News & Commentary

In a victory for the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, the New Orleans Civil District Court today ordered Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro to turn over public records from the past five years identifying the prosecutors in his office who have issued or authorized false subpoenas, or documents that claim to be subpoenas but were not issued by a court.

ACLU of Louisiana issued the following statement regarding Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry’s call for the federal government to phase out Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which allows immigrants, known as DREAMers, who came to the U.S. as children to apply for a work permit and temporary protection against deportation.

ACLU of Louisiana Executive Director Marjorie Esman sent an open letter to Caddo Parish Commissioners today, urging them to take steps to remove the Confederate monument at the Caddo Parish Courthouse.

The ACLU of Louisiana is suing Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro for refusing to provide public records identifying the lawyers in his office who have issued or authorized false subpoenas, or documents that claim to be subpoenas but were not issued by a court. The suit seeks to compel the District Attorney to respond to an inquiry, sent on May 5, 2017, which requested documents sufficient to show the names and Louisiana bar numbers of those lawyers.

Recent years have seen increased concern for victims of human trafficking, with public service messages and billboards designed to alert the public to identify potential victims. Anecdotal reports suggest that human trafficking — often seen as forced sex work, but also including other forced labor — may be on the rise. Clearly anyone forced into work of any kind needs and deserves protection, and our efforts on their behalf must continue.

Last week Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro told WWL-TV that he feels victims of violent crimes, including domestic abuse and sexual assault, are “wrong” for refusing to testify in their cases. In making his case for the use of a material witness warrant to compel a rape victim to testify against their attacker, Cannizzaro said, "Is it more important for this witness to be inconvenienced for a very short period of time or is it better for the community to get the violent offender off the streets and keep him off the streets?"

Today we sent our annual open letter to the superintendents of all Louisiana public schools, reminding them that they may not legally discriminate against gay, lesbian, transgender, or genderqueer students’ participation in school activities, including school dances.

According to a report by KATC-TV News in Lafayette, some defendants in Lafayette Parish Court are being locked inside during proceedings, while the public is barred from entering. Lafayette Parish Court Commissioner Thomas Frederick, KATC reports, has a bailiff posted at his courtroom door to turn away members of the public, including those accompanying defendants.  Those inside the courtroom are unable to exit until after their appearance before the commissioner, and must do so through a separate door.

The ACLU of Louisiana is committed to preserving the rights and freedoms of everyone in Louisiana. Our Muslim residents and visitors are no exception. We denounce President Trump’s bigoted, unconstitutional order barring refugees, immigrants, and travelers from certain Muslim-majority countries.