News Archive
6.13.10
40 Years of Pride, 90 Years of Protecting Liberty
2010 was the 40th year for Boston Pride -- and the 90th anniversary of the American Civil Liberties Union. We're proud of the whole range of the ACLU's work over the last nine decades, but this week we're especially proud of the ACLU's work for LGBT rights.
Blog | Facebook: Photo Album 1 Album 2 | LGBT issues page
Podcasts:
Let Constance Go to the Prom
"Let Constance take her girlfriend to the prom! Let Constance take her girlfriend to the prom!" Have you heard this rallying cry?
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
The Obama Administration has decided to change policy and right a longstanding wrong.
Action:
Support the Transgender Civil Rights Bill
Send a message to your legislators urging them to take action on a bill that will make the protection of transgender people explicit, uniform, and visible to the general public.
6.8.10
District Judge Denies Motion to Dismiss Case on Videotaping Boston Police
Read our blog
6.4.10
Vassell Wins in Hampshire Superior Court
Case of UMass Amherst student who faced charges with potential for a 30-year sentence to have charges dismissed.
News Release
6.3.10
Why a National Popular Vote is Good for Democracy
Yesterday the Massachusetts House voted 113 to 35 to support adoption of a national popular vote in Massachusetts. Read the blog by our executive director Carol Rose to find out why the ACLU supports this idea.
5.27.10
John Lewis Receives ACLU of Massachusetts' Highest Honor
At the 2010 Bill of Rights Dinner, civil rights hero and U.S. Representative John Lewis received the Roger Baldwin Award -- our highest honor, named for the Massachusetts-born founder of the ACLU. Rep. Lewis couldn't join us because he had to stay in Washington arguing for the repeal of the discriminatory "don't ask, don't tell" policy on the House floor that evening, but you can watch Rep. John Lewis' address on our video page.
5.17.10
The latest issue of the ACLU of Massachusetts newsletter, The Docket, is in the mail now to our members statewide
An electronic copy is available online, along with live links to online resources mentioned in the articles. Be sure to join our email list as well.
5.12.10
ACLU, Others Challenge Arizona Racial Profiling Law
News Release | Background | Podcast: Passport to Jail | Take Action
4.29.10
Appeals Court Grants Access to Prison Double-Bunking Documents
Doubling-up in cells led to increased tension and fear among prisoners and staff, and resulted in a higher level of violence.
News Release | Legal Documents and Background
4.26.10
ICE Imprisons Sri Lankan Torture Survivor More Than 21 Months in Boston
ACLU files suit asking for immediate release of man granted asylum in U.S. more than a year ago.
News Release | Legal Documents and Background
4.26.10
Support the Transgender Civil Rights Bill
Send a message to your legislators urging them to take action on a bill that will make the protection of transgender people explicit, uniform, and visible to the general public.
3.30.10
With Ban Lifted, Prominent Scholar to Speak at Harvard
Professor Adam Habib no longer denied visa because of his political views.
News Release | Blog | Boston Globe coverage | Podcast
3.23.10
Court Allows Trafficking Victims' Lawsuit To Continue
News Release | Judge's Decision | Blog
3.11.10
SJC Rules Against Warrantless Search of Homeless Shelter
ACLU of Massachusetts applauds state Supreme Court decision prohibiting police searches of homeless shelters without occupants' consent or a warrant.
News Release | SJC Decision
3.03.10
Marijuana Decriminalization in Massachusetts
The ACLU of Massachusetts opposes the enactment of local marijuana laws meant to circumvent the passage of Question 2 in 2008
Statement
2.12.10
ACLU and Amnesty International Question State Oversight of Tasers
Letter cites expanded police use of electronic weapons in Massachusetts despite increased concern for safety.
News Release
2.1.10
ACLU Challenges Arrest for Use of Cell Phone to Capture Police Misconduct
ACLU says arrest was unlawful and violated First Amendment right to record.
