Press Releases

Virginia General Assembly set to advance right to reproductive freedom constitutional amendment

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.
Issue Areas: Reproductive Rights

Proposing to ban ‘sanctuary cities’ is out of touch with Virginia, home to 1 million immigrants

“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.
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights

Trans middle schooler forced to withdraw from Hanover Public County Schools even after a federal judge ruled in her favor

"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.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ Rights

ACLU of Virginia to champion three separate amendments to Virginia’s constitution to safeguard Virginians’ rights

“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."

The racism evident in the text messages Black Virginians received has no place in the Commonwealth

“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."

We need you in the fight for Virginians’ civil rights and civil liberties in a second Trump term

“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."

ACLU of Virginia, Washington-Baltimore News Guild Local 32035 formalize first collective bargaining agreement

The ACLU of Virginia and the Washington-Baltimore News Guild Local 32035 ratified their inaugural collective bargaining agreement, marking the first union contract for ACLU of Virginia employees in a major reaffirmation of the people-first values that guide the ACLU of Virginia.

Virginians deserve answers, but without FOIA reform, Virginia universities won’t have to share them

As students go back to school, Virginians are still asking tough questions of their university administrations; to see the comprehensive results of what the ACLU of Virginia’s FOIA requests yielded, click here. 
Issue Areas: First Amendment Rights

Meet prison-impacted Virginians showcased in ACLU-VA “Virginia Needs a Second Chance” exhibit

Join us to meet eight Virginians who were formerly incarcerated or whose loved ones are still incarcerated in a first-of-its-kind ACLU of Virginia exhibition “Virginia Needs a Second Chance” showcasing black-and-white portrait photography, videos, and artwork by people still inside.
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal Reform