Worcester

Ground-breaking report on Springfield, Worcester, and Boston schools by ACLU and Citizens for Juvenile Justice uncovers significant racial disparities as well as arrests for disruptions once handled by schools and parents.

"Those who tried to get the Worcester Elections Commission to prohibit the wearing of T-shirts bearing Neighbor to Neighbor's name are not only misrepresenting the law for their own political purposes, they are trying to divert attention away from real issues about access to the polls, such as efforts to intimidate and deter people from voting. Wearing a T-shirt that supports a community organization like Neighbor to Neighbor, the Main South Alliance, or the Worcester Homeless Action Committee is not prohibited at the polls under state law, and people willing to assist with and observe the elections process should not be attacked for their commitment to our democratic system."

Read the news release | Read more about voting rights

Members of the Worcester County Chapter took part as observers in a special election for state representative held Tues., May 10th, 2011, in the Sixth Worcester District.

Although the ACLU is a non-partisan organization and does not comment on candidates, we do support equal access to the ballot and oppose voter intimidation.

ACLU observers participated to ensure that other observers were not using the voter-challenge process to intimidate Latino voters, after advertising suggested that ID was required to vote. ACLU members observed the election in East Brookfield, Oxford, Spencer, and Southbridge.

Complaint alleges use of excessive force during routine motor vehicle stop.