News Release | Legal Complaint | Cell phone video that prompted arrest
1.29.10
The ACLU of Massachusetts mourns the passing of Howard Zinn, a true friend of civil rights and civil liberties for all people.
Blog entry
1.20.10
State Department Ends Unconstitutional Exclusion Of Blacklisted Scholars From U.S.
Professors Adam Habib And Tariq Ramadan Likely To Be Readmitted To United States, Says ACLU
News Release
12.24.09
Dispelling Holiday Myths and Celebrating Our Freedoms
The ACLU believes strongly in religious freedom and in everyone's right to celebrate in their own way.
Holiday Season 2009 Links
12.02.09
ACLU Asks Court On Thursday To Ensure Reproductive Health Care For Women Trafficked Into The United States
News Release | Legal Brief
11.30.09
Senate Candidates Offer Support for Civil Liberties
ACLU of Massachusetts questionnaire to U.S. Senate contenders examines issues such as domestic surveillance, freedom of choice, death penalty.
News Release | U.S. Senate Questionnaire Results
11.17.09
Transportation Security Agency Violated Rights of Rastafarian Baggage Screener at Logan Airport
ACLU says TSA cared more about appearance of its client than safety.
News Release | Interim Decision
11.10.09
ACLU Condemns Efforts at Censorship at UMass, Calls upon Governor Patrick to Uphold Free Speech
The ACLU of Massachusetts applauds efforts by student and faculty leaders at the University of Massachusetts Amherst to ensure that a planned talk by Raymond Luc Levasseur goes forward despite calls for censorship.
News Release
11.4.09
SJC To Consider Challenge to Broad Police Power to Search
ACLU argues that authority to conduct searches in absence of a lawful stop reduces constitutional protections in minority neighborhoods
News Release | Amicus Brief
11.2.09
SJC Weighs Case on Rights of Journalists and Community Activists
ACLU supports reporter's appeal, argues community journalists should be protected under state "anti-SLAPP" law
News Release | Amicus Brief
10.29.09
New Boston Restaurant Agrees Not To Exclude Women As Members Of Club
Initial publicity promoted "gentlemen-only" membership in Stoddard's Friday Club.
News Release
10.28.09
Executive Director Carol Rose Discusses Domestic Surveillance on the Samantha Clemens Show
MP3 | "Fusion Center" Background
10.21.09
Privacy and Intelligence Experts Join Call for Oversight of Massachusetts Domestic Surveillance Operations
As Massachusetts legislature considers bill to prevent intelligence abuses, ACLU briefing highlights need to protect political, religious, and other activity.
News Release | "Sunlight on Surveillance" Background
10.9.09
House Passes Pandemic Preparedness Legislation That Respects Civil Liberties
The ACLU of Massachusetts praises bill to deal with health emergencies without trampling basic rights.
News Release
9.25.09
Supreme Judicial Court Strikes Down Criminal Provisions of Lowell Juvenile Curfew
ACLU of Massachusetts applauds decision that locking up kids for being out late is unconstitutional.
News Release | Brief
9.18.09
Federal Court Upholds Placement of Libertarian Candidates on 2008 Massachusetts Ballot
The ACLU of Massachusetts applauds this win for third party ballot access in the commonwealth.
News Release
9.16.09
ACLU "Student Rights in the 21st Century" Panel Marks Constitution Day
The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts is pleased to announce Student Rights in the 21st Century: A Constitution Day Event, to be held at 6pm on September 17, 2009, in the Rabb Lecture Hall of the Boston Public Library. The event is free and open to the public.
News Release | Event Listing
9.14.09
Mass Rights Blog Spotlight on Richard Hatch Hearing
Click here for "Fresh From Court", a blog post detailing the emergency hearing held for "Survivor" Richard Hatch's Habeas Petition.
Blog
9.11.09
Judge Schedules Emergency Hearing for Richard Hatch, Orders Hatch to Appear
Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton has scheduled an emergency hearing for Monday, September 14, 2009, at 10:30am, to respond to the habeas petition filed Wednesday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts for the release of Richard Hatch.
News Release
9.10.09
Supreme Judicial Court to Hear Arguments on Search of Homeless Shelter
The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts will hear oral arguments Thursday in a case centered on whether residents of homeless shelters enjoy the same constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures as others.
News Release
9.9.09
ACLU Petitions Court for Release of Richard Hatch
The ACLU of Massachusetts today filed a habeas corpus petition asking a federal court to release Richard Hatch, winner of the original "Survivor" television series, from jail in Barnstable County.
News Release | Memo of Law (PDF) | Habeas Petition (PDF)
9.4.09
Pandemic Preparedness Statement
An ACLU report from 2008 highlights the need to focus on issues of health, justice, transparency and accountability in preparing for a pandemic.
News Release | Report (PDF)
8.28.09
Inconsistent School Policing Policies Feeding Students Into Criminal Justice System
ACLU Paper Highlights Need to Both Ensure School Safety and Respect Students' Rights
News Release | White paper
8.26.09
ACLU of Massachusetts Honors Legacy of Senator Kennedy
Statement by Carol Rose, Executive Director | Blog
8.26.09
ACLU, CPCS File Challenge to "BASIC Ordinance"
Barnstable law threatens plaintiff, convicted of teenage sexual activity, with homelessness.
News Release | Complaint (PDF)
7.22.09
Gates arrest highlights ACLU work for racial justice
ACLU of Massachusetts work on racial justice includes the case of a national expert on racial profiling detained at Logan Airport in 2003, and the ongoing case of African-American former UMass Student Jason Vassell, who is facing much more serious charges than two white men who attacked him in his dorm:
ACLU Joins "Justice for Jason" Defense
Jury Finds Unlawful Detention At Logan Airport: Verdict stems from treatment of African-American passenger after arrival in 2003
7.21.09
Transfers of Immigration Detainees Violate Human Rights, ACLU Tells Inter-American Commission On Human Rights
News Release | Testimony (PDF)
7.8.09
ACLU applauds Massachusetts challenge to DOMA
The ACLU of Massachusetts applauds Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley for challenging the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
News release (PDF)
7.1.09
Latest Civil Liberties Update Available
- Administration argues CIA interrogation documents must be kept secret
- Obama may issue executive order authorizing indefinite detention
- “Overcollection” of email by NSA included Bill Clinton’s
This and much more in our latest Civil Liberties Update.
6.22.09
The ACLU of Massachusetts has updated its Online Privacy Statement and Site User Agreement
We take our supporters' privacy seriously. PDF copies of the updated statement and policy are available at www.aclum.org/privacy
6.16.09
Terrorism Finance Laws Undermine Muslims' Religious Freedom in Massachusetts
Comprehensive ACLU report details effects of flawed policies on Muslim charitable giving.
News release (PDF)
6.13.09
Marchers show ACLU support to tens of thousands at Pride
The Boston Globe used the ACLU contingent for its main photo accompanying this year's Pride coverage. To see more photos, check our online photo gallery on Facebook. (You don't have to be a Facebook member, but please note that Facebook's privacy policies differ from ours.)
6.5.09
Latest Civil Liberties Update Available
- White House seeks to keep photos secret by amending FOIA
- Army general denounces prisoner abuse as a war crime
- Brookline joins Cambridge in opposing DHS-funded cameras
This and much more in our latest Civil Liberties Update.
6.3.09
Brookline Rejects Homeland Security Surveillance Cameras
ACLU worked with Brookline PAX, local residents on risks of increased government surveillance of lawful activities
News release (PDF)
6.3.09
ACLU, Allies Weigh in on Boston School Rezoning Proposal
In advance of a Boston School Committee meeting tonight about proposed busing rezoning, the ACLU and allies submitted recommendations to Superintendent Carol Johnson.
