ACLU

Burns Charest & Kick Law Firm: Lawsuit Alleges Western Union, MoneyGram Unlawfully Share Customers’ Personal Information with Law Enforcement

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 22, 2024

According to the lawsuit filed by attorneys with Burns Charest LLP and the Kick Law Firm, the companies provide personal information to hundreds of law enforcement agencies, bypassing the typical legal requirements such as court orders, subpoenas, or warrants, and done without the knowledge and consent of the individuals using the services.

Key Points: 
  • According to the lawsuit filed by attorneys with Burns Charest LLP and the Kick Law Firm, the companies provide personal information to hundreds of law enforcement agencies, bypassing the typical legal requirements such as court orders, subpoenas, or warrants, and done without the knowledge and consent of the individuals using the services.
  • The lawsuit alleges the two money transfer providers, together with Forcepoint and TRAC, are violating the California Consumer Privacy Rights Act and the California constitutional right to privacy.
  • “It is unconscionable that these companies are caving to governmental pressure and knowingly providing this information in violation of the law and their own policies,” says Chase Hilton of Burns Charest, who filed the lawsuit with co-counsel Taras Kick of the Kick Law Firm.
  • The United States is one of the largest remitters and, notably, Mexico received the second highest level of remittances in 2022.

University of Austin (UATX), Launches Debate Society, the Austin Union

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 4, 2024

AUSTIN, Texas, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the University of Austin (UATX), America's newest university dedicated to the fearless pursuit of truth and fostering an environment of intellectual freedom and pluralism, announced the launch of the Austin Union, a debate society. To honor the commencement, the University is hosting an event on Saturday, March 9th, during SXSW, featuring special guest Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. alongside former ACLU head Nadine Strossen.

Key Points: 
  • The Austin Union Manifesto declares: "No mind can grow without some sort of resistance.
  • Hagye says, "I was inspired by the storied Oxford Union, which I experienced during my studies at Oxford a few years ago.
  • "It's our goal that over time, the Austin Union will -- like Oxford's -- become a fully student-run organization," Hagye added.
  • The Austin Union audience can expect a respectful appreciation of opposing views, with enough disagreement to spur continuing discussion of decisions of great importance to all Americans."

Kanopy and Atomic Focus Entertainment Co-Produce First Feature Film, Banned Together, About the Current Wave of U.S. Book Bans

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 18, 2024

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As book bans continue to proliferate in communities nationwide, Kanopy has partnered with Atomic Focus Entertainment to co-produce a new documentary titled Banned Together that tackles this explosive topic.

Key Points: 
  • SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As book bans continue to proliferate in communities nationwide, Kanopy has partnered with Atomic Focus Entertainment to co-produce a new documentary titled Banned Together that tackles this explosive topic.
  • The production marks the first original feature film for the filmmakers and the first produced feature film for Kanopy, the entertainment streaming service that is provided at no fee by public libraries and universities.
  • With a cast of visionary teenagers, stirring public protests, private threats, criminal charges, and profanity-laced school board meetings, Banned Together pulls back the curtain on book bans and curriculum censorship in public schools.
  • As these students become national activists, the film documents the larger story of book bans and curriculum censorship across the nation.

School board members could soon be blocked from blocking people − and deleting their comments − on social media

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024

If a school board member has a social media account, would it be wrong for them to block someone and delete their comments?

Key Points: 
  • If a school board member has a social media account, would it be wrong for them to block someone and delete their comments?
  • That’s a question the Supreme Court has decided to take up after public officials, including two school board members, blocked constituents from seeing their accounts or removed critical comments.
  • At stake is what constitutes state action – or action taken in an official governmental capacity – on social media.

The school board case

  • Beginning around 2014, two school board candidates in the Poway Unified School District in San Diego created Facebook and Twitter, now X, pages as part of their campaigns for office.
  • In 2017, the school board members blocked a couple with children in the district from commenting on their pages.
  • In the resulting case, O'Connor-Ratcliff v. Garnier, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit affirmed that the two school board members violated the Garniers’ First Amendment rights to free speech and expression.
  • And third, the board members solicited constituent input about school matters on the social media pages in question.
  • This is because at the time the school board members blocked the Garniers, no court had yet established whether the First Amendment applies to public officials’ speech in the context of social media.

Critical comments over COVID-19

  • Once in office, he used the page for both personal and professional reasons, posting updates about his family as well as policies he was working to implement.
  • During the pandemic, constituent Kevin Lindke posted on Freed’s page, criticizing his handling of the public health crisis.
  • Freed deleted Lindke’s comments and blocked him from the page.
  • In Lindke v. Freed, the 6th Circuit affirmed that Freed did not violate the First Amendment in deleting and blocking Lindke’s comments.

The future of the cases

  • Both cases not only have consequences for citizens’ First Amendment rights but also for social media companies and users.
  • The Court may decide whether social media platforms such as Facebook and X can be liable for allowing a public official to block private citizens from commenting on their accounts.
  • These cases might also establish rules and standards about how public officials can control their social media accounts and the role of the courts in these disputes.


Charles J. Russo does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Tamara Lange Joins JAMS in San Francisco

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 15, 2023

JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce the addition of Tamara Lange to its panel.

