Press Releases

The American Civil Liberties Union has media staff available to handle inquiries from journalists on issues affecting civil liberties, including questions on legislative matters that touch on civil liberties and constitutional freedoms and inquiries related to ACLU lawsuits.

Reporters with questions about ACLU work, please contact media@aclum.org.

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New SWAT documents give snapshot of ugly militarization of U.S. police

George Joseph at The Intercept has published first-rate reporting and analysis of the documents the ACLU of Massachusetts obtained from NEMLEC:

July 7, 2015

"The war on drugs is being conducted in BearCats."

That's what Kade Crockford, our Technology for Liberty project director, told WBUR's Radio Boston in a discussion of the use of SWAT teams and other military-style tactics. John Fisher, Carlisle Chief of Police and president of the executive board of the Northeastern Massachusetts Law En

July 7, 2015

New records shed light on NEMLEC operations

"Kade Crockford, of the ACLU of Massachusetts, says the records suggest the state's SWAT units are increasingly being used for relatively minor, drug-related arrests and reflect a trend the organization has observed nationally...

July 7, 2015

Newly released SWAT records show failed drug war drives police militarization in Massachusetts

Never before published After Action Reports from a Massachusetts SWAT team reveal the extent to which the militarization of the police is bound up with drug prohibition and the government’s

July 7, 2015

Independent report confirms racially disparate treatment in Boston policing

An independent report released over the July 4 weekend on the Boston Police Department’s encounters with civilians confirms exactly what the BPD and the ACLU were told in March 2014, and what the ACLU said in a report released nearly 9 months ago – namely, that BPD’s street encounters reflect rac

July 4, 2015

Lawrence Trust Act moves forward to full City Council

In a unanimous 3-0 vote, the Ordinance & Intergovernmental Relations Committee of the Lawrence City Council approved the Lawrence Trust Act on June 23, 2015, allowing the ordinance to move to the full city council.

July 4, 2015