Recommendations (PDF) | Executive Summary (PDF)
5.28.09
ACLU Honors Capt. James Yee, Muslim former U.S. Army Chaplain at Guantanamo
28th Annual Bill of Rights Dinner speaker lineup includes Katrina vanden Heuvel, editor of The Nation; comedian Baratunde Thurston; and human rights activist Kerry Kennedy
News Release (PDF) | 2009 Bill of Rights Dinner
5.27.09
ACLU Goes to Court in Case of South African Scholar Banned from U.S.
Professor Adam Habib Among Many Writers and Scholars Denied Entry on Basis of Political Views
News release (PDF)
5.14.09
Court Orders Release Of Documents In Double-Bunking Case
Massachusetts Department of Corrections must reveal how it classifies maximum-security inmates for double cells
News release (PDF) | Legal documents
5.6.09
Unchecked Access To Private Data Doesn't Stop With Celebrities
Statement by Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts
News release (PDF)
4.30.09
"First Amendment Minutes" Detail Civil Liberties Issues
Listen to these podcasts on a range of ACLU issues, recorded by ACLU Western Massachusetts legal director Bill Newman, and broadcast on WHMP from Northampton.
4.27.09
ACLU Files Suit Demanding Documents About Double-Bunking at Maximum Security Prison
Doubling up at prison in Shirley, Mass., is reportedly leading to violence.
News release (PDF) | Legal documents
4.13.09
ACLU of Massachusetts Condemns Cancellation of "Controversial" Speakers at Massachusetts Campuses
Following talk-radio criticism, Boston College cancelled a lecture by University of Illinois education professor William Ayres scheduled for March 30, 2009. And in April, Clark University in Worcester cancelled a talk by Norman Finkelstein, a scholar of the Holocaust and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Letter to Boston College, March 30, 2009 (PDF)
Letter to Clark University, April 10, 2009 (PDF)
"Support Academic Freedom at BC" (external website)
4.1.09
ACLU Suit Charges Lawrence Police with Inhumane Treatment of Arrestee
Police beat and stripped naked an Essex County resident in jail cell
News Release (PDF): English | Spanish - Complaint (PDF)
3.12.09
ACLU of Massachusetts Will Monitor Implementation of New Caritas-Centene Health Plan to Ensure Access to Family Planning Services
Organization calls on Health Connector to monitor as well.
News Release (PDF)
3.03.09
Listen to 2009 Conference Podcast
Author and Salon.com columnist Glenn Greenwald gave the keynote speech at our 2009 Statewide Conference, "Beyond the Politics of Fear." You can stream or download the podcast (30 minutes, MP3, 28 MB) of his speech to listen on computers or MP3 players, and it's also available for free via iTunes.
2.23.09
Statement on Massachusetts Individual Health Care Mandate
Is the Massachusetts health insurance requirement an infringement of civil liberties? The ACLU of Massachusetts does not believe that grounds exist for a legal challenge to the mandate, but we are monitoring its implementation.
Statement (PDF)
2.03.09
Cambridge City Council Votes Unanimously to Oppose Surveillance Cameras
ACLU praises first-in-the-state vote to reject Homeland Security monitoring
News Release (PDF)
1.20.09
Worcester County Chapter of ACLU of Massachusetts Receives Peace Award
News Release (PDF)
1.12.09
ACLU Asks Court To Stop Misuse Of Taxpayer Dollars In Trafficking Victims Program
News Release
12.18.08
Report reveals unwarranted detention of Mass. youth
Invest in programs aimed at reducing need for detention rather than in jails, say ACLU and Children’s Law Center Of Massachusetts
News Release (PDF) | Background: Locking Up Our Children
12.17.08
Latest Civil Liberties Update available
Will secrets about warrantless surveillance be revealed after Barack Obama is sworn in? Did you know that employees have successfully sued the factory that was the site of an ICE raid? Or that residents of Brookline and other municipalities are organizing against surveillance cameras? Learn about these things and many, many more through our latest Civil Liberties Update.
