News Archive

8.12.08
Latest Civil Liberties Update available
Did you know?

• Children have been held at Guantánamo Bay
• Border officials can now confiscate your laptop or cell phone, or copy all your data, when you return to the country
• An appeals court has ruled that U.S. citizens can be declared "enemy combatants" and held indefinitely

These and other issues are explored in our latest Civil Liberties Update

8.11.08
ACLU of Massachusetts co-sponsors rally at American Psychological Association convention, protesting involvement in government sponsored torture
Saturday rally includes the ACLU, Amnesty International, and American Friends Service Committee.
Details

8.6.08
ACLU files suit to ensure franchise for Massachusetts voters
The ACLU of Massachusetts filed a suit today seeking a place for the Libertarian Party's correct candidates on the November ballot, which the Massachusetts Elections Division has refused to do.
News Release | Legal Complaint

7.17.08
"They could be eavesdropping"
Carol Rose, our executive director, has an op-ed in today's Boston Globe about a Massachusetts bill on the verge of giving unchecked power to district attorneys and the attorney general to request records of anyone's Internet use. They would simply need to ask for them in writing, with no warrant, and with no notification to the person whose records are being requested. Learn more and join a blog discussion of the issue here.

7.10.08
The ACLU plans to sue to block Congress' FISA cave-in
A preliminary statement from the national ACLU is available here, and you can join a local discussion of the issue here. With the exception of Sen. Kennedy, who was not present, the entire Massachusetts delegation voted to oppose this disgraceful move.

6.25.08
ACLU Challenges Government’s Ban On Renowned South African Scholar In Federal Court Today
In oral arguments, ACLU says U.S. is unfairly blocking exchange of ideas in this country.
News Release

6.19.08
ACLU of Massachusetts Files Suit to Stop 'Shadow' DNA Databases
Cape Cod men who voluntarily agreed to provide DNA samples in the investigation of the murder of Christa Worthington have brought suit seeking to prevent the State Police Crime Lab from keeping their DNA in a secret "shadow" DNA data bank.
News Release

6.17.08
Latest Civil Liberties Update available

Did you know?

• Body scanners that can see through clothing have been installed at 10 airports around the country
• The U.S. has a fleet of "floating prisons" for "ghost detainees" are held
• Anti-Americanism is at record levels
  

These and other issues are explored in the latest newsletter of our Civil Liberties Task Force, available here.

6.2.08
Head of National Black Police Association to challenge "Safe Homes" program of warrantless searches
News Release

5.29.08
ACLU of Massachusetts condemns Comcast in Nolan firing
CN8’s respected news host of "BackStage" was fired recently for expressing dismay that the Boston chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences awarded a local Emmy to Fox News' Bill O'Reilly.
News Release

5.28.08
ACLU Foundation of Massachusetts honors Norma Shapiro, Wainwright Bank
Nixon White House Counsel John Dean, Humorist Kate Clinton, and Director Errol Morris to Headline 27th Annual Bill of Rights Dinner
News Release

5.12.08
ACLU Report Exposes Unjust Detention Of Youth
Pre-Trial Juvenile Lockup In Massachusetts Disproportionately Impacts Youth Of Color
See Locking Up Our Children

5.7.08
"Don't be manipulated."
The ACLU of Massachusetts is spreading the word about "Safe Homes" through this innovative new rap public service announcement. The so-called "Safe Homes" program is the Boston Police Department's effort asking people to "voluntarily" open their doors to warrantless searches of their homes for guns.
Download (62 seconds, MP3, 1.5 MB)

4.23.08
ACLU of Massachusetts Secures Victory for Freedom of Speech and Association
Case Against NAMBLA Members Dismissed With Prejudice
Statement

4.18.08
ACLU opens "Safe Homes" phone line
If you need information about the BPD's so-called "Safe Homes" program of warrantless searches -- or if you receive a "Safe Homes" visit -- please call 617-376-3776. You can also download our detailed briefing paper or our one-page fact sheets in English and Spanish.

4.17.08
Latest Civil Liberties Update available
The latest newsletter of our Civil Liberties Task Force is here.

4.17.08
ACLU of Massachusetts launches new "Wonk" podcast series
Why even try to deny it? We're wonks—and it's because we care about and want to know what's going on in this country. If you do, too, download our new "Wonk" podcasts.

4.10.08
Confronting the Surveillance Society
ACLU Policy Counsel and former FBI Special Agent Mike German, above, addressed our 2008 Conference, speaking with Executive Director Carol Rose on "Confronting the Surveillance Society: Real ID, NSA Spying, Warrantless Wiretapping, and Fusion Centers." You can hear their talk, and others, through our new "Wonk" podcast series.

3.7.08
International Human Rights Experts Denounce U.S. Record On Racial and Ethnic Discrimination
ACLU Applauds Recommendations and Demands Immediate Action --Report Coincides With First Anniversary of ICE Raid in New Bedford
Press Release

2.22.08
What is Wrong with the Boston Police 'Safe Homes' Initiative?
A lot. We've released a briefing paper with the title above.
Download

2.19.08
National ACLU releases "Transgender People and the Law"
"Know Your Rights" publication gives overview of legal issues for transgender people, including discrimination, family matters, and health care coverage. Link

1.31.08
Federal Appeals Court Says It's OK for School to Use Children's Books Encouraging Tolerance for Gay People
ACLU of Massachusetts filed friend of the court brief urging dismissal of the case
Press Release

1.25.08
ACLU of Massachusetts voices concern over punishment of Brandeis professor
Press Release

1.25.08
Ellsberg, Maddow to headline ACLU of Massachusetts Membership Conference
Amid 2008 election season, gathering will focus on "Reclaiming Our Civil Liberties," Saturday at Bentley College
Press Release

1.24.08
ACLU of Massachusetts Raises Concern About Latest Demonstration of Personal Data Vulnerability
Reported hacking of MassHealth web site illustrates problems with Fusion Center, Real ID
Press Release

1.22.08

Coalition for Choice Releases Roe @ 35
The Massachusetts Coalition for Choice, of which the ACLU of Massachusetts is a member, today released Roe @ 35: Reflections By Notable Champions of Choice in Massachusetts. The 35 essays' authors include Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley; Norma Shapiro, our Legislative Director; John Reinstein, our Legal Director; and Susan Yanow, Founding Executive Director of the Abortion Access Project, and an ACLU ofMassachusetts Board Member.



1.22.08

ACLU Marks 35th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Victory for Reproductive Freedom The National ACLU has created a web feature to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the US Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade, called The World We Want. It includes video interviews, reflections on the meaning of Roe, and a look ahead at reproductive freedoms in the courts and Congress.



12.26.07

ACLU releases new version of "Know Your Rights" publication

What would you do if you were stopped, questioned, arrested, or searched by law enforcement officials? This updated, 24-page ACLU publication details your rights and provides other advice. Download (PDF)


12.19.07

ACLU Lauds Sens. Kennedy and Kerry for Leadership on Domestic Spy Battle Press Release

12.19.07

Debunking the "War on Christmas"

Every year the ACLU is wrongfully accused of waging a "War on Christmas." In this podcast, Jeremy Gunn, director of the national ACLU's Freedom of Religion and Belief Project, explains that what we really do is protect the rights of both believers -- including Christians -- and nonbelievers.

King Downing

Adam Habib

11.14.07

ACLU rebukes U.S. Government for maligning South African professor

Group renews legal challenge, says U.S. should either substantiate claims of terrorist activity or grant distinguished scholar's visa.

Press Release