News & Commentary

Eddie Meyer, Senior Policy Advocate at the ACLU-SDIC, gives public testimony at the San Diego City Council meeting. He is bald, wears black glasses, is wearing a black suit with a blue collared shirt and a purple tie. At the bottom of the image is a running header, that says "San Diego City Council; Item 330; September 15, 2026". Underneath is another bar that says "Resolution Adopting a Working Definition of Islamophobia as an Educational Tool".

ACLU-SDIC Public Comment – Support for San Diego City Council’s Anti-Muslim Hate Resolution

The following prepared public comment outlines the ACLU-SDIC’s support for a resolution advocating for the passage of the Anti-Muslim Hate Resolution. This public comment was delivered before the San Diego City Council by ACLU-SDIC Senior Policy Advocate Eddie Meyer on September 15, 2026.

By Eddie Meyer

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Nov 5, 2026

ACLU Applauds Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Historic Commutation of All Death Sentences in California

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Stay informed on civil rights issues. Discover our latest actions and updates in the Press Release section.

Graphic with black background and red graphic. Photos include a megaphone, a sign that says "ICE doesn't protect ICE kills" and a photo of "Police ICE".

ACLU-SDIC Public Comment – Support for San Diego County Board of Supervisors Board Letter Regarding AB 2760 to Prohibit Shock Gloves

The following prepared public comment outlines the ACLU-SDIC’s support for a Board Letter advocating for the passage of California Assembly Bill 2760. This public comment was delivered before the San Diego County Board of Supervisors by ACLU-SDIC Senior Policy Advocate Eddie Meyer on September 1, 2026.

By Eddie Meyer

Sign that says San Diego says Flock Off!

ACLU-SDIC Public Comment – End City of San Diego’s ALPR Contracts

The following public comment outlines the ACLU-SDIC’s support for ending the City of San Diego’s automated license plate reader (ALPR) system contracts. This public comment was delivered before the San Diego City Council Public Safety Committee meeting by ACLU-SDIC Senior Policy Advocate Branden Sigua on August 19, 2026.

By Branden Sigua

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

Sep 11, 2015

For San Diego Police Department, Body Cameras Not Translating into Transparency

Chief Zimmerman this week went so far as to urge a court to deny a request for release of a recent security camera video footage that captured a fatal officer-involved shooting. In her declaration to the court, the Chief argues that the community cannot be trusted with the truth. It would be too dangerous, she claims, to allow the public to view the video that captured a fatal shooting by an SDPD officer in a dark alley in the Midway District earlier this year.

What the Chief fails to realize is that SDPD secrecy will make us all less safe, not more and undermines trust in the police.

The ACLU has repeatedly urged the Department to release the video to demonstrate its commitment to transparency. Despite the Chief’s claims, the release of the video would not hamper investigation into the shooting nor would it threaten the privacy of any other party. The officer and Fridoon Rawshan Nehad, who died there, were alone in that alley. The officer inexplicably and in violation of SDPD policy failed to turn on his body camera.

In this case, the public’s interest in understanding what happened clearly outweighs the privacy interests of those involved. A man is dead; the involved officer has already been identified. The video will simply show what happened. The Department’s decision to urge the court to keep the video hidden sends a strong message that the SDPD is more interested in circling the wagons than committing to transparency with the community it serves.

David Trujillo is Advocacy Director for the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties.