Racial Justice
Despite enormous progress, the promise of fair and equal treatment for people of color remains elusive. The ACLU is committed to combating racism and racial discrimination.
Despite enormous progress, the promise of fair and equal treatment for people of color remains elusive. The ACLU is committed to combating racism and racial discrimination.
The Latest
Interim Agreement Reached for Arab Student Union in Pro-Palestinian Speech Censorship Case at D.C. High School
The Arab Student Union (ASU) at Jackson-Reed High School withdrew its request for emergency court action this morning in exchange for key concessions by the school in the case of challenging the unlawful censorship of the student club's pro-Palestinian speech.
Lawsuit Challenges Unequal Response to Mental Health Emergencies in Washington, DC
We’re representing Bread for the City in a federal lawsuit challenging the District’s practice of sending police to mental health emergencies instead of mental health professionals.
COURT OF APPEALS DENIES CONSTITUTIONAL CLAIMS AGAINST FEDERAL OFFICIALS FOR POLICE ATTACK ON CIVIL RIGHTS DEMONSTRATORS NEAR WHITE HOUSE
The Court is blocking us from holding federal officials responsible for attacking me and other demonstrators when we exercised our right to protest police brutality and racism.
Cases, Campaigns & Legislation
Mar 26, 2025
STAINNAK V. TRUMP – CHALLENGING PURGE OF DEI-ASSOCIATED FEDERAL WORKERS AS DISCRIMINATORY AND RETALIATORY FOR PERCEIVED POLITICAL BELIEFS
Federal employees filed a complaint against the Trump administration for targeting workers, especially people of color, women, and non-binary workers, for participating in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities, violating their First Amendment rights.
Aug 12, 2021
Asinor v. District of Columbia – Challenging Use of Chemical Irritants and Less-Lethal Projectiles Against Demonstrators and Journalists
The ACLU-DC filed a lawsuit on behalf of two photojournalists against the District of Columbia and 8 D.C. Metropolitan Police Department officers for unleashing chemical irritants and stun grenades one month after the D.C. Council instilled a ban on the use of these weapons during demonstrations.
May 12, 2021
Kirton v. Mayorkas – Challenging Overly an Narrow Interpretation of Federal Employment Discrimination Law
Alicia Kirton, a FEMA budget analyst, was denied full-time telework status even though her work could be done remotely and a white man with the same job had been granted telework status for years.
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