. >> her story is the latest to grab the attention of the american civil liberties union, which has filed a suit against the city of biloxi. they are accusing them of running a modern day debtors prison, where is people are put behind bars because they can't ford to pay fines. >> it's a two tiered justice system, where the poor are sentenced more harshly because they don't have the money to pay the nines and fees, and then the company tacks on more fees, which raises the debt of what they owe. >> los to 27% of people in biloxi live in poverty. more than double six years ago, and they have increasingly depended on fines and fees for revenues, and it's not alone. there are lawsuits pending against six cities. several have been settled and have already led to policy changes. >> ferguson is probably the most visible that we have seen of a fender funded justice, and it came to light shortly after the tragic death of michael brown. that ferguson had actually ride on municipal court funds to close 20% of their entire nearly $13 million budget >> reporter: rebecca with the center for progress cal

as chris gordon reports the american civil liberties union is behind this mobile justice app. >> reporter: the american civil liberties union today unveiled a new phone app called mobile justice. it allows anyone in the district of virginia or maryland who is recording video of police interaction with citizens and who feels that police are violating someone's civil rights to submit that video directly to the american civil liberties union for a legal review. >> some standard videos have helped document police abuse and good police officers know that footage of other officers acting in bad faith makes their job harder. >> reporter: all new at 5:00, some recent local cases the aclu cites to show why they think this new mobile justice app is need. that's the late in the district. back to you. >> i live there, and i didn't know this and hard to believe in a city as wealthy as alexandria more than 13,000 people are hungry and living in poverty and one in five of them are children. to raise money and awareness the non-profit group alive is sponsoring an empty bowls event today. ceramic students

. >> i am the executive director of the american civil liberties union of northern california.lf of that organization, i -- we are going to show you a film you may have already seen. it was called "operation abolition," a film spliced together from television news real footage subpoenaed from the house committee on un-american activities following their visit to san francisco in may, 1960. the final film, produced and sold by washington, d c, film company, has been made part of its official record by the committee. report the committee's on the date of october 7, 1960, entitled the communist-led riots against the house committee on un-american activities in san 14, 1960., may 12 to now, the american civil liberties union, a large number of reliable witnesses, including ministers, educators, attorneys, attorneys -- newspaper men and broadcasters disagree with the title -- communist-led riots.

against the house committee on un-american activities in san 14, 1960., may 12 to now, the american civil liberties union, a large number of reliable witnesses, including ministers, educators, attorneys, attorneys -- newspaper men and broadcasters disagree with the title -- communist-led riots. yes, there were demonstrations against the committee, some newspaper editorials against the committee's tactics. in fact, fairly widespread questioning of the committee by persons were present in many shades in the broad spectrum of political opinion. no doubt some communist, both foreign and domestic variety are against the committee, but we point out and we will prove with our own film that persons who demonstrate against the committee are not there -- thereby communists or communist dupes. if you are to be called a communist every time you stand up for basic american rights and freedoms, what is likely to happen question mark will you be silent, and if so, -- happen? will you be silent, and if so, is this what the house committee on un-american activities is after -- a silent, submissive, on protesting american

the american civil liberties union even filing lawsuits in four states... here in iowa -- a-c-l-u legislative director dane schuman says innocent people might be concerned information could fall into the wrong hands. "the main concern the aclu has with automated license plate readers, is what's done with the information after it's accumulated by law enforcement." but des moines police say the license plate reader is governed by iowa law -- invasion is minimal -- and information is erased after six months. "the problem that can arise is that the information is stored, archived and used to track movement of innocent individuals who haven't done anything wrong over time." regardless of privacy concerns -- des moines police believe the benefits outweigh the treats -- recalling this incident where a virginia reporter and photographer were killed -- and police found this man moments -- through the use of this good morning...tonight at 10, involved shooting in the spotlight this year. we talk to a des moines man who lost his father to one of them in 1999. plus, a