Key Points: 
  • JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce the addition of Tamara Lange to its panel.
  • Ms. Lange joins JAMS after serving as ADR director for the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, where she mediated and evaluated hundreds of cases and supervised other neutrals in thousands more.
  • As an advocate, Ms. Lange handled commercial, patent, copyright, insurance coverage, environmental, entertainment and class action cases at a global law firm in San Francisco and a litigation boutique in Los Angeles.
  • I look forward to continuing my work as a neutral in my new role at JAMS and to working with parties and their lawyers to forge enduring resolutions,” said Ms. Lange.

Stand With Us for Justice and Unity: Oppose Unconstitutional Legislations

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 15, 2023

Their participation lends significant weight to this critical cause and grassroots movement, amplifying the urgency and importance of opposing discriminatory laws and standing for justice and equality.

Key Points: 
  • Their participation lends significant weight to this critical cause and grassroots movement, amplifying the urgency and importance of opposing discriminatory laws and standing for justice and equality.
  • SB 264, a legislation imposing a restrictive property purchase ban for certain community members, has raised significant concerns.
  • Violations of this ban could result in severe civil and criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to 5 years.
  • SB 264, imposing property bans and penalties, and SB 846, hampering research, collaboration, and academic freedom, stand as stark examples of legislations that erodes fundamental principles of equality and inclusivity.

AARP Pennsylvania Recognizes Jim Palmquist for his Dedication and Commitment to Community Service with its Most Prestigious Volunteer Award

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 21, 2023

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jim Palmquist has been selected by AARP, the nonprofit organization for people 50 and older, to receive the 2023 AARP Pennsylvania Andrus Award for Community Service, the Association's most prestigious and visible state volunteer award for community service.

Key Points: 
  • HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jim Palmquist has been selected by AARP, the nonprofit organization for people 50 and older, to receive the 2023 AARP Pennsylvania Andrus Award for Community Service, the Association's most prestigious and visible state volunteer award for community service.
  • AARP Pennsylvania selected Palmquist, 78, for his remarkable service, which has greatly benefited his community, reflected AARP's vision and mission, and inspired other volunteers.
  • Palmquist's storied career found him in everything from rescue helicopters for the U.S. Navy, to sales, to teaching in museums and at the college level.
  • "This award acts as a symbol to the public that we can all work together for positive social change," says AARP State Director Bill Johnston-Walsh.

Signature Resolution Welcomes Zazi Pope to Panel of Neutrals

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 6, 2023

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Signature Resolution, a leader in alternative dispute resolution, announced today that Zazi Pope is joining the firm's distinguished panel of neutrals. With over 35 years of legal experience, Pope will specialize in business, entertainment, and complex litigation matters.

Key Points: 
  • Discovery in Los Angeles
    LOS ANGELES, Nov. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Signature Resolution , a leader in alternative dispute resolution, announced today that Zazi Pope is joining the firm's distinguished panel of neutrals.
  • "I'm beyond excited to join the prestigious team of neutrals at Signature Resolution and to bring over 35 years of entertainment litigation experience to the table," said Pope.
  • "We are thrilled to welcome Zazi Pope to the Signature Resolution team.
  • Pope's wealth of experience makes her a valuable addition to Signature Resolution's esteemed panel of neutrals.

Partnership on AI Releases Guidance for Safe Foundation Model Deployment, Takes the Lead to Drive Positive Outcomes and Help Inform AI Governance Ahead of AI Safety Summit in UK

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 24, 2023

“PAI is a trusted convener of key stakeholders, and together with our Partners we’ve developed the first comprehensive guidance for model providers.

Key Points: 
  • “PAI is a trusted convener of key stakeholders, and together with our Partners we’ve developed the first comprehensive guidance for model providers.
  • Drawing from the diverse perspectives of our global community of collaborators, PAI’s Model Deployment Guidance offers the kind of collectively built guardrails the AI field desperately needs.
  • To learn more about Partnership on AI’s Guidance for Safe Foundation Model Deployment, access custom guidance, and provide public comment, please visit: ​​ https://partnershiponai.org/modeldeployment .
  • - Markus Anderljung, Head of Policy at Centre for the Governance of AI (GovAI) and Member, PAI Working Group on Model Guidance

World's 1st Dispensary Owned and Operated by Formerly Incarcerated People - CONBUD - Celebrates its NYC Grand Opening on October 19, 2023

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 17, 2023

NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CONBUD, the world's first dispensary owned and operated by formerly incarcerated people, today announces its New York City grand opening, slated for Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 5pm.  One of the first recreational dispensaries to be awarded a social equity CAURD license by the state of New York, CONBUD is the sixth licensed cannabis retailer in New York City and the only licensed dispensary in its Lower East Side neighborhood. Located at 85 Delancey Street, CONBUD promises to deliver New York's finest cannabis to adult consumers and second chances to New York State's justice-impacted community.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CONBUD, the world's first dispensary owned and operated by formerly incarcerated people, today announces its New York City grand opening, slated for Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 5pm.
  • Located at 85 Delancey Street, CONBUD promises to deliver New York's finest cannabis to adult consumers and second chances to New York State's justice-impacted community.
  • "When consumers enter CONBUD, they aren't just showing up for cannabis; they're showing up for justice."
  • And finally, at check out, patrons are met with the 13th Amendment inscribed on the wall.