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ACLU Challenges Government's Authority To Designate Charities As Terrorists Without Due Process Or Court Oversight (11/21/2008)
TOLEDO, OH – A federal court should block the government from blacklisting an Ohio-based charity without providing it due process and should lift a freeze on the organization's assets, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Ohio and several civil rights lawyers argued today. The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) froze the funds of KindHearts for Charitable Humanitarian Development, Inc. more than 33 months ago without notice or a hearing, based simply on the assertion that the charity was "under investigation." OFAC then threatened to designate KindHearts as a "specially designated global terrorist" (SDGT) based on classified evidence, again without providing it with a reason or meaningful opportunity to defend itself.

Inspector General's Findings on 'Joe the Plumber' Case Show State Needs Immediate Reform (11/19/2008)
CLEVELAND- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio pointed to findings released today by Ohio's inspector general as evidence that Governor Ted Strickland must take immediate action to mandate state agencies implement privacy protections. The inspector general found that Ohio Department of Job & Family Services Director Helen Jones-Kelly had no reason to search the records of Joseph Wurzelbacher, also known as "Joe the Plumber. Ms. Jones Kelly also stated that such searches of those in news headlines were common protocol for the office. News reports indicated that nearly a half dozen other state agencies conducted searches on Mr. Wurzelbacher's information without due cause.

ACLU Urges Attorney General To Reject White House Challenge Of 200,000 Registered Voters In Ohio (10/28/2008)
WASHINGTON – In a letter to Attorney General Michael Mukasey today, the American Civil Liberties Union demanded the Department of Justice (DOJ) reject a White House request to challenge 200,000 registered voters in Ohio. The White House's request came days after the U.S. Supreme Court denied an attempt by Ohio Republicans to challenge voters with discrepancies between the information on their registration forms and other government databases. There is considerable evidence showing these databases are fraught with errors that could lead to the wrongful disfranchisement of thousands of lawful voters.

Voting Rights Groups Warn Prosecutors About Investigating Ohio Voters (10/21/2008)
CINCINNATI – The American Civil Liberties Union and other voting rights groups sent a letter to Hamilton County Special Prosecutor Michael O'Neill today urging him to suspend investigations of voters where there is no specific, credible evidence of fraud. According to news reports, Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Deters began an investigation into voters who took advantage of Ohio's five-day window in which a person may simultaneously register to vote and cast a ballot. Deters declined to give any specific evidence of voter fraud that would have triggered an investigation and local elections officials confirmed they received no reliable reports of voter fraud.

U.S. Supreme Court Protects Newly Registered Ohioans' Voting Rights (10/17/2008)
WASHINGTON – In a major victory for voting rights, the U.S. Supreme Court today issued an order protecting voters in Ohio from attempts to challenge their registrations based on small inaccuracies in government databases. The order reverses an appeals court decision that required Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner to provide all 88 county Boards of Elections with lists of mismatched voters that had discrepancies between the information on their registration forms and other government databases. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a friend-of-the-court brief early this morning in support of Brunner's position.

ACLU Demands Halt To Intimidation Of Lawful Voters (10/16/2008)
CLEVELAND – In order to protect the integrity of Ohio's elections, the American Civil Liberties Union today called on the Ohio Republican Party to stop intimidating lawful voters. On Wednesday, the party asked all of the state's 88 county Boards of Elections to hand over information about all newly registered voters and those who have legally registered and cast an absentee ballot on the same day. These records will likely be used to challenge innocent voters, according to the ACLU.

ACLU Challenges Threat By Government To Designate Charity As "Terrorist" (10/09/2008)
TOLEDO, OH – The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Ohio and several civil rights lawyers today asked a federal court to block the government from blacklisting an Ohio-based charity, KindHearts for Charitable Humanitarian Development, Inc., without due process. The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) froze the group's assets more than 31 months ago, without notice or a hearing, based simply on the assertion that KindHearts was "under investigation." OFAC has since threatened to designate KindHearts as a "specially designated global terrorist" based on classified evidence, again without providing KindHearts with a reason or meaningful opportunity to defend itself.

Court Blocks Government From Designating Charity As "Terrorist" (10/09/2008)
TOLEDO, OH – A federal judge today blocked the government from blacklisting an Ohio-based charity, KindHearts for Charitable Humanitarian Development, Inc., without further judicial review. In response to a request filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Ohio and several civil rights lawyers on behalf of KindHearts, Judge James G. Carr of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio Western Division blocked the government from designating the organization as a specially designated global terrorist "without first affording KindHearts with constitutionally adequate process," including notice and a meaningful opportunity to contest the basis for such a designation.

ACLU Asks Court To Allow Rejected Absentee Ballot Applications (10/02/2008)
COLUMBUS, OH – The American Civil Liberties Union and the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law filed a friend-of-the-court brief today asking the Ohio Supreme Court to protect voters' rights and allow rejected absentee ballot applications to be processed. The lawsuit was brought by two Hamilton County voters who completed absentee ballot request forms that were rejected because of an unchecked box.

Ohio Courts Protect Voters' Access To Absentee Ballots (09/29/2008)
CLEVELAND – In an overwhelming victory for voting rights, two different Ohio courts today ruled that counties cannot deny absentee ballots to newly registered voters in violation of directives issued by Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner. Last week, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit and two friend-of-the-court briefs challenging efforts to prevent new voters from casting absentee ballots.

