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]

Nov 19, 2021

ACLU-DC Responds to Verdict in Kyle Rittenhouse Case

The ACLU-DC will continue to defend and advance that right to ensure that all protestors’ voices can be heard without fear of violence.
Issue Areas: Freedom of Speech and Association, Equal Protection and Discrimination
Apr 26, 2021

D.C. to Pay $1.6 Million to Settle Claims from 2017 Inauguration Day Demonstrations

The ACLU-DC, the Law Office of Jeffrey Light, and the District of Columbia filed court papers stating the District will pay $1.6 million to settle two demonstrators’ rights lawsuit, which were filed on behalf of journalists, legal observers, and demonstrators who protested the 2017 Inauguration.
Issue Areas: Freedom of Speech and Association, Police Practices and Police Misconduct
Court Cases: Horse v. District of Columbia - Challenging Mass Arrests, Excessive Force, and Unconstitutional Detention Conditions as to Anti-Inaguration Demonstrators
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
Oct 28, 2019

Trump Administration Drops Unconstitutional Anti-Protest Proposal

The ACLU and ACLU-DC had led a months-long campaign against the unconstitutional proposal.
Issue Areas: Freedom of Speech and Association
Sep 27, 2019

Federal Court Rules ACLU-DC Lawsuit on Behalf of Inauguration Day Protestors May Proceed

The core of the ACLU-DC's case will proceed, including at least one claim about each of the types of misconduct our clients experienced that day: mass arrest, excessive force, injurious handcuffing, denial of detainees’ basic needs, and an intrusive search.
Issue Areas: Freedom of Speech and Association
Court Cases: Horse v. District of Columbia - Challenging Mass Arrests, Excessive Force, and Unconstitutional Detention Conditions as to Anti-Inaguration Demonstrators
Jan 03, 2018

ACLU-DC Names 27 D.C. Police Officers and Adds 10-Year-Old Boy as Plaintiff in Inauguration Day Lawsuit

The amended complaint names 27 D.C. police officer defendants and adds two plaintiffs: a 10-year-old boy from North Carolina and his mother, who were peacefully demonstrating when he was knocked down and they were both exposed to pepper spray by D.C. officers.
Issue Areas: Criminal Justice Reform, Police Practices and Police Misconduct, Freedom of Speech and Association
Court Cases: Horse v. District of Columbia - Challenging Mass Arrests, Excessive Force, and Unconstitutional Detention Conditions as to Anti-Inaguration Demonstrators