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]

Jun 13, 2019

In Response to Request for Race Data on Traffic Stops, D.C. Police Point to 31,000 Videos

In response to a Freedom of Information Act request filed by the ACLU-DC seeking race data on traffic stops, the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department has replied that the information can only be found by viewing 31,000 body-worn camera videos.
Issue Areas: Police Practices and Police Misconduct, Racial Justice
May 30, 2019

ACLU Endorses Statehood for the District of Columbia

The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of the District of Columbia today announced its official endorsement of H.R. 51 and S. 631, the Washington D.C. Admission Act, which would grant full voting representation, self-government, and equal civic participation for D.C.
Issue Areas: D.C. Statehood, Voting Rights
Apr 29, 2019

ACLU-DC Sues D.C. Police Officer for Warrantless Search of Grieving Mother’s Backyard

The incident has exacerbated Ms. Price's feelings of anxiety and fear of the police, making it hard for her to sleep or feel safe in her home.
Mar 07, 2019

ACLU-DC Calls on DOJ Inspector General to Investigate Inauguration Day Prosecutions Led by Trump Justice Department Nominee Jessie Liu

Today, the ACLU of the District of Columbia sent a letter to Michael Horowitz, Inspector General for the Department of Justice, calling for an investigation of the prosecutions of more than 200 political demonstrators by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Feb 06, 2019

ACLU-DC Statement Regarding Transfer of Gun Possession Cases from Superior to Federal Court

Mayor Bowser is delivering a slap in the face to D.C. residents, who have no representation in Congress, by ignoring their representatives’ criminal-justice policy choices in favor of a federal system that D.C. residents had no voice in crafting.
Jan 22, 2019

ACLU-DC Commends D.C. Council for Voting to Override Mayor Bowser’s Veto of Fare Evasion Decriminalization Bill

The bill passed the Council by a 10-2 vote on December 4, 2018, but Mayor Muriel Bowser vetoed the bill on January 16, 2019. Today’s vote overrode that veto.
Jan 17, 2019

ACLU-DC Condemns Mayor Bowser’s Veto of Fare Evasion Decriminalization Bill

We call on the D.C. Council to quickly vote to override the Mayor’s harmful veto, and in so doing, demonstrate a commitment to ending the unnecessary and excessive criminalization of D.C. residents for low-level offenses.
Dec 19, 2018

Court Rules Trump Policies Denying Asylum Protections to People Fleeing Domestic and Gang Violence Are Illegal

A federal court has struck down Trump administration policies that sought to gut asylum protections for immigrants fleeing domestic violence and gang brutality.
Issue Areas: Women's Rights/Gender Equity, Immigrants' Rights
Dec 06, 2018

ACLU-DC Settles Case Against D.C. Police Officer for Anal Search During Stop and Frisk

M.B. Cottingham, the 40-year-old District resident who was subjected to an unconstitutional and exceedingly invasive bodily search by Metropolitan Police Department officer Sean Lojacono in September 2017, has agreed to settle his lawsuit against the officer for an undisclosed amount.
Issue Areas: Criminal Justice Reform, Police Practices and Police Misconduct, Racial Justice