Friend –

The ACLU of Northern California is actively monitoring campus protests and university responses in our region. This week, our attorneys visited UC Berkeley and Stanford, where peaceful protests are ongoing. On Monday, I visited Cal Poly Humboldt to see firsthand the protest activity there and to hear the personal stories of those involved. Events escalated that evening when over 100 officers arrived on campus and made widespread arrests.

During times like these, several fundamental protections come to the forefront. First, there's the right to freedom of expression and assembly enshrined in the United States and California Constitutions. Second, there's the right to be free from unreasonable and excessive force and punishment at the hands of law enforcement. And third, there's the core principle that these rights apply universally, irrespective of one's viewpoint, race, ethnicity, or religion. Of course, these protections only survive if we have other fundamental guarantees in place: a free press on the ground, access to legal counsel, and due process.

Since its founding 90 years ago, in 1934, the ACLU of Northern California has consistently prioritized defending the right to free speech and free assembly, including the right to peaceful protest. We are now working especially hard to make sure that the public understands where the lines fall between activity protected by the First Amendment, civil disobedience, and other types of conduct.

We encourage our members, supporters, students, and the public to review our Know Your Rights page on free speech at protests and demonstrations, and to contact our legal intake line if you believe that your rights are being violated.

Please also follow our Instagram, Facebook, and X accounts for updates and other information.

Thanks for sticking with us,

Abdi Soltani
Executive Director, ACLU of Northern California