ACLU Asks Court To Allow All Ohio Registered Voters Access To Absentee Ballots (09/25/2008)
CLEVELAND – The American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit late yesterday challenging an Ohio county that is denying absentee ballots to newly registered voters in violation of directives issued by Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio on behalf of the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH), 1Matters, Project Vote and two individual voters.

ACLU of Ohio Applauds Statement by County Elections Officials (01/24/2008)
CLEVELAND - Today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio renewed its call for Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and Cuyahoga County Board of Elections officials to heed the advice of the state’s top organization for election officials and reverse their decision to switch to voting technology that does not alert voters to errors on ballots.

ACLU Challenges Ohio’s Unequal Voting Technology in Federal Court (01/17/2008)
CLEVELAND – The American Civil Liberties Union and ACLU of Ohio filed a lawsuit against state election officials in federal court today challenging the use of unequal, inaccurate and inadequate voting technology in Ohio’s most populous county. Today’s legal action seeks to block Cuyahoga County’s recent shift from using electronic voting machines to a system that lacks the ability to provide voters with notice of balloting errors and an opportunity to correct such mistakes. According to the ACLU, the use of this new system violates the Constitution’s Fourteenth Amendment as well as the Voting Rights Act.

ACLU of Ohio Says Hasty Election Changes May Disenfranchise Voters (12/17/2007)
CLEVELAND – The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today cautioned election officials that making drastic changes to voting technologies could inadvertently disenfranchise Ohio voters in the upcoming 2008 elections. Earlier this month, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner issued a report outlining some of the security shortcomings of Ohio's voting systems. In addition, Brunner issued specific recommendations that the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections adopt central count optical scan technology in place of its current system.

ACLU of Ohio Tells School Officials to Stop Forcing Students to Turn Over Cell Phones (11/27/2007)
MASON, OH – In a letter today to Dr. David Allen, principal at William Mason High School, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio warned school officials that their current practice of seizing student cell phones and reading personal text messages was poor policy and unconstitutional. Recently, the ACLU of Ohio received complaints from students and parents at the school because several administrators began confiscating phones and reading private text messages to determine if the students attended private parties off school grounds during the weekend.

ACLU of Ohio Launches Teen Health Publication in Spanish (11/26/2007)
CLEVELAND- Today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio unveiled its new Spanish guide on teen health, “Tu Salud y La Ley: Una Guía para Adolescentes.” A translated and updated version of, “Your Health and the Law: A Guide for Teens,” this booklet provides insight into both Ohio and federal laws regarding teen health care with the adolescent reader in mind.

University Officials Trample Free Speech (11/02/2007)
OXFORD, OH – The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio expressed concern Friday over the reaction of officials at Miami University to a student art display. The art piece, created by a group of students, was intended to symbolize the Tree of Life and featured a tire swing and seven ropes. The display stood for several hours until police were called and removed it because it was deemed controversial. Following the removal of the display, university officials and police have threatened action against the students involved.

ACLU of Ohio Calls for Immediate Halt to Executions (05/24/2007)
LUCASVILLE, OH - The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today called for an immediate halt to all executions in light of Ohio's second botched execution in two years.

ACLU of Ohio Applauds Governor for Signing Order Providing Equality for all State Employees (05/17/2007)
COLUMBUS, OH – The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today applauded Governor Ted Strickland for signing an executive order that protects Ohioans working for the state government from job discrimination based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. This executive order marks the first time gender identity discrimination has been banned by an Ohio governor and restores an earlier order by former Governor Richard Celeste banning sexual orientation discrimination.

Groups Launch Campaign to Ensure That Ohio Youth Have Access to Lawyers (04/18/2007)
COLUMBUS, OH - As the Supreme Court of Ohio today heard arguments on protecting children’s right to counsel, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Ohio, the Children’s Law Center and the Office of the Ohio Public Defender announced a statewide campaign to inform young people of their rights.

ACLU of Ohio Demands Department of Justice Investigate Deaths at Butler County Jail (04/10/2007)
HAMILTON, OH - The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice and Butler County Commissioners urging them to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into a string of suicides at the Butler County Jail. On Sunday, Timothy James Hughes, 19, was found dead in his cell after committing suicide, making him the fourth inmate at Butler County Jail to die in similar circumstances in under a year.

Court Must Protect Americans from President’s Unchecked Spying, ACLU Argues (01/31/2007)
CINCINNATI - At a federal appeals court hearing today, the American Civil Liberties Union will argue that the president broke the law by authorizing the National Security Agency to engage in warrantless surveillance of Americans. The ACLU is urging the appeals court to uphold a lower court order that would prevent the NSA from resuming the illegal program.

Details of Ohio Sheriff's Immigration Deal Should Be Public, ACLU Says (12/14/2006)
HAMILTON, OH - The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed public records requests to uncover details of an agreement between federal immigration officials and Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones that grants local police some authority to enforce federal immigration law.

