jackson County Sheriff and the Jacksonville Police Department, charging them with violating the constitutional rights of protesters when they forcibly broke up a peaceful demonstration in October 2004 during a visit to Jacksonville by President George W. Bush.

ACLU Launches Nationwide Action Against NSA Snooping on Americans’ Phone Calls (05/24/2006)
NEW YORK -- Responding to reports that phone companies are turning over private details about Americans’ telephone calls to the National Security Agency, the American Civil Liberties Union today launched a nationwide initiative to end illegal government spying.

ACLU Hails Supreme Court Rejection of Attorney General’s Meddling in End-of-Life Decisions (01/17/2006)
NEW YORK -- The American Civil Liberties Union today hailed the Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling respecting the right of mentally competent, terminally ill persons to make end-of-life decisions in consultation with their doctors, and rejecting the federal government's misguided effort to interfere with those decisions.

ACLU Urges Supreme Court to Reject Attorney General's Meddling in End-of-Life Decisions (10/05/2005)
NEW YORK - The American Civil Liberties Union today urged the Supreme Court to respect the right of mentally competent, terminally ill persons to make end-of-life decisions in consultation with their doctors, and to reject the federal government's misguided effort to interfere with those decisions.

ACLU Applauds Oregon Attorney General's Statement that Medical Marijuana Program Remains 100 Percent Legal (06/17/2005)
PORTLAND, OR - The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon expressed satisfaction that the state attorney general's office acknowledged today that Oregon's medical marijuana program remains in full force and effect despite the U.S. Supreme Court's decision last week in Gonzales v. Raich. The attorney general's opinion means that the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) must immediately resume issuance of medical marijuana registry identification cards to qualified applicants - a process that DHS had temporarily suspended pending the attorney general's review.

ACLU of Oregon Urges State Officials to Immediately Resume Medical Marijuana Card Program (06/09/2005)
PORTLAND, OR -- The American Civil Liberties of Oregon issued a letter today to the State Attorney General's office and the Department of Human Services urging the immediate resumption of the state's medical marijuana card program in compliance with state law.

Portland, Oregon to End Role in FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (04/22/2005)
PORTLAND, OR -- Citing the need for greater oversight of its own police officers, Mayor Tom Potter announced Friday that Portland will soon end its participation in the local FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. However, Potter and FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Robert Jordan said the two agencies would continue to cooperate in terrorism investigations and that the Mayor will be seeking secret clearance to allow him access to classified information.

ACLU and Basic Rights Oregon Undeterred After Oregon Supreme Court Delays Ruling on Issue of Fairness for Lesbian and Gay Couples (04/14/2005)
PORTLAND, OR -- The American Civil Liberties Union and Basic Rights Oregon today said they were disappointed but undeterred by the Oregon Supreme Court's decision to delay ruling on the underlying issue of fairness for same-sex couples in a lawsuit brought by the groups.

ACLU to Ask the Oregon Supreme Court to Provide Same-Sex Couples With Protections of Marriage (12/15/2004)
PORTLAND, OR - The American Civil Liberties Union will appear before the Oregon Supreme Court today to ask the court to rule that the Oregon Constitution requires that same-sex couples receive the same legal protections as couples that get married.

Oregon Joins Nationwide ACLU Effort to Expose Illegal FBI Spying on Political and Religious Groups (12/02/2004)
PORTLAND, OR - Citing evidence that the FBI and local police are illegally spying on political, environmental and faith-based groups elsewhere in the country, the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon today filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the Portland Division of the FBI that is designed to uncover whether political and religious spying is also occurring here in Oregon.

ACLU Files Lawsuit in Oregon Seeking Marriage Equality for Same-Sex Couples (03/24/2004)
PORTLAND, OR - The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit today challenging an Oregon law that discriminates against same-sex couples by denying them marriage and the rights and protections that come with it.

ACLU to Sue Oregon Officials Over Refusal to Recognize Same-Sex Marriages (03/19/2004)
PORTLAND, OR - The American Civil Liberties Union announced today that it plans to file a lawsuit next Wednesday against Oregon officials to require the state's recognition of the right of same-sex couples to marry.

A Second County in Oregon Votes to Issue Marriage Licenses to Same-Sex Couples; ACLU Urges Others to Do the Same (03/17/2004)
CORVALLIS, OR -- Following more than two-and-a-half 2 hours of public testimony yesterday, Benton County Commissioners voted to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 24.

ACLU and Basic Rights Oregon Applaud Multnomah County's Decision to Continue Issuing Marriage Licenses to Same-Sex Couples (03/15/2004)
PORTLAND, OR -- Multnomah County officials today courageously announced a decision to follow the Oregon constitution and continue issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, a move applauded by Basic Rights Oregon and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Marriage Licenses Continue for Same-Sex Couples in Oregon Despite False Reports of Court-Ordered Halt, ACLU Says (03/11/2004)
PORTLAND, OR - Contrary to a false report from the Alliance Defense Fund, which has financed challenges to Multnomah County's issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples, the court has not ordered a halt to the licenses, the American Civil Liberties Union today confirmed.

Basic Rights Oregon and ACLU Congratulate First Same-Sex Couples Married in Oregon (03/03/2004)
PORTLAND, OR - Today, same-sex couples were married in Portland by former Oregon Supreme Court Justice Betty Roberts following a decision by the Multnomah County Commissioners to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Basic Rights Oregon and the American Civil Liberties Union, which are advising the married couples, applauds the Commissioners for recognizing that the Oregon Constitution prevents them from discriminating against same-sex couples in marriage.

