The ACLU of Virginia has issued the following statement with regard to anticipated demonstrations in Richmond on Sept. 16:

The Trump administration today announced the termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program, which has served as a critical lifeline for nearly 800,000 young immigrants, or “Dreamers,” who came to this country as children and know the United States as their only home.

Our staff discovered a video showing a person firing at another person in Charlottesville on Aug. 12 during a routine review of all photos and videos taken by staff and volunteers on the scene. We turned the video over to law enforcement agencies for further investigation.

On Aug. 18, Governor Terry McAuliffe issued an executive order that temporarily blocked protests at the statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee in Richmond. This executive order raises some serious First Amendment concerns.

Virginia should no longer support the display on public property of symbols that divide rather than unite, evoke white supremacy instead of equality, and inspire violence instead of peace.

On Wednesday, August 16, the ACLU of Virginia joined the NAACP and 17 other civil rights groups in filing a brief in the appeals court supporting the Legal Aid Justice Center’s position in a lawsuit challenging Virginia's automatic suspension of driver's licenses over non-payment of court fees.

On National Public Radio’s Morning Edition today, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe blamed the ACLU for the violence that took place on Saturday in Charlottesville. The ACLU of Virginia’s Executive Director Claire G. Gastanaga issued this response.

Since its inception, and even as we have and will continue to fight for free speech for everyone, the ACLU of Virginia has stood up for respect, decency, equality and humanity for all. What happened today had nothing to do with free speech.