Toledo Sign Law Restricts Free Speech, Says ACLU of Ohio (12/12/2006)
TOLEDO, OH - The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio sent a letter today urging Toledo city officials to abandon attempts to cite resident Jeffrey Nelson for displaying four anti-war signs in his front yard. Nelson received a notice from the city's Division of Building Inspection on December 2, 2006 stating that he must remove his signs within 24 hours or risk incurring a fine.

ACLU Urges Ohio Supreme Court to Restore Fair Trials (10/24/2006)
COLUMBUS, OH -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today called on the state Supreme Court to revise Ohio’s rules for criminal prosecutions to ensure that persons accused of crimes will have timely access to the evidence against them. Currently, the law permits the state to conceal some evidence, which the ACLU says sets up an unfair system of “trial by ambush.”

Voters Seek Stronger Role for Congress in Checking President's Actions, Poll Shows (10/10/2006)
NEW YORK- Voters in four key states want to see Congress take a stronger role in providing checks and balances to the President's actions in fighting terrorism, and voice a strong preference for House and Senate candidates who will oppose the President's policies on the treatment of Guantánamo detainees, the use of torture and extraordinary rendition of detainees as well as secret searches of the private records of Americans.

ACLU Victorious in First Challenge to Ohio Patriot Act (09/13/2006)
COLUMBUS, OH -- Today, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that attorneys seeking to represent indigent clients are no longer required to sign documents swearing that they are not terrorists and have no involvement with terrorist groups. The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio had challenged the provision, which is part of the Ohio Patriot Act, calling the requirement unnecessary red tape that will do nothing to prevent terrorism.

ACLU of Ohio Calls on Police and Local Communities to Stop Profiling (08/15/2006)
MARIETTA, OH - The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today cautioned law enforcement officials and local communities against allowing fears of terrorism to justify ethnic and racial profiling. The statement comes after a week of speculation that two Lebanese-American men arrested in Marietta may have been involved in terrorism because of “suspicious” activities. Yesterday, both men were cleared of all terrorism charges.

ACLU of Ohio Files First Lawsuit Challenging State’s Patriot Act (07/10/2006)
COLUMBUS, OH - The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed its first challenge to the much-maligned Ohio Patriot Act with the Ohio Supreme Court. The lawsuit, which specifically disputes a requirement forcing lawyers who act as public defenders to sign a statement certifying they are not terrorists, is only the first round of litigation challenging the many dangerous sections of the Act, the ACLU said.

ACLU of Ohio Calls for Thorough Investigation into County Jail After Two Deaths (06/27/2006)
HAMILTON, OH -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today sent a letter to the Department of Justice and Butler County Commissioners urging them to conduct a thorough and extensive investigation into the apparent suicides of two inmates in the Butler County Jail.

Ohio ACLU Wins State Supreme Court Ruling on Death Penalty Eligibility (06/01/2006)
COLUMBUS, OH – The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today welcomed a landmark ruling by the Ohio Supreme Court saying that a jury cannot discount the background of a defendant when it decides whether to use the death penalty. In the case of State v. Tenace, the Court for the first time reversed a death sentence based on the extraordinarily troubled life of the defendant.

ACLU of Ohio Encouraged by Lawmakers’ Approval of State DNA Testing Bill (05/18/2006)
COLUMBUS, OH -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today said it was pleased by the passage of State Senate Bill 262 by the Ohio House, which extends the window of opportunity for convicted criminals to petition the state to test DNA evidence to prove their innocence. The bill received widespread support from criminal justice advocates, law enforcement and various legislators.

ACLU of Ohio Calls on Officials to Stop Turning Voters Away at Polls (05/02/2006)
CLEVELAND -- Following widespread reports of people unable to vote throughout the state, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today called for immediate attention to voters who are disenfranchised because of non-functioning machines, uninformed poll workers, disorganization in the voting precincts or by being turned away from the polls.

ACLU of Ohio Successfully Defends Student’s Free Speech (04/27/2006)
HOLLAND, OH -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today applauded a decision by the Springfield School Board to reinstate eighth-grade student Jessica Schoch. Schoch was not allowed to attend school or participate in extracurricular activities after school officials discovered a MySpace.com profile that parodied a school administrator.

ACLU of Ohio Defends High School Student Expelled Over Parody Profile on MySpace.com (04/25/2006)
HOLLAND, OH- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio said today that it will defend the free speech rights of a student who was expelled for posting a spoof profile on MySpace.com, an online social networking site used mostly by teenagers and young adults.

ACLU Victorious in Challenge to Ohio’s Punch-Card Ballots (04/21/2006)
CLEVELAND, OH - The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio and the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project announced victory today in a constitutional challenge to Ohio’s use of punch-card ballot voting technology.

Ohio’s Proposed Immigration Plan Will Disadvantage Community (03/07/2006)
COLUMBUS, OH- Today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio warned legislators that a new plan to exclude immigrants from the census proposed by a group of Ohio lawmakers would harm communities and stretch scarce services for all Ohio families by not getting an accurate count of all those residing in the area.

ACLU of Ohio Demands Schools Stop Teaching Intelligent Design as Science (02/14/2006)
TOLEDO, OH -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today sent a letter to the Toledo Public Schools demanding that they cease allowing staff to teach intelligent design in science classrooms throughout the district.

