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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


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

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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

ACLU-SDIC TESTIMONY URGING SD CITY COUNCIL TO REJECT RECOMMENDATION THAT NO MID-YEAR REVISION BE MADE TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 BUDGET

The following is a prepared testimony urging the San Diego City Council to reject recommendation that no mid-year revision be made to the fiscal year 2021 budget. The testimony was delivered to San Diego City Council by ACLU-SDIC Policy Associate Chelsey Birgisdóttir on February 22, 2021.

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ACLUF-SDIC Letter to Oceanside Planning Commission Regarding Conditional Use Permit Proposals

The following is a letter sent to the Oceanside Planning Commission regarding proposals related to the conditional use permit for Brother Benno’s. A PDF copy of the letter can be found here.

By David Loy

ACLU SDIC

ACLU-SDIC Prepared Testimony Urging SDUSD to Hire a Recruitment Firm and Center the Community in Superintendent Hiring Process

The following is ACLU-SDIC Policy Associate Savana Doudar’s prepared testimony for the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education meeting on Feb. 2, 2021.

By Savana Doudar

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ACLU-SDIC Testimony Urging SDUSD to Implement a Community-Centered Superintendent Hiring Process

The following is a prepared testimony urging the San Diego Unified School District to implement a community-centered, equitable superintendent hiring process. The testimony was delivered to SDUSD by ACLU-SDIC Policy Associate Savana Doudar on January 26, 2021.

By Savana Doudar

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ACLU-SDIC Testimony to San Diego County Board of Supervisors Opposing the County’s Participation in Operation Stonegarden

The following is a prepared testimony delivered to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors by ACLU-SDIC Immigrant Rights and Binational Affairs Advocate Esmeralda Flores.

By Esmeralda Flores

US Border and Customs

Lawsuit Filed in Federal Court Challenging SDPD’s Prolonged Seizure of Protester’s Cell Phone

Today, the ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties (ACLUF-SDIC), Community Advocates for Just and Moral Governance (MoGo), and Singleton Law Firm, APC (SLF), filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the City of San Diego’s prolonged and ongoing seizure of a protester’s cell phone.

By Edward Sifuentes

SDPD

The Challenges and Opportunities of Community Organizing During the COVID-19 Pandemic

SAN DIEGO – The ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties’ community organizing team brings people together to challenge unjust power structures and to promote a more equitable society. Hard work under the best of circumstances, this has become even more difficult with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Edgar Hopida

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COVID-19 Isn’t the Only Reason to End Homelessness

SAN DIEGO – The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated longstanding inequities that criminalize and punish individuals experiencing homelessness.

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Letter to San Diego County’s Public Health Officer on Advancing Equity Issues

The following is a letter addressed to Dr. Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H. regarding advancing equity issues pertaining to the pandemic response. A PDF copy of the letter can be found here.

An illustrated version of a COVID-19 virus with text that reads: "A Resource for the People on COVID-19"