A League - and a Field - of their Own: ACLU Wins Equality for Girls' Softball League in Oregon (11/20/2003)
GRANTS PASS, OR- The American Civil Liberties Union today announced the settlement of a groundbreaking lawsuit that allows a girls' community softball team to have equal access to city playing fields. The agreement will provide a dedicated playing field for senior girls' softball in the city's main outdoor sports complex and enable the girls' league to host at least two tournaments annually.

Government is Illegally Using Evidence from Secret Court Wiretaps in Criminal Cases, ACLU Charges (09/19/2003)
PORTLAND, OR -The government is using its expanded wiretap powers under the PATRIOT Act to bypass the Fourth Amendment in criminal cases involving United States citizens, the American Civil Liberties Union said in a friend-of-the-court brief filed here today.

ACLU Says Detention of U.S. Citizen in Oregon Highlights Unnecessary Government Secrecy (04/08/2003)
PORTLAND, OR - The American Civil Liberties Union today criticized the U.S. Justice Department's continued refusal to release any information regarding the dozens of Muslim and Arab men detained on material witness warrants, some of whom are U.S. citizens like Mike Hawash, the Hillsboro man detained since March 20th.

ACLU of Oregon Criticizes Use of Material Witness Law to Detain U.S. Citizen (04/03/2003)
PORTLAND - The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon today criticized the U.S. Justice Department's use of the material witness statute to detain Maher "Mike" Hawash, a resident of nearby Hillsboro.

ACLU and City of Grants Pass, Oregon Reach Interim Settlement Agreement in Girls Softball Suit (05/01/2002)
Grants Pass, OR -- On April 22, 2002, the parties in Bellum v. Grants Pass, successfully mediated a resolution of the Spring/Summer 2002 field scheduling at the Grants Pass Riverside West All Sports Park. The mediation, which took place in Eugene, Oregon, was conducted with the assistance of United States Magistrate Judge Thomas M. Coffin. As well as resolving the plaintiffs' pending motions for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction affecting the park's spring and summer field scheduling, the parties agreed to promptly explore further mediation of the remaining issues in the case. At the conclusion of the mediation, Judge Coffin complimented the parties for their efforts in achieving this resolution for the 2002 season. Any further questions on this may be directed to the parties' respective legal counsel.

ACLU Applauds Federal Court Decision Upholding Oregon's Death with Dignity Law (04/17/2002)
PORTLAND, OR--The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon today applauded a federal court decision upholding Oregon's landmark Death with Dignity law. 

ACLU Seeks 'Level Playing Field' for City Sponsored Girls' Softball League in Oregon (04/04/2002)
GRANTS PASS, OR--Saying that local Recreation Department officials unfairly discriminate against girls' athletics, the American Civil Liberties Union today filed a lawsuit seeking an immediate court order that will give the girls' softball league equal access to playing fields before the new season gets underway. 

ACLU of Oregon Offers Free Attorneys to Targets of Justice Department "Dragnet" Investigation (11/30/2001)
PORTLAND, OR--The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon announced today that it has recruited more than 20 attorneys from around the state who have volunteered to represent without charge more than 200 individuals in the state who expect to be contacted for interviews as part of a Justice Department ""dragnet"" investigation. 

Civil Rights Groups Fight Eviction of Battered Women Under "Zero Tolerance" Housing Policy (07/10/2001)
PORTLAND, OR--In the first legal challenge of its kind, Legal Aid Services of Oregon and the Oregon Law Center, in coalition with national women's rights advocates, today joined a federal sex discrimination lawsuit challenging a property management company's policy of evicting victims of domestic violence from their homes.

Federal Court Victory Sets New Precedent on HIV Discrimination Against Health Care Workers (05/14/2001)
NEW YORK -- A federal court decision reinstating an Oregon ski patroller who was fired for refusing an HIV test will strengthen legal protections for health care workers and others whose employers overreact to remote risks of HIV infection, the American Civil Liberties Union said today. 

High School Volleyball Player Fights Urine Testing With Aid of Oregon ACLU (10/31/2000)
EUGENE -- A 15-year-old high school student and her parents are going to court today to challenge her removal from the Oakridge High School volleyball team for refusing to consent to random urinalysis drug testing, in case filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon.

Oregon ACLU Says Supreme Court Boy Scout Decision Won't Affect Portland School District Case (06/28/2000)
PORTLAND, OR -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon said today that the Supreme Court decision upholding sexual orientation discrimination by the Boy Scouts will not affect a pending ACLU challenge of Boy Scout recruitment practices in public schools here.

New Policy on Pepper Spray in Oregon (02/25/2000)
Eugene, OR -- To spray or not to spray? That is the question Eugene police officers will have to ask twice before taking aim with a can of pepper spray, the Register-Guard reported.

Free Teen Drug Tests In Oregon Worries ACLU (07/07/1999)
MOLALLA, OR -- In a move that has civil liberties advocates worried, a local police department is encouraging parents to bring in their children for free drug testing. The program, offered by the Molalla Police Department, is likely to be expanded to 10 other Oregon cities this year, the Oregonian reported today.