12.10.08
ACLU report blasts violations of basic rights for hundreds of immigrants detained in Massachusetts
First-of-its-kind study details poor jail conditions, denial of medical care and
violations of due process against immigrants held for months without being accused of a crime
News Release | Comunicado de Prensa | Details
12.08.08
Federal Court in Boston rules Bush administration must justify scholar’s visa denial
ACLU hails victory, says U.S. must end censorship at the border
News Release
11.26.08
The latest issue of the ACLU of Massachusetts newsletter, The Docket, is in the mail now to our members statewide
An electronic copy is available online, along with live links to online resources mentioned in the articles.
11.18.08
ACLU of Massachusetts shares recognition for marriage equality work
Amid legal struggle and nationwide protests against antigay Prop 8 in California, the Boston History & Innovation Collaborative honors organizations that established -- and defend -- equal marriage rights in Massachusetts.
News Release
10.14.08
Executive power grabs continue
The Bush Administration may be on its way out, but its power grabs and violations of rights go on. In recent weeks:
- The White House has sought to make "war on terror" powers perpetual;
- Whistleblowers revealed that the NSA has routinely listened to the private conversations of American citizens, including journalists, overseas military personnel, and international aid workers;
- The FBI's powers have been broadened to the realm of "anticipating and preventing" crimes instead of simply investigating them.
You'll find details about these developments -- and many more -- in our latest Civil Liberties Update.
9.23.08
Court rules that Libertarian Party nominees must be placed on Massachusetts ballot
Massachusetts Elections Division procedure for substitution of actual nominees for President and Vice President faulted
News Release | Preliminary Injunction | Memorandum & Order
9.17.08
When Checks and Balances Fail
Video clips that accompanied the ACLU's discussion on media coverage of civil liberties issues in the 2008 election
8.28.08
State Police return DNA sample
Class action lawsuit brought by ACLU of Massachusetts continues for return or destruction of genetic profiles gathered during investigation of Worthington murder in 2002.
News Release
8.22.08
ACLU of Massachusetts thanks Sen. Kennedy for leadership against new powers for FBI to spy on American citizens
New York Times writes, "There is apparently no limit to the Bush administration’s desire to invade Americans’ privacy in the name of national security." ACLU of Massachusetts Executive Director Carol Rose thanks Kennedy for leadership, warns of return to FBI abuses of the past.
Read Rose letter to Sen. Kennedy
8.19.08
ACLU Applauds Victory for Academic Freedom and First Amendment
In a case with national significance, a U.S. District Judge has rejected a gag order on MIT students who researched vulnerabilities in the MBTA's fare payment system.
News Release
8.12.08
Latest Civil Liberties Update available
Did you know?
- Children have been held at Guantánamo Bay
- Border officials can now confiscate your laptop or cell phone, or copy all your data, when you return to the country
- An appeals court has ruled that U.S. citizens can be declared "enemy combatants" and held indefinitely
These and other issues are explored in our latest Civil Liberties Update
8.11.08
ACLU of Massachusetts co-sponsors rally at American Psychological Association convention, protesting involvement in government sponsored torture
Saturday rally includes the ACLU, Amnesty International, and American Friends Service Committee.
Details
8.6.08
ACLU files suit to ensure franchise for Massachusetts voters
The ACLU of Massachusetts filed a suit today seeking a place for the Libertarian Party's correct candidates on the November ballot, which the Massachusetts Elections Division has refused to do.
News Release | Legal Complaint
7.17.08
"They could be eavesdropping"
Carol Rose, our executive director, has an op-ed in today's Boston Globe about a Massachusetts bill on the verge of giving unchecked power to district attorneys and the attorney general to request records of anyone's Internet use. They would simply need to ask for them in writing, with no warrant, and with no notification to the person whose records are being requested. Learn more and join a blog discussion of the issue here.
