FAC

FAC Suit Against San Diego DA Forces Disclosure of Employee Misconduct Records

The First Amendment Coalition has prevailed in a lawsuit against the San Diego district attorney’s office, forcing the disclosure of public records related to accusations of sexual misconduct by public employees. As a result of FAC’s lawsuit, a court ordered the county to turn over dozens of pages of records. District Attorney Summer Stephan’s decision to not comply with the California Public Records Act comes at a cost to taxpayers: The county will pay nearly

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Secret Docket Revealed: FAC Wins Cal Supreme Court Rulings Unsealing Clemency Files

The California Supreme Court has issued a series of rulings rejecting the governor’s efforts to seal key clemency records, ensuring transparency in a critical aspect of the criminal justice process.  The rulings — six unanimous opinions issued Sept. 11 — reject Gov. Gavin Newsom’s efforts to keep secret the files the Governor submits in support of his requests for the Supreme Court’s consent to grant clemency to twice-convicted felons. As a result, Governor Newsom is

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FAC Receives $30K Grant from Central Valley Foundation — and $10K Matching Opportunity

The Central Valley Foundation has awarded the First Amendment Coalition a $30,000 grant in support of its growing work — and has pledged an additional $10,000 in matching support. The grant, “in recognition of the First Amendment Coalition’s important work in safeguarding our First Amendment rights,” will support FAC’s efforts defending free speech, the free press, and public participation in civic affairs. The $10,000 challenge grant ensures that the Central Valley Foundation will match any gift dollar-for-dollar

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Fifth Judge Sides with FAC, Orders Release of Records in Bryan Carmody Raid

The First Amendment Coalition has prevailed in unsealing a fifth and final warrant that targeted freelance journalist Bryan Carmody, capping a months-long fight for transparency in the now-infamous raid that drew widespread condemnation.  A San Francisco judge on Aug. 22 issued an order granting FAC’s motion to unseal a warrant application for a search executed on Carmody’s phone records. In the same order, the judge quashed the warrant. The San Francisco Police Department on Aug. 30

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FAC Sues San Francisco Police, Mayor Breed for Records Related to Raid on Journalist

The First Amendment Coalition today continued its fight for transparency in the police raid on a San Francisco journalist, filing a lawsuit over city officials’ refusal to release public records.  FAC sued the San Francisco Police Department and Mayor London Breed under the California Public Records Act and San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance, an effort to vindicate the public’s right to understand the political and law-enforcement decisions that led to the now infamous May 10 search

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