Youth/Childrens' Rights

The extent to which we protect the constitutional rights of young people strongly influences how much they respect and understand those rights as adults. As the Supreme Court noted in an early student rights case, “That [schools] are educating the young for citizenship is reason for scrupulous protection of Constitutional freedoms of the individual, if we are not to strangle the free mind at its source and teach youth to discount important principles of our government as mere platitudes.” The ACLU works to educate young people about their rights and safeguard those rights in public schools and other settings.

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The extent to which we protect the constitutional rights of young people strongly influences how much they respect and understand those rights as adults. As the Supreme Court noted in an early student rights case, “That [schools] are educating the young for citizenship is reason for scrupulous protection of Constitutional freedoms of the individual, if we are not to strangle the free mind at its source and teach youth to discount important principles of our government as mere platitudes.” The ACLU works to educate young people about their rights and safeguard those rights in public schools and other settings.

The Latest

Resource
A diverse group of young people march and hold protest signs reading “Education shapes our future,” “Stand for change,” “Every voice matters,” and “Empower the youth.” One person speaks through a megaphone. The image includes an artistic collage featuring the Statue of Liberty, the Washington, D.C. flag, and bold green geometric shapes against a dark blue background.

Know Your Rights At School In D.C.

You don’t lose your rights just because you enter a school!
Press Release
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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.
Issue Areas: Freedom of Speech and Association, Racial Justice, Youth/Childrens' Rights
News & Commentary
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“Police-Free Schools” Means Committing to D.C. Students’ Health and Safety

The #PoliceFreeSchools campaign is about creating a healthy school environment that’s conducive to learning for all students. It’s time for a different approach, and we hope District leaders will continue to listen to young people and to prioritize the investments needed to achieve real safety.
News & Commentary
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What’s Next for the D.C. Council? Issues We’re Watching This Year

Oversight season is underway at the D.C. Council, and the ACLU-D.C. is closely following bills dealing with criminal code reform, police accountability, youth justice, and economic justice. Here are a few of them!
Legislation
Feb 12, 2026

Performance Oversight Testimony for the Department of Parks and Recreation

The American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia (ACLU-D.C.) believes that empowering our young residents to lead healthy, productive lives will help make our communities safer, stronger, and more resilient. Relying on outdated approaches to public safety—such as over-policing and over-incarceration—is ineffective and does not make our communities safer. Instead, D.C. must prioritize systems and programs that support our communities, provide holistic security, and invest in the incredible potential of our youth in D.C.
Status: Performance Oversight
Position: Oversight Testimony
Legislation
Feb 11, 2026

Performance Oversight Testimony for the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services and Office of the Attorney General

The American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia (ACLU-D.C.) believes that relying on outdated approaches to public safety—such as over-policing and over-incarceration—is ineffective and does not make our communities safer. Instead, D.C. must prioritize systems and programs that provide holistic security and support our communities. We believe this approach will make our communities safer, and help the District’s young residents grow into healthy, successful adults.
Status: Performance Oversight
Position: Oversight Testimony
Legislation
Oct 17, 2019

Bill 23-291, the Detained Youth Access to the Juvenile Services Program Amendment Act of 2019

ACLU-DC testimony in support of the Detained Youth Access to the Juvenile Services Program Amendment Act of 2019.
Status: Active
Position: Support
Legislation
Jan 25, 2018

Bill 22-189, the “Drug-Related Nuisance Abatement Act of 2017"

This proposed amendment will only exacerbate the negative impact to communities of DC’s existing Nuisance Abatement Law, which is problematic in both its scope and enforcement.
Position: Problematic