Press Releases

ACLU-D.C. lawyers and advocates are among the nation's leading experts on civil liberties and constitutional freedoms. They are regularly sought out by leading broadcast, print and online media to lend an essential voice to the conversation about some of the most important issues facing the nation and the District.

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May 26, 2026

Demonstrators Ask Judge to Affirm their Right to Display Anti-Trump Signs Unlawfully Censored as “Obscene”

Motion for preliminary injunction challenges unlawful censorship of signs that call attention to alleged sexual misconduct by President Trump
Issue Areas: Freedom of Speech and Association
Court Cases: Accountability NOW USA v. Griess, et al. – Defending the Right to Display Signs Accusing President Trump of Sex Crimes
Apr 23, 2026

Anti-Trump Demonstrators Sue Over First Amendment Violation Based on False Obscenity Claims

National Park Service unlawfully targeted demonstration signs that call attention to alleged sexual misconduct by President Trump.
Issue Areas: Freedom of Speech and Association
Oct 23, 2025

Demonstrator Sues after Being Handcuffed and Detained for Playing the Star Wars “Imperial March” Theme to Protest National Guard Members in D.C.  

Complaint details how the man was tightly handcuffed and prevented from exercising his First Amendment rights 
Issue Areas: Freedom of Speech and Association
May 21, 2024

Court Orders D.C. Transit Authority to Accept and Run Unconsitutionally Rejected Ads

U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia today ordered the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (“WMATA”) to accept and run four advertisements that it had unconstitutionally rejected. The court ruled that WMATA’s ban on issue ads violates the First Amendment
Issue Areas: Freedom of Speech and Association
May 08, 2024

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
Apr 25, 2024

ACLU-D.C. Statement on Student Demonstrations

"The freedom to share diverse views and spark robust debate about political issues is essential to democracy, social justice, and progress — especially in times of national and global crisis. School should be a place where ideas are exchanged freely and debate is encouraged."
Issue Areas: Freedom of Speech and Association
Apr 24, 2024

Student club sues Jackson-Reed High School for unconstitutional censorship of pro-Palestinian speech

“Our school is teaching us the wrong lesson: that we should shy away from discussing critical issues when other people may disagree with us.”
Issue Areas: Freedom of Speech and Association
Dec 12, 2023

Lawsuit Challenges D.C. Transit Authority for Violating the First Amendment

The case against WMATA is a critical reminder of what’s at stake when government entities exercise selective censorship. The First Amendment doesn’t play favorites; it ensures that all voices, regardless of their message, have the r
Issue Areas: Freedom of Speech and Association
Jun 23, 2023

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.
Issue Areas: Criminal Justice Reform, Racial Justice, Police Practices and Police Misconduct, Freedom of Speech and Association