News & Commentary

Photo of City of San Diego seal in the city council chambers. An American flag is in the left bottom corner.

ACLU-SDIC Public Comment – City of San Diego Risk Management Presents on Settlements & Judgments Against SDPD

The following prepared public comment, following a presentation by the City of San Diego’s Risk Management on settlements and judgments against the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), outlines the significant amount of city funds used for these SDPD settlements and how that money would be better spent investing in our communities. This public comment was delivered before the San Diego City Council Budget and Government Efficiency Committee by ACLU-SDIC Senior Policy Advocate Branden Sigua on June 17, 2026.

By Branden Sigua

Latest Press Release

June 9, 2026

Workers and Advocacy Groups Challenge DHS’s Illegal Warrantless Arrest Policy 

DHS practice amounts to “arrest people and ask questions later.” 
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Stay informed on civil rights issues. Discover our latest actions and updates in the Press Release section.

Samantha Itazawa (long dark hair, bangs, wearing black longsleeve shirt) delivers testimony into microphone standing before a seated crowd.

ACLU-SDIC Public Testimony – San Diego City Council Resolution in Support of Somali Community

The following public comment outlines the ACLU-SDIC's support for a resolution in support for our Somali community. This public comment was delivered before the San Diego City Council by ACLU-SDIC Staff Attorney Samantha Itazawa on June 15, 2026.

By Samantha Itazawa

Daniela holding rainbow fan that says "fan of equal rights"

ACLU-SDIC Public Testimony – Support for Pride Month Resolution at Central Union High School District Board Meeting

The following public comment outlines the ACLU-SDIC's support for a LGBTQIA+ Pride Month Resolution. This public comment was delivered before the Central Union High School District Board by ACLU-SDIC Senior Organizer Daniela Vega on June 9, 2026. The resolution passed with a 4-1 vote.

By Daniela Vega

Sign that says San Diego says Flock Off!

ACLU-SDIC Public Comment – City of San Diego Holds Hearing on Approval of FY27 Budget

The following public comment outlines the ACLU-SDIC's opposition to the city of San Diego's contracts with Flock Safety and support for services and resources related to youth, libraries, arts, housing, parks and other programs that help San Diegans thrive. This public comment was delivered before the San Diego City Council by ACLU-SDIC Senior Policy Advocate Branden Sigua on June 9, 2026.

By Branden Sigua

May 25, 2017

Federal Appeals Court Rules Trump Muslim Ban Unconstitutional

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May 25, 2017

Leading Civil Rights Organizations Settle Discrimination Lawsuit Against the City of Escondido

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May 24, 2017

ACLU Executive Director’s TED Talk: Democracy Must Not Be Spectator Sport

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May 23, 2017

ICE Using Powerful Stingray Surveillance Devices In Deportation Searches

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May 17, 2017

ACLU Comment on Appointment of Special Counsel on Russia Investigation

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May 17, 2017

The Search For The Next Chief of Police

The ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties strongly supports robust civic engagement in decision-making about the next Chief of the San Diego Police Department.   For this reason, we are pleased to see that the Mayor’s May revised budget for the City of San Diego includes a line item for $100,000 to recruit San Diego’s next Police Chief!More than one hundred concerned San Diegans attended the City Council’s budget hearing this past Monday evening to voice their support for this important expenditure. Dozens more attended hearings over the past month for the same purpose. Thank you for speaking out. The Mayor and City Council heard our voices and responded.Our advocacy must not end here. In fact, this is when we must lean in to ensure that the recruitment process is community-centered, inclusive, and informed by diverse perspectives.Key factors of a strong recruitment process include:

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May 12, 2017

ACLU to Jeff Sessions: Repeating The Failed War on Drugs Experiment Is Taking the Nation Back by Decades

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May 11, 2017

Advocates Applaud Gov. Brown for Providing Additional Funding for Deportation Defense

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May 11, 2017

Nationwide Report: Insurance Corporations Created Exploitative $2 Billion Bail Industry

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Download the California Snapshot to the report here.
Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by over one million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. Visit www.colorofchange.org.

ACLU’s Campaign for Smart Justice is dedicated to ending mass incarceration in the United States. It is an unprecedented, multiyear effort to reduce the U.S. jail and prison population by 50 percent and challenge racial disparities in the criminal justice system. Visit www.aclu.org.

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