ACLU of Ohio Files Lawsuit Over School’s Strip Searches of Teenage Girls (02/02/2006)
COLUMBUS, OH - The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court on behalf of eight students who were illegally searched by staff at the Vern Riffe Career Technology Center on January 20, 2006. The lawsuit names the school district, the superintendent and three staff members as defendants. In all, 20 students were searched.

ACLU of Ohio Launches Investigation into Defense Department Spying on Quakers and Peace Activists (01/26/2006)
CLEVELAND- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today said that it is investigating documented spying by the Department of Defense on two Northeast Ohio peace groups.

ACLU Says Ohio's Anti-Terror Tip Program May Increase Profiling, Violate Privacy (01/25/2006)
COLUMBUS, OH -- The American Civil Liberties Union today expressed deep concerns with the Ohio Department of Public Safety's new initiative, "See Something, Say Something," which encourages residents to call a toll free line if they witness something they believe is "suspicious."

Following Thefts of Student Social Security Numbers, ACLU Launches Investigation Into Kent State University's Privacy Policy (10/17/2005)
KENT, OH - After two separate incidents in which computers containing the Social Security Numbers of more than 100,000 students and faculty at Kent State University were stolen, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today sent a letter and public records request to university officials seeking information about the incidents.

Supreme Court's Decision Upholds Prisoners' Due Process Protections, But Limits Their Reach (06/13/2005)
WASHINGTON -- The American Civil Liberties Union applauded the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling today that the extreme deprivation and punishment found in ""supermax"" prisons warrant protections for prisoners' due process rights, but the group expressed disappointment that more extensive protections were rejected.

ACLU Exposes Censorship at High Schools in Ohio and Missouri (04/06/2005)
NEW YORK -- The American Civil Liberties Union today took on schools in two different states for violating the First Amendment rights of students who wish to wear t-shirts expressing their support for gay rights issues.

ACLU and Center for Constitutional Rights Argue Prison Rights Case Before U.S. Supreme Court (03/30/2005)
""This case presents the same issue as the Guantanamo cases decided last spring,"" said Staughton Lynd, an ACLU of Ohio volunteer attorney and trial counsel in Austin. ""What due process is required before indefinite solitary confinement can be imposed on any human being?""

ACLU of Ohio Lambastes Ohio Republican Party and Secretary of State Over Voter 'Challengers' (10/29/2004)
CLEVELAND - The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today strongly condemnation the Secretary of State and the Ohio Republican Party's attempts to place so-called "challengers" at polling places in predominantly African American precincts on Election Day.

ACLU of Ohio Urges Voters to Refuse to be Turned Away on Election Day (10/25/2004)
CLEVELAND - The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio kicked off a statewide ""Refuse to Leave"" advertising campaign today urging voters who are prevented by poll workers from voting for any reason to cast provisional ballots before leaving polling places.

ACLU of Ohio Will Defend GOP Chairman in Political Yard Sign Case (10/14/2004)
CLEVELAND -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio announced today that it will represent Summit County's Republican Party Chairman Alex Arshinkoff and his wife in their battle with the city of Hudson over a 4x8-foot Bush-Cheney campaign sign currently posted in their front yard.

Appeals Court Rules in Favor of ACLU of Ohio in Voting Rights Case (09/27/2004)
CINCINNATI - In a victory for the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, a federal appeals court today ruled that Gov. Robert Taft violated the voting rights of Ohioans when he refused to hold a special election to fill the seat vacated by Rep. James Traficant after he was expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives.

ACLU of Ohio Tells City Officials Their Political Sign Ordinances Unnecessarily Restrict Free Speech (09/08/2004)
CLEVELAND- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today sent demand letters to city officials in Fairlawn and Kent regarding their political yard sign ordinances.

ACLU of Ohio Demands Cancellation of Government-Sponsored "Faith-Based" Concert (08/16/2004)
CLEVELAND - In a letter submitted today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio called on Franklin County Children Services to cancel a government-sponsored "faith-based" gospel concert scheduled for August 21, 2004.

Trial Begins Today in ACLU's Historic Challenge to Ohio's "Hanging Chad" Punch Cards (07/26/2004)
CLEVELAND - In the first case of its kind to go to trial, a federal court in Ohio will hear arguments starting today in the American Civil Liberties Union's challenge to use of the infamous ""hanging chad"" punch card machines and other inadequate voting technologies in the upcoming election.

ACLU of Ohio Victorious in Another Ten Commandments Case (07/14/2004)
CLEVELAND -- In a case brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, an appeals court today affirmed a lower court ruling that a public courtroom display of the Ten Commandments is an unconstitutional government endorsement of religion.

Jeffrey Gamso Named Legal Director of ACLU of Ohio (06/02/2004)
CLEVELAND - Toledo defense attorney Jeffrey Gamso has been named Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, the ACLU announced today. Gamso, previously an ACLU of Ohio volunteer attorney, assumed leadership of the agency's statewide legal department and litigation docket on June 1st.

ACLU of Ohio Urges School to Rescind Punishment for Student Who Criticized School in Off-Campus Postings (05/06/2004)
CLEVELAND -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today sent a letter to Lancaster City Schools' Interim Superintendent on behalf of the family of a student who was suspended and is currently being expelled for creating a website that skewers school administrators and staff. The website was created and maintained off school grounds, using no school resources.

