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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.