allegedly saying they were involved in prositituion based on them being transgender" the american civil liberties union and aclu of iowa claim under iowa's civil rights laws- taylor should be protected from discrimination in public accomodations and that this experience scarred taylor from wanting to return to iowa. "businesses this is illegal, clear message to drury and other trans people and businesses they cant have this unacceptable behavior" taylor herself, talked to local 5 news over the phone about the what she called a "tragic situation" and what she hopes the complaint does for transgender communities everywhere. "get the chance to get to know us, give us a chance, we're regular people just like them, you know we're not different we're all humans" following taylors comments, aclu said it was simply unaccpetable and "un- iowan" "nobody should be treated like a criminal for being who they are, being transgender is not a crime but thats how drury made her feel" from des moines claire stephanie: we were unable to get ahold of drury inn for comment. the civil rights commission will investigate the

. >> reporter: american civil liberties union opposes the courts, saying, quote: but the judge says she seen results, since the program started two years ago, the court says 92 out of 100 participants, successfully completed the program, got treatment and avoided prison. >> remember the choices that ended you up, and the choices you need to make. >> reporter: gomes credits the program with saving his life. >> if i did not end up in that program, i would be either dead or in prison right now. ♪ >> the president of the united states, the tell prompter just blocking the shot, but there are veterans from all wars who are still surviving there, many still from world war ii. but the sad thing is . . . >> -- and those of our veteran service organizations. as we march on the colors, the united states army band will play the national emblem march. please place your hand over your heart oren -- or render a salute. >> to finish the thought, those soldiers dying at roughly a thousand a day. ♪ >> please remained standing for prayer for all veterans. >> let us pray. all mighty god of veterans and nat

the american civil liberties union is suing indiana's refugees from resettling in his state. the equal constitution. that's because governor mike pence allows come to indiana. penne suspended syrian resettlement programs last week. iowa governor terry branstad took a similar action. pope francis today called for more compassion for the victms of today's wars, including syrian r rfugees. and he says this year's christmas will be, in his words, "a charade." the pope said holiday celebrations stand at odds with the fact that, again in his words, "the whole world is at war". he says "the world has not understood the way of peace." the pope also says wars only mean the ruin of many make money. the popp's message reers to a string of world, including the recent terrorist paris. police officer shooting a black teenager to death at close range will soon be made public. that officer, jason van dyke, is charged with first-degree murder in the death. he shot 17 year old laquan mcdonald 16 times a was reloading when another officer stopped hii. mcdonaldds family is asking for calm as the

well, the american civil liberties union filing a lawsuit against indiana governor mike pence because governor pence refused to allow syrian refugees to resettle in the state of indiana. the aclu going to court arguing that the move violates federal law and the u.s. constitution. pence is one of more than 25 governors who publicly called on the president to stop the resettlement of syrian refugees following the terrorist attacks in paris. governors cite concerns that islamic state terrorists could pose as refugees. we'll have much more later in the broadcast. we're coming right back. stay with us. >>> turkey shoots down a russian warplane. u.s. armed syrian rebels shoot down a rescue helicopter. direct military confrontations on the rise? where will it all lead? we take that up with ambassador robert jordan here next. >>> and a finnish stunt man discovered a way to make his skydiving more exhilarating. coming up after these messages. we'll be right back. ♪ i built my business with passion. but i keep it growing by making every dollar count. that's why i have the spark cash card from c

vanessa: the american civil liberties union of iowa says a black transgender woman's experience at a west des moines drury inn left her traumatized. >> this experience made her feel humiliated and it made her feel , like in iowa she doesn't have rights. vanessa: on tuesday the aclu of iowa filed a complaint with the claiming discrimination by the drury inn. the complaint says meagan taylor is a black transgender woman living in illinois. she and a friend who is also a black transgender woman stayed at the drury on the way to a funeral. on july 12 taylor checked into the hotel. taylor says it took an employee an hour to check in her while it took other guests just ten minutes. according to the complaint at some point during their stay drury staff called police to say taylor and her friend were engaging in prostitution, engaging in prostitution because they were men dressed as women. >> it's important to send a clear message not only to the drury but other businesses in iowa but also transgender people in iowa that they have rights. vanessa: taylor was arrested and charged with possess