Court Reverses Ohio Man's 11-Year Prison Term for Sexually Explicit Diary (03/05/2004)
COLUMBUS, OH - A Franklin County Common Pleas Court yesterday dismissed charges against a man who had been sentenced to 11 years in prison for recording fantasies of child molestation in a secret journal. The conviction of Brian Dalton in 2001 gained international attention as the first time in memory that an American had been sentenced to prison over the content of his private diary.

ACLU Seeks Answers from Ohio Attorney General About MATRIX Data-Mining Program (02/19/2004)
CLEVELAND -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio said today that it wants answers from the state Attorney General about Ohio's participation in the controversial "MATRIX" database surveillance system.

ACLU of Ohio Initiates Investigation into Secret Meetings of Cleveland School Board (02/12/2004)
CLEVELAND--The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today sent public records requests to Cleveland School Board officials to investigate recent claims that school Board members have been conducting official business in private, in a potential violation of Ohio's Sunshine Laws.

Citing First Amendment, ACLU of Ohio Urges Local Officials to Revise Political Sign Ordinance (02/10/2004)
CLEVELAND - Saying that the city of Willowick's requirements regarding political signage violate residents' free speech rights, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today urged officials to revise its sign ordinance to comply with constitutional standards.

ACLU Blasts Ohio Correction Center for Refusing to Administer HIV Medication to Inmate (01/16/2004)
COLUMBUS, OH - The Franklin County Correction Center is refusing to administer time-sensitive HIV medication to an inmate serving time in the facility, ignoring a letter sent by the American Civil Liberties Union informing administrators at the facility of the inmate's condition and need for the medication, the ACLU said today.

ACLU of Ohio Settles First Amendment Lawsuit Against City of Cleveland (01/15/2004)
CLEVELAND-- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today announced a settlement in its First Amendment lawsuit against the City of Cleveland filed on behalf of three African American police officers and the African American Supervisors Association.

ACLU Decries Court Decision Upholding Ohio Abortion Procedures Ban, Says Law Significantly Different from Federal Ban (12/17/2003)
CINCINNATI -The American Civil Liberties Union is troubled by today's decision by a federal appeals court upholding Ohio's ban on so-called ""partial-birth abortion."" Though the law differs significantly from the federal ban, the law still endangers women's health, taking critical medical decisions out of the hands of doctors.

ACLU Sues Cleveland Officials, Police Department Over Officer Gag Order, African American Supervisors Were Threatened for Criticizing Placement Scheme (10/09/2003)
CLEVELAND -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of three African American police supervisors who were threatened with discipline for publicly criticizing police deployment practices.

ACLU Sues Ohio Officials to Expose Hidden Procedures in Execution of Death Row Inmates (09/25/2003)
CLEVELAND -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against state officials over the way in which executions are performed by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections.

ACLU of Ohio Sues Parma Heights Officials for Attempting to Silence Critics During Memorial Day Parade (08/26/2003)
CLEVELAND - The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed a federal lawsuit against officials in Parma Heights who threatened to arrest residents who were distributing leaflets critical of the Mayor and stopped a city councilman and his daughter from wearing shirts supporting his candidacy during a Memorial Day parade.

Ohio Appeals Court Overturns First-Ever Conviction for Writings in Private Diary (07/17/2003)
COLUMBUS, OH -- A state appeals court today reversed the conviction of Brian Dalton, who had been sentenced to 11 years in prison for recording fantasies of child molestation in a secret journal. The conviction gained international attention as the first time that an American had been sentenced to prison over the content of his private diary.

ACLU of Ohio Defends State Supreme Court Justice's Free Speech Rights in Lawsuit Over Election Campaign (06/04/2003)
CLEVELAND --The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed legal papers defending Ohio Supreme Court Justice Maureen O'Connor against ethical charges stemming from her 2002 judicial election campaign.

ACLU of Ohio and Community Leaders Name Members to Key Boards Set Up Through Landmark Settlement with Police (05/01/2003)
CINCINNATI -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio and community leaders here today announced the names of individuals who will serve on a Community Advisory Board and a Community Police Partnering Center Board that were formed through the settlement of a landmark racial profiling lawsuit.

ACLU of Ohio Seeks Compliance from School District to Remove Ten Commandments Display from Four High Schools (04/03/2003)
CINCINNATI--Saying that a school district has continued to defy a federal court order issued last year to remove displays of the Ten Commandments from four high schools, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed a motion in federal court seeking a contempt order and the district's compliance.

At ACLU Urging, Cleveland INS Allows Foreign Citizens to Bring Attorneys to Special Registrations (12/13/2002)
CLEVELAND -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today praised the decision of the Cleveland office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service not to deny the right to counsel to foreign citizens called in for questioning during the next few weeks.

ACLU of Ohio Sues State for Violating African Americans' Voting Rights (10/11/2002)
CINCINNATI--Saying that African-American voters in certain Ohio counties are more likely to have their ballots invalidated and discarded than white voters, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed a federal class action lawsuit against the state for violating the voting rights of its minority residents.

