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 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
May 21, 2024

Court Orders D.C. Transit Authority to Accept and Run Unconsitutionally Rejected Ads

U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia today ordered the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (“WMATA”) to accept and run four advertisements that it had unconstitutionally rejected. The court ruled that WMATA’s ban on issue ads violates the First Amendment
Issue Areas: Freedom of Speech and Association
May 20, 2024

ACLU-D.C. Names Scarlett Aldebot Policy Advocacy Director

The American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia (ACLU-D.C.) named Scarlett Aldebot as the organization's new Policy Advocacy Director. Aldebot joins a staff of nearly two dozen people working to protect and expand civil liberties and civil rights in Washington, D.C.
May 08, 2024

Interim Agreement Reached for Arab Student Union in Pro-Palestinian Speech Censorship Case at D.C. High School

The Arab Student Union (ASU) at Jackson-Reed High School withdrew its request for emergency court action this morning in exchange for key concessions by the school in the case of challenging the unlawful censorship of the student club's pro-Palestinian speech.
Issue Areas: Freedom of Speech and Association, Racial Justice, Youth/Childrens' Rights
May 06, 2024

Class-Action Lawsuit Challenges Discriminatory Post-Conviction Supervision System in Washington, D.C.

The case seeks important and federally mandated reforms, including the implementation of a system that proactively assesses the necessary reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities under supervision.
Apr 25, 2024

ACLU-D.C. Statement on Student Demonstrations

"The freedom to share diverse views and spark robust debate about political issues is essential to democracy, social justice, and progress — especially in times of national and global crisis. School should be a place where ideas are exchanged freely and debate is encouraged."
Issue Areas: Freedom of Speech and Association
Apr 24, 2024

Student club sues Jackson-Reed High School for unconstitutional censorship of pro-Palestinian speech

“Our school is teaching us the wrong lesson: that we should shy away from discussing critical issues when other people may disagree with us.”
Issue Areas: Freedom of Speech and Association
Apr 03, 2024

ACLU-D.C. Reacts to the Introduction of Mayor Bowser's Budget Proposal

"It’s time that District leaders got serious about safety and started investing in solutions that can prevent crime, violence, and abuse of power before they ever happen."
Mar 06, 2024

ACLU-D.C. Reacts to the Passage of the Secure DC Omnibus Amendment Act

"Moving forward, we will be carefully watching every step of how the Secure DC Act is implemented. And the ACLU-D.C. will continue to educate our communities about the rights we have and what to do if those rights have been violated.”