In cities and towns across the United States, laws have been enacted that essentially punishes domestic violence victims for calling the police. Sometimes referred to as "nuisance ordinances" or "crime-free ordinances," the laws limits victims of domestic abuse to a certain number of calls before the police are forced by these laws to contact the landlord where the victim lives, to have the victim evicted. It has been found that enforcement of the laws disproportionately targeted African-American neighborhoods. The result, people of color, were less able to access police protection. These laws are in direct violation of the First Amendment right to petition their government, which includes the right to contact law enforcement. They also violate two other federal acts. Thanks ACLU!



