News & Commentary

In his proclamation establishing Women’s Equality Day in 1973, President Richard Nixon stated: “The struggle for women’s suffrage, however, was only the first step toward full and equal participation of women in our Nation’s life … And yet, much still remains to be done.” Sadly, these words remain true today.

Being home with your loved ones during the holiday season should not be a privilege if you haven’t been convicted of a crime. Being treated with dignity and respect by the criminal legal system also should not be a privilege.

Book banning in 2019 looks more like challenges and book removals in public libraries, school curriculums, and prisons. This is censorship which affects some of the most vulnerable members of our society: children and people who are incarcerated.

We trust our elected officials to represent us, listen to our feedback, and provide us with information on issues of public importance. In our modern era, public officials use social media to conduct official business, share important information about key issues, and engage with their constituents.

On this Giving Tuesday, we at the ACLU of Virginia would like to say thank you. Thank you to each of our donors, members, partners, clients, and supporters. Thank you for your bravery, trust, and generosity. Each of you contributes to the impact we make and the forward progress we have created.