Blog Posts and Op-Eds

The ACLU of Virginia is the leading champion of civil liberties in the Commonwealth. We want to keep you informed about the work we do in the legislature, in the courts, and in the community. We'll also give you our take on issues affecting people in neighborhoods throughout the state.

Filter News
Advanced search
May 25, 2023

AAPI Heritage Month Playlist

In May and all year long, we wish to honor and celebrate AAPI Virginians that we work with through the music they love.

In May and all year long, we wish to honor and celebrate AAPI Virginians that we work with through the music they love.

Black background with the text "Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month"
Black background with the text "Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month"
Apr 27, 2023

Celebrate Second Chance Month through Music

Criminal Legal Reform
A playlist by people who have earned their second chances.
A playlist by people who have earned their second chances.
Graphic with the text "Celebrate Second Chance Month through music" front and center. The text is surrounded by photos of formerly incarcerated people who shared their songs for the playlist.
Graphic with the text "Celebrate Second Chance Month through music" front and center. The text is surrounded by photos of formerly incarcerated people who shared their songs for the playlist.
Feb 26, 2023

Women's History Month Playlist

Celebrate Women's History Month through a special ACLUVA-curated playlist.
Celebrate Women's History Month through a special ACLUVA-curated playlist.
colorful background with illustration of different women with different hairstyle and skin tones. The text on top reads "Women's History Month: A playlist by ACLU-VA staff"
colorful background with illustration of different women with different hairstyle and skin tones. The text on top reads "Women's History Month: A playlist by ACLU-VA staff"
Nov 21, 2022

ACLUVA Statement on Decision in Anderson v. Clarke and Bowles

Criminal Legal Reform

We are disappointed by the court’s decision today. Virginia lawmakers gave incarcerated people greater incentive to pursue rehabilitation, but those incentives have now been eliminated for people with...

We are disappointed by the court’s decision today. Virginia lawmakers gave incarcerated people greater incentive to pursue rehabilitation, but those incentives have now been eliminated for people with...

A photo of Antoine and his daughter, reading "We are suing for his immediate release."
A photo of Antoine and his daughter, reading "We are suing for his immediate release."
Sep 22, 2022

Banning Books Closes Minds

First Amendment Rights

Edited education is a handicap. I trust our teachers and librarians. You should, too.

Edited education is a handicap. I trust our teachers and librarians. You should, too.

A photo of a stack of banned books.
A photo of a stack of banned books.
Sep 20, 2022

A Look at History: Civil Liberties Are on the Ballot

Voting Rights
Elections in 1968, 2000, and 2016 prompted significant rollbacks of civil liberties. We can’t repeat history in 2022.
Elections in 1968, 2000, and 2016 prompted significant rollbacks of civil liberties. We can’t repeat history in 2022.
Voting booths lined up at polling station during in a public school in Brooklyn, New York.
Voting booths lined up at polling station during in a public school in Brooklyn, New York.