the american civil liberties union even filing lawsuits in four states... here in iowa -- a-c-l-u legislative director dane schuman says innoncent people might be concerned information could fall into the wrong hands. "the main concern the aclu has with automated license plate readers, is what's done with the information after it's accumulated by law enforcement." but des moines police say the license plate reader is governed by iowa law -- invasion is minimal -- and information is erased after six months. "the problem that can arise is that the information is stored, archived and used to track movement of innoncent individuals who haven't done anything wrong over time." regardless of privacy concerns -- des moines police believe the benefits outweigh the treats -- recalling this incident (nats... on-air of virginia report) where a virginia reporter and photographer were killed -- and police found this man moments -- through the use of this technology. (nats... radio) "it all boils down to stopping and supressing crime. this is a great tool we have to do th

the legal director for the american civil liberties union, said that as far as i know, the french didn't lack some kind of authority that would have made a difference. when we have launched authority like in the paris attacks, they have often been abused. it would have made it more difficult to catch the attacks in france, but in a new online video, the cia director admits that he's concerned about protecting the american people. >> there has been a significant increase in the operational security in the number of these operatives and the terrorist networks, as they have gone to school on what it is they need to do to keep their activities concealed from the authorities. >> joining me now for a limit to the security is congresswoman, sheila jackson lee, a democrat from texas and a member of the committee on homeland security. welcome to the program, congresswoman. and has your committee been briefed since this new threat against washington d.c. was released by these groups? >> well, this is an ongoing process, and certainly, we have been briefed weeks before and continuously on the threa

american civil liberties unions opposes the court saying we should reinvest those resources toward diverting people out of the criminal justice system into community based public health programs. the judge said she's seeing results, since the program started two years ago says 92 out of 100 participants successfully completed the program, got treatment and avoided prison. >> gomes credits the program with saving his life. >> if i did not end up in that program, i would either be dead or in prison right now. >> instead, he says he's hoping to find a job, stay clean and out of jail, so he can spend more time with his daughter. rachel levin, al jazeera, orlando, florida. >> new york's attorney general orders daily fantasy sports websites to stop taking bets. >>> calls for greater security in afghanistan, thousands of people protesting the murders of minorities now want the president to resign. >> how toes of afghans are in the streets of kabul demanding government action after isil linked fighters slaughtered seven members of an ethnic minority, among the dead, women and a child. we have more o

ahilan arulanantham, an attorney for the american civil liberties union, began representing jessica last year as a plaintiff in a class action lawsuit brought by the a.c.l.u. and other groups against "o.r.r.," "immigration and customs enforcement", and the departments of justice and homeland security. >> the notion that a ten-year-old boy from el salvador, who can barely speak any english, can advance the constitutional arguments that trained lawyers who have gone to law school would make, in federal court, is absurd. >> reporter: the plaintiffs say requiring minors to appear in court whether they have a lawyer or not violates the constitution's fifth amendment right to due process. >> we're talking about children who have so much at stake, because so many of them are fleeing such severe violence and other forms of persecution, the government pays for a lawyer to prosecute the child. as a matter of fairness, we should ensure that the child has a lawyer as well. >> the lawsuit is frivolous. it's merely a political stunt. >> reporter: mark krikorian of washington's center for immigration s

the american civil liberties union even filing lawsuits in four states... here in iowa -- a-c-l-u legislative director dane schuman says innoncent people might be concerned information could fall into the wrong hands. "the main concern the aclu has with automated license plate readers, is what's done with the information after it's accumulateddby law enfororement." but des moines police sayyhe liense plate reder is governed by iowa law -- invasion is minimal -- and information is erased after six months. "the problem that can arise is that the information is track movement of innoncent individuals who haven't done anything wrong over time." regardless of privacy conceces -- des moines police believe the benefits outweigh the treats -- recalling this incident (nats... on-air of virginia report) where a virginia reporter and photographer were killed -- and police found this man moments -- through the use of this technology. (nats... radio) "it all boils down to stopping and supressing crime. this is a great tool we have to do that, and eliminate stolen cars o

