New York Supreme Court Justice Eugene Devine today upheld New York’s law ending prison-based gerrymandering in the Little v. LATFOR lawsuit. His decision squarely rejects the plaintiffs’ claim that the New York law violated various provisions of the New York State Constitution. The New York Civil Liberties Union was among seven civil rights organizations representing 15 voters from around New York State who joined the suit as intervenor-defendants.

As the Occupy Wall Street movement spreads, the New York Civil Liberties Union is working in towns and cities throughout New York State to protect the right to protest. “The right to peaceful protest is a core constitutional principle,” said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman. “As the demonstrations spread across the state, the NYCLU is standing alongside the protestors to defend their right to speak their minds.”

The New York Civil Liberties Union today released a briefing paper examining the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment and anti-mosque activities throughout New York State. The briefing paper, Religious Freedom Under Attack: the Rise of Anti-Mosque Activities in New York State, explores the legal and cultural background against which mosque controversies have unfolded across the state over the past year. It calls on public officials to promote intercultural understanding of Muslim New Yorkers while respecting the First Amendment rights of those who oppose mosque projects.

A New York Supreme Court judge has cleared the way for civil rights organizations representing 15 voters from across New York State to join the Attorney General in defending New York’s law ending “prison-based gerrymandering,” a practice that had distorted representation across New York State.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced that all new insurance plans under the health reform law provide women contraception without co-pays, deductibles or other out-of-pocket expenses. The new measure will ensure that millions of women in New York State and nationwide have greater access to a broad range contraception and preventative health services. A panel of experts at the Institute of Medicine had recommended the policy.

In an important step forward for women’s health, the Institute of Medicine has recommended to the federal government that new insurance plans under the health reform law provide contraception without co-pays, deductibles or other out-of-pocket expenses.

On July 11, 2011, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) issued an informational letter to social service and adoption agencies clarifying that discrimination based on sexual orientation is strictly prohibited in the adoption application process and that a prospective parent’s sexual orientation is never a legitimate basis for denying an application to adopt.

The New York Civil Liberties Union today released a “Know Your Rights” guide that answers frequently asked questions concerning the Marriage Equality Act – the new law granting lesbian and gay couples the freedom to marry in New York State.

The New York Civil Liberties Union and American Civil Liberties Union tonight applauded the State Senate for passing historic legislation to give lesbian and gay couples the freedom to marry in New York State.

The New York Civil Liberties Union today applauded Gov. Andrew Cuomo for suspending the federal Secure Communities (S-Comm) deportation program in New York State that tears apart families, threatens civil rights and weakens public safety.