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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Aug 28, 2023

D.C. Department of Corrections Stops Denying Kosher Meals to Jewish Residents of the D.C. Jail

The D.C. Department of Corrections has revised its religious diet policy in response to a lawsuit brought by the ACLU of the District of Columbia on behalf of Riley Benjamin, a Jewish resident.
Issue Areas: Religious Liberty, Criminal Justice Reform, Equal Protection and Discrimination
Aug 10, 2023

ACLU-D.C. Files Religious Freedom Lawsuit Against the D.C. Department of Corrections

ACLU-D.C. sues D.C. Department of Corrections, challenging the denial of kosher meals to Jewish inmates without external faith verification, violating religious rights.
Issue Areas: Religious Liberty, Criminal Justice Reform, Equal Protection and Discrimination
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
May 25, 2023

ACLU-DC Statement on President Biden vetoing attempt to block D.C. police bill

"As we celebrate President Biden’s veto, we also renew our commitment to making D.C. the 51st state.”
Issue Areas: Criminal Justice Reform, D.C. Statehood, Voting Rights
Mar 2, 2023

ACLU-D.C. Statement on President Biden's Signaling to Overturn Local D.C. Criminal Code Law

President Biden's support to overturn the Revised Criminal Code Act undermines D.C.'s fight for statehood and maintaining home rule.
Issue Areas: Criminal Justice Reform, D.C. Statehood, Racial Justice
Feb 14, 2023

St. Elizabeths Hospital Settles Case with Patients Who Endured Life Threatening Conditions During Water Crisis and COVID-19

“This settlement will help ensure that the government meets its constitutional obligation to provide a safe environment for the patients of St. Elizabeths.”
Issue Areas: Due Process/Procedural Rights, Criminal Justice Reform, Disability Rights
Feb 7, 2023

ACLU-D.C. urges Congress to respect the District’s autonomy and revised criminal code

We strongly urge Congress to respect the District of Columbia’s decision to pass the Revised Criminal Code Act (RCCA), and to vote no on any resolution or rider that undermines the ability of District residents to make our laws and manage our tax dollars.
Issue Areas: D.C. Statehood, Criminal Justice Reform
Feb 5, 2023

ACLU-D.C. SEEKS SYSTEMATIC PREVENTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY AFTER ANOTHER PERSON DIES IN POLICE CUSTODY

Yesterday, the Metropolitan Police Department reported the death of Marquez Parker, who passed away on February 2 while in police custody at a Northwest District holding cell.
Issue Areas: Criminal Justice Reform, Police Practices and Police Misconduct
Feb 1, 2023

ACLU-D.C. Calls on the D.C. Council to Disband the Metropolitan Police Department’s Gun Recovery Unit

“In the wake of police killings of Black people, including Tyre Nichols in Memphis, the ACLU-D.C. calls on the D.C. Council to disband the Metropolitan Police Department’s unaccountable and dangerous Gun Recovery Unit (GRU)."
Issue Areas: Criminal Justice Reform