7.10.08
The ACLU plans to sue to block Congress' FISA cave-in
A preliminary statement from the national ACLU is available here, and you can join a local discussion of the issue here. With the exception of Sen. Kennedy, who was not present, the entire Massachusetts delegation voted to oppose this disgraceful move.
6.25.08
ACLU Challenges Government’s Ban On Renowned South African Scholar In Federal Court Today
In oral arguments, ACLU says U.S. is unfairly blocking exchange of ideas in this country.
News Release
6.19.08
ACLU of Massachusetts Files Suit to Stop 'Shadow' DNA Databases
Cape Cod men who voluntarily agreed to provide DNA samples in the investigation of the murder of Christa Worthington have brought suit seeking to prevent the State Police Crime Lab from keeping their DNA in a secret "shadow" DNA data bank.
News Release
6.17.08
Latest Civil Liberties Update available
Did you know?
- Body scanners that can see through clothing have been installed at 10 airports around the country
- The U.S. has a fleet of "floating prisons" for "ghost detainees" are held
- Anti-Americanism is at record levels
These and other issues are explored in the latest newsletter of our Civil Liberties Task Force, available here.

6.2.08
Head of National Black Police Association to challenge "Safe Homes" program of warrantless searches
News Release

5.29.08
ACLU of Massachusetts condemns Comcast in Nolan firing
CN8’s respected news host of "BackStage" was fired recently for expressing dismay that the Boston chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences awarded a local Emmy to Fox News' Bill O'Reilly.
News Release

5.28.08
ACLU Foundation of Massachusetts honors Norma Shapiro, Wainwright Bank
Nixon White House Counsel John Dean, Humorist Kate Clinton, and Director Errol Morris to Headline 27th Annual Bill of Rights Dinner
News Release
5.16.08
ACLU of Massachusetts backs suit challenging Bush Administration travel restrictions on family visits to Cuba
Three state ACLU affiliates, Center for Constitutional Rights join first challenge to increased restrictions on family visits announced in 2004
Press Release

5.12.08
ACLU Report Exposes Unjust Detention Of Youth
Pre-Trial Juvenile Lockup In Massachusetts Disproportionately Impacts Youth Of Color
See Locking Up Our Children
5.7.08
"Don't be manipulated."
The ACLU of Massachusetts is spreading the word about "Safe Homes" through this innovative new rap public service announcement. The so-called "Safe Homes" program is the Boston Police Department's effort asking people to "voluntarily" open their doors to warrantless searches of their homes for guns.
Download (62 seconds, MP3, 1.5 MB)
4.23.08
ACLU of Massachusetts Secures Victory for Freedom of Speech and Association
Case Against NAMBLA Members Dismissed With Prejudice
Statement
4.18.08
ACLU opens "Safe Homes" phone line
If you need information about the BPD's so-called "Safe Homes" program of warrantless searches -- or if you receive a "Safe Homes" visit -- please call 617-376-3776. You can also download our detailed briefing paper or our one-page fact sheets in English and Spanish.
4.17.08
Latest Civil Liberties Update available
The latest newsletter of our Civil Liberties Task Force is here.
4.17.08
ACLU of Massachusetts launches new "Wonk" podcast series
Why even try to deny it? We're wonks—and it's because we care about and want to know what's going on in this country. If you do, too, download our new "Wonk" podcasts.

4.10.08
Confronting the Surveillance Society
ACLU Policy Counsel and former FBI Special Agent Mike German, above, addressed our 2008 Conference, speaking with Executive Director Carol Rose on "Confronting the Surveillance Society: Real ID, NSA Spying, Warrantless Wiretapping, and Fusion Centers." You can hear their talk, and others, through our new "Wonk" podcast series.