ACLU of Ohio Helps Parents Who Were Banned From Petitioning On or Near School Property (10/04/2002)
CLEVELAND--The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today asked a trial court judge to modify an overly broad restriction on a teachers union picketing on or near school grounds which has swept up parents seeking to circulate a petition on an unrelated matter.

Federal Appeals Court Refuses to Resurrect Cincinnati Drug Zone Law (09/26/2002)
CINCINNATI--In affirming a lower court decision to invalidate a Cincinnati drug law, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit today for the first time recognized an individual's constitutional right to travel freely.

Ohio Appeals Court Says Ten Commandments Display Must Be Removed from County Court (06/20/2002)
CLEVELAND-In a briefly worded decision, a federal appeals court in Cincinnati today declined to interfere with an order that requires a Richland County Common Pleas judge to remove a poster of the Ten Commandments from a wall in his courtroom. 

ACLU of Ohio Wins Second Ten Commandments Case in One Week (06/14/2002)
CLEVELAND-For the second time this week, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio has prevailed in keeping government from endorsing religion by winning federal lawsuits that challenged the display of the Ten Commandments at public high schools in Adams County and in a courtroom in Richland County.

Settlement of ACLU of Ohio "Pregnant Prisoner" Case Brings New Protections for Women in Jail (06/04/2002)
CLEVELAND--Inmates seeking abortions will be provided more timely care under a settlement of a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio that accused a judge of jailing a woman to prevent her from having an abortion, the ACLU announced today. 

ACLU of Ohio Says It Will Investigate Middle School Where Pepper Spray Was Used on Children (04/24/2002)
CLEVELAND--Attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio said today that they are investigating an incident at Euclid Middle School in which security guards reportedly sprayed three tables of students with a chemical pepper foam in an effort to break up a fight between two 12-year-old boys. 

ACLU of Ohio Praises Settlement in Landmark Police Abuse Case as "Best in the Nation" (04/09/2002)
CINCINNATI--The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today announced a settlement agreement in its landmark racial profiling and police practices class action lawsuit against Cincinnati, calling it a national model for police-community relations. 

Federal Judge Says Ohio "Supermax" Prison Violates Constitutional Rights (02/26/2002)
CLEVELAND-- A federal district judge ruled today that brutal conditions at an Ohio Supermax prison "impose an atypical and significant hardship" on prisoners and that their placement in the facility has "great potential for error" in violation of their rights. 

Ohio "Supermax" Prison Case Goes to Trial Monday; Focus Will Be on Brutal Conditions at Penitentiary (01/04/2002)
CLEVELAND--A week-long trial begins Monday in a class-action lawsuit brought by more than 300 inmates over brutal conditions at the "Supermax" prison in Youngstown. 

ACLU Sues Ohio Over Vanity Plates Policy, Saying "Vague Standards" for Approval Violate the First Amendment (12/20/2001)
COLUMBUS, OH--The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed a lawsuit in United States District Court in Columbus alleging that the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicle's policy for approving drivers' applications for vanity plates violates the First Amendment. 

ACLU of Ohio Sues Local School Over Random Drug Testing of Student Athletes (11/20/2001)
CLEVELAND--Saying that no widespread drug abuse among student athletes exists, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed a class action lawsuit in United States District Court in Columbus challenging the Dublin City School District's policy of random drug testing of student athletes. 

ACLU Applauds Appeals Court Decision Upholding Minors' Right to Confidential Abortions (08/24/2001)
CINCINNATI--In a victory for both minors and doctors, a federal appeals court ruled today that a doctor cannot be punished for providing an abortion to a minor without parental consent when the minor had no confidential and expeditious alternative to obtaining that consent. 

ACLU Sues Ohio Town Council Over Censorship Rules Aimed at Critics of Elected Officials (08/22/2001)
CLEVELAND--The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed a lawsuit in United States District Court challenging on First Amendment grounds the rules of the of North Ridgeville City Council, which forbid individuals from making statements critical of their elected officials during city council meetings. 

ACLU of Ohio Challenges Town's Limits on Display of Political Yard Signs (08/08/2001)
CLEVELAND--The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed a lawsuit in federal court in Cincinnati challenging the limits placed on the display of election signs by the city of Fairfield in Butler County.

ACLU Defends Ohio 8th Grader Expelled for Humorous Web Site Created at Home (07/26/2001)
CLEVELAND--The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed a federal lawsuit challenging the suspension and expulsion of an 8th grade student over a web site he and his friends created off-campus. 

Reacting to Cincinnati Riots, ACLU Calls for Calm and Restraint on All Sides, Seeks Dialogue on Racism (04/12/2001)
CLEVELAND--The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio expresses its sincere sympathies to the family of Timothy Thomas, and to all those who have suffered through the tragic loss of his life. The outpouring of grief surrounding the latest death of an unarmed African American at the hands of police underscores a deep and pervasive problem with which the citizens, officials and police in Cincinnati must come to terms. Justice demands no less. 

Citing 30-Year Pattern of Racial Profiling, ACLU And Rights Group Sue Cincinnati Police Officials (03/14/2001)
CLEVELAND, OH--A coalition of civil rights groups sued the City of Cincinnati today in federal court, citing a 30-year pattern of racial profiling by police. 

