News & Commentary

Tens of thousands of people were in Sanford, Florida, last night — coming together over the tragedy of the shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. (Pictured above, from left to right: Rev. Al Sharpton, Joyce Hamilton Henry and Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, at the gathering.)

Tonight the author attended a gathering at the Allen Chapel AME Church in Sanford, Florida. The following is an excerpt of her remarks:

As we learn more about the tragic shooting death of Trayvon Martin, concerns are being raised about the manner, thoroughness and neutrality of the investigation by the police in Sanford, Florida.

The concern is justified.

It w

By Martha Jackovics, Beach Peanuts

Despite all the legislation from last year's session of the Florida Legislature aimed at blocking abortions in the state, no abortion bills were passed in the 2012 session, but not for lack of trying. Ten anti-abortion bills were introduced this year, compared to 18 bills introduced last year.

Considering the push against women's health issues and abortion throughout the country in states controlled by Republicans, this was a win for women's health in Florida.

Here at the ACLU of Florida, we produce a lot of resources to help people in Florida know their rights. In this cartoon, it looks like Governor Rick Scott has decided to do our job for us with the state's new election laws.

By Peter Schorsch, Executive Editor, SaintPetersBlog

For a moment there, Florida progressives had a winning strategy to defeat several ballot initiatives to be decided this November.

Some days, it can be lonely being an ACLU lawyer. That’s particularly true in Florida, where we’ve been challenging a slew of laws that violate Floridians' Fourth Amendment rights to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.

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