3.7.08
International Human Rights Experts Denounce U.S. Record On Racial and Ethnic Discrimination
ACLU Applauds Recommendations and Demands Immediate Action --Report Coincides With First Anniversary of ICE Raid in New Bedford
Press Release
2.22.08
What is Wrong with the Boston Police 'Safe Homes' Initiative?
A lot. We've released a briefing paper with the title above.
Download
2.19.08
National ACLU releases "Transgender People and the Law"
"Know Your Rights" publication gives overview of legal issues for transgender people, including discrimination, family matters, and health care coverage. Link
1.31.08
Federal Appeals Court Says It's OK for School to Use Children's Books Encouraging Tolerance for Gay People
ACLU of Massachusetts filed friend of the court brief urging dismissal of the case
Press Release
1.25.08
ACLU of Massachusetts voices concern over punishment of Brandeis professor
Press Release
1.25.08
Ellsberg, Maddow to headline ACLU of Massachusetts Membership Conference
Amid 2008 election season, gathering will focus on "Reclaiming Our Civil Liberties," Saturday at Bentley College
Press Release
1.24.08
ACLU of Massachusetts Raises Concern About Latest Demonstration of Personal Data Vulnerability
Reported hacking of MassHealth web site illustrates problems with Fusion Center, Real ID
Press Release

1.22.08
Coalition for Choice Releases Roe @ 35
The Massachusetts Coalition for Choice, of which the ACLU of Massachusetts is a member, today released Roe @ 35: Reflections By Notable Champions of Choice in Massachusetts. The 35 essays' authors include Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley; Norma Shapiro, our Legislative Director; John Reinstein, our Legal Director; and Susan Yanow, Founding Executive Director of the Abortion Access Project, and an ACLU ofMassachusetts Board Member.

1.22.08
ACLU Marks 35th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Victory for Reproductive Freedom The National ACLU has created a web feature to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the US Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade, called The World We Want. It includes video interviews, reflections on the meaning of Roe, and a look ahead at reproductive freedoms in the courts and Congress.

12.26.07
ACLU releases new version of "Know Your Rights" publication
What would you do if you were stopped, questioned, arrested, or searched by law enforcement officials? This updated, 24-page ACLU publication details your rights and provides other advice.
Download (PDF)
12.19.07
ACLU Lauds Sens. Kennedy and Kerry for Leadership on Domestic Spy Battle Press Release
12.19.07
Debunking the "War on Christmas"
Every year the ACLU is wrongfully accused of waging a "War on Christmas." In this podcast, Jeremy Gunn, director of the national ACLU's Freedom of Religion and Belief Project, explains that what we really do is protect the rights of both believers -- including Christians -- and nonbelievers.

12.12.07
ACLU Releases New Report on Government "Fusion Centers" in Massachusetts and nationwide
Fusion Centers raise the danger of identity theft and government invasions of privacy to an unprecedented new level. They must be open, carefully monitored and subject to restraints.
Press Release | Download the Report
12.10.07
New ACLU Report Reveals Pervasive Racial Discrimination: Group Calls U.S. Report to United Nations a Whitewash
Press Release | Download the Report

King Downing
12.9.07
Jury Finds Unlawful Detention At Logan Airport
Verdict stems from treatment of African-American passenger, King Downing, in 2003.
Press Release
12.5.07
ACLU of Massachusetts and other groups continue to support Lexington school system's diversity education
Press Release
11.27.07
The latest Civil Liberties Update. Our monthly summary of post-9/11 news, is now available.

11.20.07
ACLU of Massachusetts launches public education campaign warning Boston residents of warrantless searches of their homes as part of "Safe Homes" program in Boston
An ACLU neighborhood outreach program is working with community groups to educate residents about the constitutional rights they are being asked to give up by the Boston Police.
Press Release
Download flyer in English
Download flyer en español

Adam Habib
11.14.07
ACLU rebukes U.S. Government for maligning South African professor
Group renews legal challenge, says U.S. should either substantiate claims of terrorist activity or grant distinguished scholar's visa.
Press Release |