Press Releases

ACLU of Virginia Challenges Rollback of Earned Sentence Credit Program

The ACLU-VA challenges the continued incarceration of Antoine Anderson and demands his immediate release. Mr. Anderson and hundreds of other incarcerated people who earned sentence reductions through good behavior were told at the last minute that their promised release would not be honored.
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal Reform

Organizations Advocating for Virginia LGBTQ+ Youth Respond to Hanover County School Board’s Proposed Restroom and Locker Room Policy

Hanover fails at every turn to create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all of its students by proposing a policy that would place an undue burden on trans students to "earn" the right to use public school facilities.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ Rights

ACLU-VA's Comment Opposing Classroom Censorship Model Policies

The ACLU-VA  opposes the VDOE's proposed model policies that will only exacerbate an alarming trend toward classroom censorship, all while denying students the opportunity to be inspired by stories of people from all walks of life trying to live authentically in school curriculum.

ACLU of Virginia files Amicus Brief in Vlaming vs. West Point School Board Case

The ACLU of Virginia filed an amicus brief in support of West Point School Board against a teacher who refused to call a trans student by the correct pronouns. It's the teacher's job to provide an inclusive environment for all students. Free speech is not an excuse to discriminate.

ACLU-VA Statement on the Overturn of Roe v. Wade

We will never stop working to ensure that Virginia remains a place where women and people who can become pregnant are empowered to make choices for their lives and determine their own futures. Now is the time for Virginians to join together and fight. We’re not giving up – we're just getting started

ACLU-VA Statement on Gov. Youngkin's 2022 Budget Amendments

On his inauguration day, Gov. Youngkin said that he would serve all Virginians. Yet, his actions continue to tell a different story.  
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal Reform

VADOC Officials Denied Qualified Immunity in Long-Term Solitary Confinement Suit

Federal Appeals Court Affirms Lower Court Ruling Denying Qualified Immunity in Thorpe, et al. v. Harold Clarke, et al.
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal Reform

ACLU-VA's Statement on Gov. Youngkin's Actions on Facial Recognition Technology

The governor amended a controversial bill that would lift the ban on the use of facial recognition technology without a warrant by local law enforcement agencies. The governor’s amendments did nothing to address the many concerns voiced by a broad range of advocates.
Issue Areas: First Amendment Rights

ACLU-VA Statement on Gov. Youngkin’s Signing of Classroom Censorship Legislation

Gov. Youngkin signed into law Senate Bill 656 (SB 656), which would give parents the authority to prevent their children from learning material deemed “sexually explicit content.” While the bill is lauded by some as parental choice, its true intent and impact is classroom censorship.