Surveillance and Attacks on Dissent

U.S. military and civilian officers monitoring station.

CCR represents demonstrators who have been wrongfully arrested and movements that have been infiltrated and spied on. For decades, the U.S. government has engaged in unlawful surveillance and attempted to expand Executive powers to monitor and intimidate activists, from the Black Panthers in the 1960’s and 70’s to the Central America Solidarity Movement in the 80’s to administration critics today. The right to dissent, for activists and citizens to protest government practices, is a right our nation’s founders recognized as one of the most fundamental and necessary liberties for a democratic society.

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Michael Ratner on Zuccotti Park Victory for Occupy Wall Street

"Speaking from Zuccotti Park in Lower Manhattan, Michael Ratner of the Center for Constitutional Rights says New York City’s efforts to displace Occupy Wall Street protesters in order to clean the park violates their First…

CCR's FOIA Requests Resource Guide

Our Cases »

Blum v. Holder

Blum v. Holder is a federal lawsuit challenging the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) as an unconstitutional infringement on free speech. The plaintiffs are five longtime animal rights activists whose advocacy work has been chilled…

Amicus Brief in Glik v. Cunniffe, et al.

CCR has submitted an amicus brief in Glik v. Cunniffe before the First Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of Berkeley Copwatch, Communities United against Police Brutality, Justice Committee, Milwaukee Police Accountability Coalition, Nodutdol for…

CCR Sends Letter to State Department Urging Actions to Ensure Safety of Family of Slain Activist

January 23, 2012, New York – Today the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) wrote to the U.S. State Department expressing concerns that David Murillo and Silvia Mencías, plaintiffs in a case against coup leader Roberto Micheletti Baín, face serious risks… Read More >>

Barriers and Innovations in Civil Rights Litigation Since 9/11: Practical and Theoretical Perspectives

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United States v. United States District Court

United States v. United States District Court, briefed and argued before the Supreme Court by CCR in February 1972, arose out of a federal conspiracy prosecution in which the government admitted wiretapping the defendant without a warrant. Read More >>

United States v. Union Nacional de Trabajadores

United States v. Union Nacional de Trabajadores is a lawsuit that grew out of National Labor Relations Board v. Union Nacional de Trabajadores. The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) filed the suit on behalf of the Puerto Rican Union Nacional… Read More >>