the american civil liberties union even filing lawsuits in four states... here in iowa -- a-c-l-u legislative director dane schuman says innoncent people might be concerned information could fall into the wrong hands. "the main concern the aclu has with automated license plate readers, is what's done with the information after it's accumulated by law enforcement." but des moines police say the license plate reader is governed by iowa law -- invasion is minimal -- and information is erased after six months. "the problem that can arise is that the information is stored, archived and used to track movement of innoncent individuals who haven't done anything wrong over time." regardless of privacy concerns -- des moines police benefits outweigh the treats -- recalling this incident (nats... on-air of virginia report) where a virginia reporter and photographer were killed -- and police found this man moments -- through the use of this technology. (nats... radio) "it all boils down to stopping and supressing crime. this is a plate." we've got you covered in all of

amy: civil liberties advocates have questioned brennan's claims. jameel jaffer of the american civil liberties union said -- "as far as i know, there's no evidence the french lacked some kind of surveillance authority that would have made a difference. when we have invested new powers in the government in response to events like the paris attacks, they have often been abused," jaffer said. in the wake of friday's attacks in paris, governors of at least u.s. states have now said they 27 will not accept syrian refugees. a syrian passport which appears to be fake was found near the body of one of the paris attackers whose fingerprints , matched someone who passed through greece and the balkans. all attackers identified so far are european nationals. the obama administration has said it still plans to accept syrian refugees. state department spokesperson mark toner said the refugees are intensely vetted. >> these refugees are subject to the highest level of security checks of a category traveler to the united states. it is an interagency normal to agencies learning process that involves the national cou

. >> american civil liberties union, launches new app called mobile justice. people who videotape their encounters with police, allows them to get that video to the aclu if they feel their civil rights have been violatedment fox's tom fitzgerald takes a look how it works. >> the app operates by people opening it up and when they are stopped by police, they hit record, and that automatically up loads both video and audio to the aclu. if you want to file a complaint about how you were treated you can use the app to provide details about what you say happened. aclu says they will then decide whether or not to investigate. it is another feature on the app that let you see if anyone in your area is rolling on a police stop, allowing you to go to that location and start recording, also. now, the aclu says the idea is to protect individual's rights. however, the police union says they don't really have a problem with people recording officers, but they do not like what they see as a message here, and that message, they say, is that police are the bad guys. >> people'

the student said she just wants to be treated like everyone else, and the american civil liberties union said that's why she brought this lawsuit. >> they feel happy, they feel validated. they feel as though the thing that they wanted was for -- the thing that the family wanted was for their daughter to be recognized fully and to have an opportunity to participate fully in the high school experience. >> now, yanka said that the girl's parents have been supporting her 100% through this. and they tried negotiating with the district but didn't have much luck. and that's why this lawsuit was then brought. richelle some. >> what happens in the district now? >> at this point, the district is negotiating, there are on going talks between the district and the office of civil rights education. they have 30 days to respond or the office could take action against them. but at this point, the district said that it's sticking to its guns when it comes to this decision. >> we are fully believing that our position is both one that's the law, and one that provides reasonable accommodations to transgende

the american civil liberties union has filed a lawsuit against the governor of indiana for suspending programs that help re-settle syrian refugees in his state. republican mike pence stopped accepting syrians in the wake of the paris attacks. the federal lawsuit was filed on behalf of the non-profit "exodus refugee immigration". in indianapolis, its executive director argued it's illegal for states to ban refugees based on their nationality. >> i really think it is completely misguided because refugees are admitted into the u.s. they are legal persons here and they have the freedom of movement just like anyone else so they can go to any state in the union that they choose. >> woodruff: at the same time, the canadian government today unveiled a plan to accept 25,000 syrian refugees by the end of february. the country's new president, justin trudeau, hasn't backed down from the pledge he made before the paris attacks, and he promised the screening process would be vigorous. the state of kentucky has restored voting rights to thousands of non-violent felons who have already served out th

american civil liberties unions opposes the court saying we should reinvest those resources toward diverting people out of the criminal justice system into community based public health programs. the judge said she's seeing results, since the program started two years ago says 92 out of 100 participants successfully completed the program, got treatment and avoided prison. >> gomes credits the program with saving his life. >> if i did not end up in that program, i would either be dead or in prison right now. >> instead, he says he's hoping to find a job, stay clean and out of jail, so he can spend more time with his daughter. rachel levin, al jazeera, orlando, florida. >> should confederate veterans be remembered today. that is the controversy ahead of a parade in the accident. they have marched in the parade in austin for more than a decade. this year they face opposition, members of the group are not backing down. >> if we take down the confederate flag because it's been misused by hate groups, the history books will write it's a hate crime and it's not. the sons of confederate visions has

prior to joining the department of justice, you served as deputy legal director for the american civil liberties union and director for its center for justice. and prior to that, you were an attorney for the racial justice program. and prior to that you served as a lawyer for the naacp legal defense and education fund. so, i'm just saying that you come from a background that indicates an aggressiveness in these cases. civil rights division can fulfill an important role. i've seen attorneys. i've worked with them in a grand jury, investigating police. and the goal is -- it must be -- to obtain truth and find out what the real facts are. so, let's talk about this bit here. first, i talked to an experienced law enforcement officer in alabama. he says the kind of problems that we're seeing and the legal actions that have been taken and the marches and protests about police do have the tendency to tell people, as he said, to stay under the shade tree and not walk the streets like community-based policing that you advocate promotes. we won't go into the details about it. but i truly believe community-based

. >> and you are joining the department of justice you served with the american civil liberties union and director for its center for justice and prior to that you were an attorney for the racial justice program and prior to that you served as a lawyer for the naacp legal defense and education fund. so i just say that you come from a background that indicates an aggressiveness in these cases. civil rights division can fulfill an important role. i've seen attorneys, i've worked with them in a grand jury investigating police, and the goal is -- and must be to obtain truth and find out what the real facts are. so, let's talk about this a bit here. first i talked to an experience law enforcement officer in alabama who said -- he said the kind of problems that we're seeing and the legal actions that have been taken, and the marches and protests about police do have the tendency to cause people, as he said, to stay under the shade tree. and not walk the streets like community-based policing that you advocate promotes. we won't go into the details about it. but i truly believe community-base

prior to joining the department of justice, you served as deputy legal director for the american civil liberties uniond director for its center for justice. and prior to that, you were an attorney for the racial justice program. and prior to that you served as a lawyer for the naacp legal defense and education fund. so, i'm just saying that you come from a background that indicates an aggressiveness in these cases. civil rights division can fulfill an important role. i've seen attorneys. i've worked with them in a grand jury, investigating police. and the goal is -- it must be -- to obtain truth and find out what the real facts are. so, let's talk about this abit here. first, i talked to an experienced law enforcement officer in alabama. he says the kind of problems that we're seeing and the legal actions that have been taken and the marches and protests about police do have the tendency to tell people, as he said, to stay under the shade tree and not walk the streets like community-based policing that you advocate promotes. we won't go into the details about it. but i truly believe community-based po

americans are safe right now? >> first we have to put political correctness aside. here in the united states itself shouldn't have groups like civil liberties union and "new york times" attacking nypd when they have surveillance of muslim communities. throughout history, when there was mafia you surveiled italian communities. when it was westties, you surveiled irish communities. there is a threat coming from the muslim communities in this country. 99% of the people may be patriotic. the fact a threat is many coming from the communities. they don't always cooperate with the police. i have seen it in my district, four or five al qaeda operatives were arrested and they were not cooperating. >> profile something needed in your view? >> i would call it common sense policing if you're looking for muslim terrorists you look in muslim neighborhoods. you don't look in irish neighborhoods or italian neighborhoods of the you look where the threat comes from. that is common sense. racial profiling means you look at certain race or religion that they might carry out a crime. if they're self-identified muslim terrorists you look in muslim communities. that ma

well, the american civil liberties union filing a lawsuit against indiana governor mike pence because governor pence refused to allow