Press Releases

ACLU-VA Releases New Guidelines for Protest Permitting, Raises Concerns About Rules for Lee Monument

The ACLU-VA’s white paper recommends 10 guiding principles for permitting public gatherings that would meet constitutional standards for any public forum, including the Lee Monument and Capitol Square as well as public spaces in localities.
Issue Areas: First Amendment Rights

Bedford Sheriff Mike Brown Backs Down after ACLU-VA Raised Concern over Law Enforcement's Religious Displays

The ACLU of Virginia today penned a letter to Beford Sheriff Michael J. Brown to raise concern over the sheriff's expressed intention to put bumper stickers that say "Law Enforcement Stands and Places Hand Over Heart for the National Anthem. We Kneel When We Pray" on government-owned vehicles.
Issue Areas: First Amendment Rights

ACLU-VA Raises Transparency Concerns over Virginia State Police’s Actions at Sept. 16 Rally in Richmond

Updated: The superintendent of the Virginia State Police responded to our letter and said officers will not be allowed to cover their uniform name strips in the future.

ACLU-VA Statement Regarding Sept. 16 Protests and Police Response

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

ACLU-VA Statement on Video from Charlottesville Protest

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.
Issue Areas: First Amendment Rights

ACLU-VA’s Statement on Governor Terry McAuliffe’s Temporary Ban on Protests at General Lee Statue

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.
Issue Areas: First Amendment Rights

ACLU of Virginia Response to Governor’s Allegations that ACLU is Responsible for Violence in Charlottesville

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.
Issue Areas: First Amendment Rights

ACLU-VA Statement on Today’s Violence in Charlottesville

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.
Issue Areas: First Amendment Rights

ACLU-VA Statement on Aug. 11 Weekend Protests & Demonstrations in Charlottesville

The ACLU of Virginia stands firmly for the right to freedom of expression for everyone. We stand just as firmly in opposition to violence, racism and hatred of any kind. We urge anyone participating in demonstrations or protests today to do so in a spirit of peaceful, productive discourse.
Issue Areas: First Amendment Rights