The California Civil Liberties Advocacy (CCLA) is proud to reintroduce ourselves to the communities we serve and to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to advancing justice, equity, and transparency in California. As a grassroots organization dedicated to protecting civil liberties, we have always sought to empower individuals, hold policymakers accountable, and ensure that the foundational rights of every Californian are preserved.
Our Legacy of Advocacy
Since our founding in 2013, the CCLA has been at the forefront of pivotal legislative reforms:
- Protecting Privacy in the Digital Age: SB 34 (2015) established clear guidelines for the use of Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs), ensuring greater accountability and transparency in how the data is stored and accessed. SB 741 (2015) introduced similar protections for cell phone intercept technology (i.e. “stingray”), requiring public agencies to adopt usage and privacy policies to safeguard Californians’ rights against government overreach. AB 1940 (2016) would have allowed officers to review body-worn camera footage with their lawyer present before submitting official reports or being interrogated by Internal Affairs. The organization highlighted concerns about undermining the transparency and accountability goals of body cameras, arguing that this provision could lead to mistrust and potentially manipulated reporting. The bill ultimately failed passage due to the efforts of CCLA and our contemporaries.
- Racial and Identity Profiling Act (AB 953): Successfully supported this groundbreaking legislation requiring law enforcement agencies to collect data on police stops to address racial and ethnic disparities in policing.
- California Values Act (SB 54): Aggressively lobbied for this landmark legislation protecting immigrant communities by limiting local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
- The CROWN Act (SB 188): Championed the prohibition of race-based hair discrimination in schools and workplaces.
- Transparency in Law Enforcement (AB 748): Advocated for the timely release of body camera footage to foster accountability and rebuild public trust in law enforcement.
- Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AB 686): Supported codifying fair housing protections into state law to combat systemic housing discrimination.
Through these efforts and more, we’ve helped create a safer, more inclusive California.
Challenges and Resilience
The pandemic brought unprecedented challenges, impacting communities, businesses, and nonprofits alike. For the CCLA, it meant a dramatic reduction in our ability to lobby effectively, coupled with personal hardships faced by our board members, advocates, and volunteers. Many resigned, leaving us with a reduced team and a smaller volunteer pool.
Despite these setbacks, we recognize that the fight for civil liberties does not pause. If anything, the pandemic underscored the need for strong watchdog organizations to ensure that crises are not used to erode rights and freedoms. In 2025, we are recommitting to this critical mission.
Our Renewed Focus in 2025
As we rebuild, the CCLA is expanding our focus to tackle the most pressing issues facing Californians today, including:
- LGBTQ+ Rights: Protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in the face of discriminatory legislation and ensuring equal access to healthcare, education, and employment.
- Freedom of Expression: Safeguarding the First Amendment rights of Californians as technology and policies evolve, particularly in the digital realm.
- Reproductive Rights: Advocating for access to reproductive healthcare and defending the right to choose.
- Criminal Justice Reform: Continuing to push for sentencing reform, alternatives to incarceration, and ending systemic racial disparities in the justice system.
- Privacy Protections: Opposing government overreach into private data and enhancing protections against surveillance.
- Immigrant Rights: Strengthening sanctuary policies and ensuring that all Californians, regardless of status, have access to critical resources and legal protections.
We remain steadfast in our belief that the power of the people lies in their collective voice. Through grassroots advocacy, policy engagement, and community education, we aim to empower Californians to fight for their rights and hold their government accountable.
Join Us
The CCLA’s success has always relied on the passion and dedication of our volunteers and supporters. As we rebuild in 2025, we invite you to join us in this fight. Whether you want to volunteer, donate, or simply spread the word, every effort helps us build a more just and equitable California.
Let’s make this year a turning point. Together, we can ensure that California continues to be a beacon of civil liberties for all.