Free Speech

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The First Amendment guarantees us freedom of expression. Whether it’s the right to protest, freedom of the press, or religious liberty, the ACLU of Ohio is here to defend against government intrusion into our personal, political, and religious lives.

The Latest

News & Commentary
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House Bill 16 - Proponent Testimony

The ACLU of Ohio encourages this committee’s support of House Bill 16 with the caveat it should, and needs to be, improved in order to fully accomplish this bill’s goals.
News & Commentary
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Highlighting Banned Books by Black Authors for Black History Month

For Black History Month, the ACLU of Ohio shares a list of ten books that have been banned in the U.S. by Black authors.
News & Commentary
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Senate Bill 1 - Opponent Testimony

To support SB 1, as is, is an invitation to chaos, confusion, and First Amendment violations on all our campuses. Instead, the ACLU of Ohio urges this committee's rejection of Senate Bill 1.
Press Release
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ACLU Files Second Amicus Brief in Sixth Circuit Court in Lawsuit Challenging Ohio School District’s Student Speech Policies

Today, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Ohio filed an amicus brief in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in a lawsuit by Plaintiff-Appellants (the “parent group”) challenging Olentangy Local School District’s (the “District”) student speech policies. 
Court Case
Sep 23, 2023

Parents Defending Education v. Olentangy Local School District Board of Education, et al. (amicus)

Court Case
Aug 05, 2021

Novak v. City of Parma, et al. (amicus)

Parody is inherently provocative and often political, but is clearly protected speech. Any state law that is applied to criminalize such speech violates the First Amendment
Court Case
Mar 12, 2021

Wood v. Eubanks (amicus)

Court Case
Feb 12, 2021

Petitt v. Morrow, et al.

Nick Petitt filmed a Columbus Police SWAT team from his porch. Officers then entered onto Mr. Petitt’s property unlawfully, attacked him, arrested him, and seized his phone, in violation of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments.