ACLU looking at suit against Calabasas

The city of Calabasas could be slapped with a freedom-of-speech lawsuit unless it reverses a policy of barring grant funds from those who sue the city, the ACLU announced Monday.Dana Bartholomew in the Daily News.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California called the city's policy discriminatory and said it violates the First Amendment.

The group warned the city in a letter that unless it repeals the policy, Calabasas will likely face a lawsuit and a possible federal court injunction.

"There is no reason to bar a group from obtaining city funding based on past or pending litigation," said Peter Eliasberg, an ACLU managing attorney. "That comes dangerously close to a loyalty test." He added that the policy strikes at the heart of a First Amendment right to allow people to petition over their grievances, with access to the courts a part of that right.