Court Cases

In an effort to encourage fellow Connecticut residents to take action to save democracy and consider the rule of law, the Visibility Brigade, including our clients Erin Quinn and Robert Marra, turned to the streets to be heard and seen. Standing on local roads where they pass over I-95, Ms. Quinn and Dr. Marra have held signs condemning the government overreach and abuse of power that they have been witnessing and continue to witness. State law enforcement have threatened, detained, and prosecuted several of the protestors in the Visibility Brigade, claiming that no signs may ever be shown to interstate traffic or that sign-holders are criminally liable for drivers' reactions to the signs. These signs include a variety of messages, including language such as "Due process is the law," "These voices melt ICE," "No Kings," "Love Liberty? Resist Tyranny," and "Hands Off Our Judges." State police have insisted that sign-holders are trespassing, or illegally displaying signs that may distract drivers. Meanwhile, Connecticut allows other roadway signage, including large electronic billboards. Overpass streets and public sidewalks are traditional public forums where the right to free speech remains inalienable. The ACLU Foundation of Connecticut is suing to force the defendants—Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto and Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Ronnell Higgins—to abide by the First Amendment and stop threatening or prosecuting overpass demonstrators. Follow this case page to stay updated on Quinn v. Eucalitto.

The national ACLU, ACLU Foundation of CT, and ACLU of New Hampshire filed a friend of the court brief arguing that a firearms manufacturer's request for a Connecticut attorney's video to be hidden violates the First Amendment right to free speech.

In public spaces where you are lawfully present, you have the right to capture any image that is in plain view. That includes taking pictures and videos of government buildings, transportation facilities (including airports), and police officers.

With national women's rights organizations, the ACLU-CT filed a friend of the court brief siding with Noriana Radwan, a former UConn women's soccer player who was kicked off the team, lost her scholarship, and lost her ability to attend UConn because she raised her middle finger in celebration.

When a Stamford police officer confiscated Michael Friend's phone and sign and arrested and jailed him for exercising his right to protest, he violated Friend's First Amendment rights to free speech and information and Fourth Amendment right against warrantless seizure.

In a complaint filed with the U.S. District Court, the ACLU-CT contends that three state police troopers illegally retaliated against and interfered with a protester by searching and detaining him, confiscating his camera, and charging him with fabricated criminal infractions.