Skip to the content

NYCLU | Issues

Racial Profiling
Click here to learn more.

Though generations of civil rights activism have led to important gains in legal, political, social, employment, educational and other spheres, inequality of resources and opportunity still disproportionately and negatively impact people of color, and New Yorkers of color still bear the brunt of attacks on civil rights and liberties. The New York Civil Liberties Union aims to preserve and extend constitutionally guaranteed rights to people who have historically been denied their rights on the basis of race.

Please explore the links to the right and below to learn about the NYCLU’s work to combat racism through litigation, organizing, legislative advocacy, and public education.


News Items and Releases  (see all)



July 1, 2009 - NYC Pays Substantial Damages in Subway Checkpoint Racial Profiling Case, but Refuses to Change Program

June 10, 2009 - NYCLU Urges Legislators to Consider Civil Rights Concerns as they Weigh HIV Testing

May 12, 2009 - Record Number of Innocent New Yorkers Stopped, Interrogated by NYPD

Court Cases  (see all)



Brown v. City of Oneonta

People v. Jacobs/Mehra v. Herricks School District

Caesar v. Pataki

Publications  (see all)



Palm Card: What to Do If You're Stopped by the Police (English and Spanish) (2004)

Report: Marajuana Arrest Crusade (2008)

Report: Criminalizing the Classroom (2007)

Printer-friendly Version