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 06, 2024

ACLU-D.C. responds to federal election results and their impact on D.C.

Today, we brace ourselves for what is to come when President-elect Donald Trump and anti-D.C. members of Congress take office. We will not mince words: a second Trump Administration and an anti-D.C. Congress are a grave threat to our rights and self-governance in the District.
Issue Areas: D.C. Statehood
Sep 17, 2024

ACLU-D.C. Responds to MPD Statement About Stop and Frisk Data

"District leaders need to rethink how stop-and-frisk practices impact community trust and public safety. It's time to adopt a policing approach that effectively serves all residents.”
Sep 16, 2024

New ACLU Report on D.C. Stop-and-Frisk Data Reveals Racial Disparities Consistent with Racial Bias

“Instead of leaning into harmful and ineffective policing, the District should build a public safety system that protects us from bias, increases trust in government, and keeps all our communities safe.”
Sep 10, 2024

Lawsuit Challenging Armed Police Response to Mental Health Emergencies in Washington, D.C. to Proceed

“This ruling moves us one step closer to bringing essential, life-saving emergency mental health care to D.C. communities."
Issue Areas: Disability Rights
Aug 09, 2024

Appeals Court Rules D.C. Police Cannot Hold Personal Property for Unreasonable Amount of Time

“These cases show the importance of this principle, as they involve officers retaining property seized from people arrested (though not charged) after racial justice protests. The officers’ conduct not only constituted an abuse of power but also threatened to chill free expression.”
Jul 05, 2024

Judge Denies Claims Against Federal Officials for Police Attack on Civil Rights Demonstrators Near White House

“This decision underscores a troubling trend of courts shielding high-ranking officials, like former Attorney General William Barr, from accountability for violating the public’s most basic rights."
Jul 01, 2024

Supreme Court Grants Trump Broad Immunity for Official Acts, Placing Presidents Above the Law

The Supreme Court today ruled that former President Trump is at least presumptively immune from criminal liability for his official acts, and is absolutely immune for some “core” of them — including his attempts to use the Justice Department to obstruct the results of the election.
Jun 12, 2024

Immigrants’ Rights Groups Sue Biden Administration Over New Anti-Asylum Rule

Immigrants’ rights groups today sued the Biden administration over the president’s proclamation and a new rule that severely restricts asylum and puts thousands of lives at risk.
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights