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.

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Aug 14, 2024

Meet Your Neighbor: Angela White

Criminal Legal Reform

“My journey didn't define who I was. It just made me a better person to who I am today.”

“My journey didn't define who I was. It just made me a better person to who I am today.”

"Angela White. Virginia needs a second chance exhibition."
"Angela White. Virginia needs a second chance exhibition."
Aug 14, 2024

Meet Your Neighbor: Angel DeJesus

Criminal Legal Reform

“I don’t want to say that I deserve a second chance, but that I earned my second chance. It’s not just the time that you served, it’s everything else that you’re doing while you are incarcerated.”

“I don’t want to say that I deserve a second chance, but that I earned my second chance. It’s not just the time that you served, it’s everything else that you’re doing while you are incarcerated.”

"Angel DeJesus. Virginia needs a second chance exhibition."
"Angel DeJesus. Virginia needs a second chance exhibition."
Aug 9, 2024

Meet Your Neighbor: Rev. Rodney Hunter

Criminal Legal Reform

“We all make mistakes, and we all need a second chance. We've all fallen short of God's glory; needed to be forgiven, and needed a chance to make right those wrongs that we have committed.”

“We all make mistakes, and we all need a second chance. We've all fallen short of God's glory; needed to be forgiven, and needed a chance to make right those wrongs that we have committed.”

"Rev. Rodney Hunter. Virginia needs a second chance exhibition."
"Rev. Rodney Hunter. Virginia needs a second chance exhibition."
Aug 8, 2024

Meet Your Neighbor: Amber Bowman

Criminal Legal Reform

“If we could help people heal from their underlying issues that even got them incarcerated in the first place, they could get out and be helpful to the community.”

“If we could help people heal from their underlying issues that even got them incarcerated in the first place, they could get out and be helpful to the community.”

"Amber Bowman. Virginia needs a second chance exhibition."
"Amber Bowman. Virginia needs a second chance exhibition."
Aug 8, 2024

Meet Your Neighbors: Taj Mahon-Haft and Gin Carter

Criminal Legal Reform

“That is what a second chance to me is: showing the world that we are all so much more than our worst moment.”

“That is what a second chance to me is: showing the world that we are all so much more than our worst moment.”

"Taj Mahon-Haft. Virginia needs a second chance exhibition."
"Taj Mahon-Haft. Virginia needs a second chance exhibition."
Aug 7, 2024

Meet Your Neighbors: Paulettra James and Jerry James

Criminal Legal Reform

“He is working with the chaplain and the administration [at the prison] to start a father’s program, helping guys build relationships with their kids while [incarcerated] and how to maintain that...

“He is working with the chaplain and the administration [at the prison] to start a father’s program, helping guys build relationships with their kids while [incarcerated] and how to maintain that...

"Paulettra James. Virginia needs a second chance exhibition."
"Paulettra James. Virginia needs a second chance exhibition."