ACLU Sues Over Ten Commandments in Courthouse, Saying Biblical Text Violates Religious Liberty (03/12/2001)
CLEVELAND, OH - The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed a federal lawsuit saying that a poster of the Ten Commandments in a local county courthouse violates the First Amendment mandate of separation between church and state.

Bowing to ACLU Legal Challenge, Ohio Town Agrees to Lift Limits on Display of Political Signs (02/20/2001)
CLEVELAND, OH--The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today announced the resolution of its legal challenge to a local law which limited the display of political signs eight days prior to an election and allowed citizens to display only one sign per candidate.

ACLU Sues Cleveland Over Tattoo Ban, Saying Ordinance Censors Ancient Art Form (02/13/2001)
CLEVELAND, OH--The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed a legal challenge to a Cleveland law that bans tattooing citywide, saying the ban violates the right to freedom of expression by prohibiting the practice of an ancient and recognized art form within city limits.

ACLU Hails Victory as Federal Appeals Court Declares Cleveland School Vouchers Unconstitutional (12/11/2000)
CLEVELAND, OH-- A federal appeals court held today that Cleveland's school voucher program is unconstitutional, in a decision the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio hailed as a hard-fought victory for the First Amendment.

Court Rejects Cleveland School Voucher Program (12/11/2000)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - A federal appeals court today ruled that a four-year old Cleveland school voucher program violated the Constitution's separation of church and state.

ACLU of Ohio Challenges Election Sign Bans Across the State (10/27/2000)
CLEVELAND, OH--Seeking to defend the free speech rights of voters in the crucial days before local and national elections, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed three federal lawsuits, and will file a fourth on Monday, all growing out of municipal bans on political yard signs.

ACLU Files Lawsuit on Behalf of Ohio Firefighters Forced to Attend Church Service or Face Discipline (10/04/2000)
CLEVELAND, OH--Acting on behalf of a group of firefighters who were forced by their supervisor to attend church services while on duty, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed a federal lawsuit charging violations of religious liberty rights.

ACLU Sues Ohio School Board that Sold Students' Personal Information to a Bank (08/29/2000)
CLEVELAND, OH--The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed a lawsuit against a local school district, saying that it violated the privacy of its students when it sold their personal information to a local bank.

ACLU Condemns New Beer Keg Rules in Ohio As Assault on Privacy, Due Process Rights (08/09/2000)
CLEVELAND, OH -- A new state liquor policy into requiring a five-day advance purchase for beer keg sales and forcing consumers buying keg beer to allow police to search their homes is an unnecessary and intrusive attack on consumers' privacy, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio said today.

Ohio Cracks Down on Keg Parties (08/07/2000)
COLUMBUS, OH -- When Shane McClintock and his six college buddies hold beer parties this year, they will face new state rules as Ohio joins other states in tracking the potential for trouble spots, the Associated Press reported.

Ohio Bill Seeks Moratorium (07/13/2000)
COLUMBUS, OH -- Troubled by the increasing number of innocent people on death rows across the United States, a group of state lawmakers are attempting to put a moratorium on capital punishment in Ohio.

Pregnant Prisoner Barred from Obtaining Abortion To Receive New Sentence Tomorrow (07/13/2000)
CLEVELAND, OH -- At a hearing tomorrow morning, Yuriko Kawaguchi, the "pregnant prisoner" who was sentenced to a highly unusual jail term by a judge who openly sought to bar her from obtaining an abortion will receive a new -- and hopefully more fair -- sentence, according to her attorneys at the American Civil Liberties Union.

U.S. Department of Justice Charges Police with Racial Profiling in Columbus, Ohio (06/29/2000)
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Associated Press reported today that the U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday added a racial profiling complaint to its lawsuit accusing police officers in Columbus, Ohio of civil rights violations.

Mayor Wants Traffic Stop Data to Fight DWB in Columbus, Ohio (06/27/2000)
COLUMBUS, OH -- According to a story in today's Columbus Dispatch, local police officers would keep records of every traffic stop -- not just those for which they write tickets -- under a policy aimed at preventing discrimination, Mayor Michael B. Coleman said yesterday. The newspaper reported that Coleman announced his proposed anti-discrimination policy yesterday as the U.S. Department of Justice was considering whether to add allegations of discrimination during traffic stops to a lawsuit that claims Columbus police have engaged in a pattern of violating people's civil rights.

Ohio Appeals Court Strikes Down Christian State Motto as Unconstitutional (04/25/2000)
CLEVELAND, OH -- In a case brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, a federal appeals court today agreed that the state motto, "With God All Things Are Possible," is an unconstitutional endorsement of religion.

East Cleveland Student Wins First ACLU Youth College Scholarship (04/20/2000)
CLEVELAND, OH -- The American Civil Liberties Union today announced the winners of a nationwide student activist scholarship competition, awarding eight high school seniors $4,000 each for outstanding contributions in the struggle for civil liberties and the rights of young people.

Ohio Appeals Court Vacates "Pregnant Prisoner" Sentence (04/06/2000)
CLEVELAND -- An Ohio appeals court today vacated the sentence of a prisoner who appeared to have received a longer jail term because she expressed the desire to terminate her pregnancy while incarcerated.

