Spokesperson

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Christopher Peterson

Legal Director

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Media Contact

Communications Department, [email protected]

LAS VEGAS — The ACLU of Nevada represents two Durango High School students who were attacked by Clark County School District Police in February in an incident that was caught on camera. Recent news coverage reports that the school district is refusing to release bodycam footage and other records to the news press, and this is also true for the ACLU of Nevada.

ACLU of Nevada legal director Chris Peterson released the following statement:
“CCSD police have repeatedly and falsely suggested our clients were involved with guns in order to justify their officers violently attacking and detaining our clients without cause. Our clients demand this slander cease and that the bodycam footage be released immediately. Even though we have stated multiple times to the public and the District that we represent the young men attacked during the incident, CCSD rejected the ACLU of Nevada’s request for these public records. Considering how quickly police release footage when it is in their favor, this is unacceptable and violates Nevada’s Public Records Act. The body-worn camera footage should be released immediately. If the requested records are not released within the next 30 days, we will be taking this matter to court.”

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ACLU of Nevada v. Clark County School District

In February, Durango High School students were attacked by CCSD police, and video of the incident was captured by a bystander. CCSD continues to stonewall the release of public records related to the incident. The ACLU of Nevada is representing two of the students attacked in the incident. The ACLU of Nevada filed for a writ of mandamus in a Clark County court in order to force the Clark County School District to release records that the civil rights nonprofit is entitled to. A writ of mandamus is a legal action meant to compel a government actor to follow the law. In February, Durango High School students were attacked by CCSD police for recording officers in the community. Video of the incident captured by a bystander has been shared widely throughout Nevada — including before the Legislature — but despite persistent requests from the news media and others, the school district continues to stonewall the release of public records related to the incident, such as body-worn camera footage and incident reports. Even the ACLU of Nevada, which is representing two teenagers who were attacked in the incident, has been denied the records. In March, the ACLUNV announced it was giving the school district 30 days to comply with the law or the nonprofit would file legal action. CCSD has failed to produce the records for the teenagers’ attorneys. UPDATE: On December 9, 2025, the Nevada Supreme Court held oral arguments. Decision is now pending.
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