Take Action
Honor Trayvon Martin: Take Action in Massachusetts
The tragic shooting death of Trayvon Martin in Florida has sparked a national conversation about racial disparities in law enforcement. It should also spark action in Massachusetts. Governor Patrick has called for legislation to end racial profiling.
Urge your legislators, Speaker Robert DeLeo, and Senate President Therese Murray to end racial profiling today.
Update the public records law in 2012
Massachusetts public records law hasn't been substantially updated since 1973--four decades ago. It doesn't address the advances of the digital age, let alone take advantage of technology to promote transparency. A pair of ACLU-backed bills will bring the law into the electronic age, make access to information less costly, and bring Massachusetts in line with 45 other states that promote government responsiveness by allowing courts to award attorney's fees when people are wrongly denied access to public records. Please write to the state Senate President, House Speaker, and your own state senator and representative now, to ask for their support.
Allow parole for nonviolent drug offenders, and reconsider "3 strikes"
"Harsh mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenders cause huge problems for our criminal justice system. Hundreds of people languish in Massachusetts prisons for years without any possibility of parole, costing nearly $50,000 a year. That's unjust, and also fiscally irresponsible. Tell your state Representative and Senator--along with key committee chairs, the House Speaker, and the Senate President--that people sentenced to prison for nonviolent drug offenses deserve a shot at parole, and "3 strikes and you're out" sentencing is the wrong way forward.
Support "An Act to Protect Privacy & Personal Data"
This bill is based on a fundamental principle: that law enforcement may not collect information about people's political and religious views, associations, or activities without reasonable suspicion of criminal conduct. It would establish sensible standards for securing personal data, and an oversight structure to ensure compliance with those standards.
He signed it. We’ll fight it.
President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law. It contains a sweeping worldwide indefinite detention provision. The dangerous new law can be used by this and future presidents to militarily detain people captured far from any battlefield. He signed it. Now, we have to fight it wherever we can and for as long as it takes.
Take a Stand Against Solitary!
Solitary confinement is cruel and inhumane, costs too much and does nothing to make society safer. Yet tens of thousands of people are held in solitary, in every single state in the nation, sometimes for years on end. Take action today – sign our statement to show that you stand against solitary.
Take more action!
Save money... Save trees... Save civil liberties
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If you aren't already a member, please join today. And if you are, you can make an additional donation.
Get involved with national issues
Check the national ACLU's Action Center for the latest on what you can do, and how you can make your voice heard to your elected representatives, and others, on behalf of civil liberties.