In Legal First, Federal Appeals Court is Unanimous: First Amendment Applies to Programming Code (04/04/2000)
CLEVELAND, OH -- The American Civil Liberties Union today lauded a first-ever ruling by a federal appeals court that the First Amendment protects documents written in computer programming languages.

ACLU Supports Free Speech Rights of Groups Protesting Cleveland Indians Logo at Stadium (03/10/2000)
CLEVELAND, OH -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today joined prominent local attorney Niki Schwartz in a legal battle over the First Amendment rights of groups seeking to demonstrate against the use of the Chief Wahoo image and the Cleveland Indians name.

ACLU Urges State High Court to Consider Cincinnati Drug Zone Ordinance (02/07/2000)
Earlier this year, U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott ruled -- in a challenge brought by ACLU volunteer attorneys Bernard Wong and Robert Gertzweiler -- that the law was unconstitutional, saying it violated the First, Fourth and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. 

ACLU Settlement Victory Ends Homeless "Street Sweep" Law (02/02/2000)
CLEVELAND, OH -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today announced the successful resolution of its lawsuit against the City of Cleveland aimed at stopping the police from sweeping homeless people from downtown sidewalks.

Federal Judge Prohibits Ohio Efforts to Banish Citizens From Public Streets (01/20/2000)
CLEVELAND, OH -- A federal judge today struck down a local ordinance that banned individuals arrested for drug offenses from walking down public streets in an Ohio neighborhood.

ACLU Objects to Ohio Proposal to Deny Condemned Prisoners Their Final Words (01/05/2000)
COLUMBUS, OH -- Saying that condemned prisoners should have the right to offer their last words, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today objected to a proposal that would allow wardens to edit or completely suppress final statements. 

ACLU Supports Ohio Mother Prosecuted For Nude Photos of Her Daughter (01/03/2000)
COLUMBUS, OH -- Saying that parents across the state could be arrested for taking innocent photographs of their children, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed court papers supporting a mother who is being prosecuted for photos of her eight-year-old daughter.

ACLU Declares Victory in Ohio School Where Football Coach Led Prayers, Read Scripture (10/19/1999)
CLEVELAND -- An eight year history of religious indoctrination of student athletes at an Ohio public school ended today with the successful resolution of a lawsuit, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio announced today.

ACLU Sues Over Ohio School District's Policy on Religious Holidays (08/25/1999)
CLEVELAND -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed suit in federal court seeking to end a suburban school district's practice of closing its schools for the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

ACLU of Ohio Blasts Police for Harassing Teens Wearing "Insane Clown Posse" T-Shirts (08/12/1999)
CLEVELAND -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today said it may take legal action against Northwood officials after police officers harassed two 8th-graders because of their T-shirt choice, confiscating one of the shirts.

ACLU Warns Ohio Mayor Not to Stifle Speech on Local Citizen Group's Website (08/12/1999)
CLEVELAND -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today sent a letter to Berea Mayor Stanley Trupo, warning him to cease efforts to shut down a website critical of him and other city officials.

Toledo Teen Loses the T-Shirt Off His Back (08/07/1999)
TOLEDO, OH -- When 13-year-old Daniel Shellhammer left his grandmother's house in Northwood to buy soft drinks with a friend, he gave little thought to the T-shirt he was wearing -- until he was confronted by a police officer who made him remove it.

ACLU Praises Cleveland Mayor's Support of KKK's First Amendment Right to March (08/03/1999)
CLEVELAND -- The American Civil Liberties Union of today praised the Cleveland Mayor Michael White for his efforts to protect the First Amendment right of marchers scheduled to rally in Cleveland later this month.

Round 2 in Ohio School Voucher Fight (07/21/1999)
COLUMBUS, OH -- A group of parents and educators filed a federal lawsuit yesterday seeking to have the newly revised Cleveland-based school voucher program declared unconstitutional and blocked from continuing this fall, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reported.

ACLU of Ohio Sues to Prevent State From Censoring Last Words of Death Row Prisoners (07/06/1999)
COLUMBUS -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio filed suit today in federal court, seeking to overturn a corrections department regulation that would effectively silence condemned inmates during their final moments.

ACLU Will Defend Five Sued for Libel By Football Coach in Ohio School Prayer Case (07/06/1999)
LONDON, OH -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today asked a Madison County court to dismiss a libel suit brought by a football coach against seven members of the community here who had criticized his religious activities in London High School athletics.

ACLU Sues Ohio School District Over Football Team Prayers (06/28/1999)
COLUMBUS, OH -- Asking the federal court to end an eight-year history of religious indoctrination directed at student athletes, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed suit against the London City School District in United States District Court in Columbus.

ACLU of Ohio Questions City of Parma Policy on Social Security Numbers (03/17/1999)
CLEVELAND--In a letter directed to the Parma City Law Department, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today called into question an ordinance requiring landlords to collect the social security numbers of their tenants.

ACLU Opposes Death Sentence for Mentally Ill Inmate, First Ohio Execution in 35 Years (02/11/1999)
CLEVELAND--The American Civil Liberties Union today strongly urged Ohio's governor to commute the death sentence of Wilford Berry to a sentence of life imprisonment.