The February 1999 shooting death of Amadou Diallo by police officers in the NYPD’s Street Crimes Unit triggered a broad public controversy about racial profiling and stop-and-frisk that continues to this day. Not only did the shooting prompt widespread protests, but it led the New York State Attorney General’s Office to conduct a detailed study of NYPD stop-and-frisk activity and led the New York City Council to enact legislation requiring the Police Department to provide quarterly reports about stop-and-frisk activity.

For some New Yorkers, the most simple and fundamental parts of their identity – their clothing, their speech, even their names – expose them to hostility and exclusion. People who do not conform to gender-based stereotypes, or whose gender presentation or identity differs from the one usually associated with their anatomical sex, often experience persistent discrimination and harassment. They face challenges earning a living, finding housing, and enjoying the simple pleasures and necessities of life.

For some New Yorkers, the simplest and most fundamental parts of their identity – their clothing, their speech, even their names – expose them to hostility and exclusion. People who do not conform to genderbased stereotypes, or whose gender presentation or identity differs from the one usually associated with their anatomical sex, often experience persistent discrimination and harassment. They face challenges earning a living, finding housing and enjoying the simple pleasures and

Protecting Patient Privacy: Strategies for Regulating Electronic Health Records Exchange maintains that there are significant flaws in the state’s current privacy and security policies and procedures governing computer networks for sharing electronic medical records.

The New York Civil Liberties Union’s 60th anniversary is both a milestone and a marker in our ongoing commitment to preserve and protect our democracy. Since its founding in 1951, the NYCLU has helped shape our society and made a difference in people’s lives. Over the past 60 years the NYCLU has:

• Contested the witch hunts and loyalty oaths of the McCarthy era and protected the right to protest
• Stopped school censorship and ended forced prayer in the public schools

This report is the first-ever in-depth examination of the Border Patrol’s transportation raids in upstate New York. It paints a disturbing picture of an agency resorting to aggressive policing tactics in order to increase arrest rates, without regard for the costs and consequences of its practices on New Yorkers’ rights and freedoms. The report extends beyond transportation raids to other Border Patrol practices as well, raising serious concerns about an agency that appears to be driven by the belief that the regular rules of the Constitution do not apply to it.

Taking Tasers Seriously: The Need for Better Regulation of Stun Guns in New York analyzes 851 Taser incident reports from eight police departments across the state as well as 10 departments’ policies and guidelines for using the weapons, which deliver up to 50,000 volts of electricity and have caused the deaths of more than a dozen New Yorkers in recent years. The report concludes that police officers throughout New York State are consistently misusing and overusing Tasers.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) youth often face harassment and discrimination simply for being who they are. Just the thought of entering the school doors can be a nightmare for many students. But the law requires school administrators and teachers to:

• Protect LGBTQ students from bullying and harassment.
• Treat LGBTQ students fairly and equally.
• Respect LGBTQ students’ free speech and free expression rights.
• Respect LGBTQ students’ privacy rights.

In the summer of 2010, national media attention turned to a plan to build a Muslim community center, to be called “Park51,” a few blocks away from ground zero. Although the plan was first reported in late 2009, with a quote from the project’s religious leader at the time stating that its goal was to “push back against the extremists,” the proposal did not receive much media attention until May 2010.

Now that same-sex couples have the freedom to marry in New York, the NYCLU has compiled a guide to answer some frequently asked questions about the new law. Please note: This brief overview is not intended to provide individualized legal advice. For further information, or if you feel that you have encountered discrimination related to your marriage, contact the NYCLU by phone at (212) 607-3300 or email at mgoodman@nyclu.org. Questions:

• What does the new law do?