Press Releases

ACLU of Virginia Commends Vote to Sustain Governor’s Veto of HB 1318

HB 1318 would have added another barrier to the polls by requiring qualified, registered, and eligible absentee voters to provide proof of valid photo ID by mail.
Issue Areas: Voting Rights

ACLU of Virginia Warns Legislators: Governor’s Amendments Would Take Away the Privacy of Virginians

The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia said today that it has sent emails to all members of the General Assembly last Friday and today urging them to reject Governor McAuliffe’s amendments to bi-partisan privacy legislation that passed overwhelmingly during the 2015 General Assembly Session.

ACLU of Virginia Applauds Governor’s Decision to “Ban the Box” on State Employment Applications

The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia today applauded the Governor’s action on “ban the box” that will help lead the way to greater opportunities for former offenders seeking to reenter the workforce.

ACLU of Virginia Urges Legislators to Support Governor’s Amendment to Asset Forfeiture Bill

The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia today thanked the Governor for proposing and urged the legislature to accept an amendment to SB 721 that requires a criminal conviction before a person’s private property can be forfeited to the Commonwealth.
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal Reform

Governor McAuliffe Endorses Mass Surveillance by Police

The ACLU of Virginia today leveled strong criticism at amendments proposed by Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe that would gut important bi-partisan privacy legislation passed during the 2015 General Assembly Session unanimously or almost unanimously by both houses of the Virginia legislature.
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal Reform

ACLU of Virginia Denounces Governor’s Signing of SB 1074 and HB 1353

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Virginia today condemned Governor McAuliffe’s action on two bills that will create a new sex offender registry, SB 1074 and HB 1353.
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal Reform

ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Honored for Work to Ensure Equality for All Virginians

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Virginia Executive Director Claire Guthrie Gastañaga has been named to Equality Virginia’s 2015 class of OUTstanding Virginians.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ Rights

ACLU of Virginia Denounces Fourth Circuit Court Decision on Solitary Confinement Case

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Virginia today condemned the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision holding that automatic solitary confinement of death row inmates does not violate the Constitution.
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal Reform

ACLU of Virginia Commends First Steps Toward a Public Health Approach to Drug Use

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Virginia today noted with appreciation passage of legislation that moves Virginia toward recognizing drug use as a public health issue that requires a public health solution.
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal Reform