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. For all press inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Dec 16, 2020

ACLU-DC Statement on Selection of Next D.C. Police Chief

The ACLU of the District of Columbia called for D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to create an open and inclusive process for the selection of the next chief of the Metropolitan Police Department and recommended a nationwide search for the candidate.
Oct 20, 2020

D.C. Police Union Attempts to Block Body-Worn Camera Footage in Effort to Skirt Public Accountability

The D.C. police union is suing the District of Columbia after being ordered to release body-worn camera footage and officer names from officer-involved killings and use of force. The ACLU-DC, Lawyers' Committee, and others support the District's motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
Oct 14, 2020

ACLU-DC Files Complaint on Behalf of Demonstrator Injured By Military Helicopters Used to Intimidate Racial Justice Demonstrators

The complaint, filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act on behalf of Dzhuliya Dashtamirova, a 23-year old woman who suffered injuries as a result of the maneuver, asserts the National Guard’s actions that evening was an assault.
Issue Areas: Freedom of Speech and Association, Police Practices and Police Misconduct, National Security/War on Terror
Court Cases: Dashtamirova v. United States
Sep 03, 2020

ACLU Statement on the Police Killing of Deon Kay

“The D.C. police department’s approach to gun recovery has been dangerous and ineffective for years. The tragic shooting and death of 18-year-old Deon Kay is the logical conclusion of a policy that not only meets violence with violence, but actually escalates and incites it."
Sep 03, 2020

ACLU STATEMENT ON THE POLICE KILLING OF DEON KAY

"The D.C. police department’s approach to gun recovery has been dangerous and ineffective for years. The tragic shooting and death of 18-year-old Deon Kay is the logical conclusion of a policy that not only meets violence with violence, but actually escalates and incites it."
Jun 25, 2020

ACLU Urges House of Representatives to Vote “Yes” on D.C. Statehood

The bill would grant statehood to the residential areas of the current District of Columbia as the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, and defines the reduced federal territory that would continue to serve as the seat of the federal government.
Issue Areas: D.C. Statehood
Jun 25, 2020

ACLU-DC Comment on Judiciary Committee Budget Vote

The Judiciary Committee also took some steps to undo unwarranted increases to MPD’s budget, but it’s far from enough.