“After all, no executive order can change the Constitution,” said ACLU-VA Executive Director Mary Bauer. “Our statewide presence and deep bench of advocacy tools were made for moments like this. To get to Virginians, President Trump will have to get past us.”

"Protecting Virginians’ rights will require amending Virginia’s constitution. Today was the first step of this legislative session in a multi-year process, one that will culminate in Virginians themselves voting on whether to enshrine core civil rights safely out of reach of partisan politics."

“Every eligible individual should be able to access the right to vote in order to participate in democracy that affects every aspect of their lives.” said Sheba Williams, Founder and Executive Director of Nolef Turns Inc.

Virginia has become a key access state for patients seeking care, and a constitutional amendment would protect the rights of both patients and providers to make decisions regarding their own reproductive health care without government interference.

“The Youngkin administration’s proposal to force Virginia police to do the federal government’s job at Virginians’ expense doesn’t stand a chance," said ACLU-VA Senior Immigrants' Rights Attorney Sophia Gregg.

"Not even a federal judge ruling in her favor was enough to protect her from such serious ongoing harassment and concerns about her safety that Janie was forced to withdraw from Hanover County Public Schools," said ACLU-VA Senior Transgender Rights Attorney Wyatt Rolla.

“Enshrining our civil rights and civil liberties in Virginia’s constitution would mean no matter what happens at the federal level, Virginians’ rights would be as secure as possible," said ACLU-VA Executive Director Mary Bauer. "We’ll be working to do just that with three constitutional amendments."

“It is appalling that anyone would invoke the trauma and cruelty of this country’s history of slavery to level racist threats of violence at Black Virginians," said ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Mary Bauer. "Hate has no place in our communities. We are committed to fighting it in every form."

“The results of yesterday’s election are clear, and so is the threat to our democracy that a second Trump presidential term represents," said ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Mary Bauer. "We’re ready to fight any attack on these rights with the full force of the ACLU of Virginia."