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.

Jul 20, 2026

ACLU of Massachusetts Surveillance Discovery Project to help defense attorneys learn if surveillance tech was used to build a case against their clients

Defendants should know when police use digital surveillance technology such as facial recognition software or license plate trackers. Model discovery motions will help lawyers find out.
Issue Areas: Privacy and Surveillance, Criminal Justice Law Reform, Police Accountability
Jul 13, 2026

ACLU of Massachusetts Renews “What a Difference a DA Makes” Campaign for 2026 District Attorney Elections

Long-running public education initiative highlights the impact prosecutors have on the community and the power of voters to hold them accountable
Issue Areas: Criminal Justice Law Reform, Racial Justice
Nov 6, 2025

ACLU of Massachusetts Statement on Counsel Crisis Following Oral Arguments at Supreme Judicial Court

When the state fails to create a system where indigent defense attorneys can afford to do their work, the most vulnerable defendants pay the cost. The court must step in and exercise its authority to protect the constitutional right to counsel.
Issue Areas: Criminal Justice Law Reform, Economic Justice
Jul 30, 2024

Massachusetts for Overdose Prevention Centers statement on Senate overdose prevention bill

Massachusetts is facing an ongoing opioid crisis, with six people dying every day from overdose. We thank the Massachusetts legislature for responding to this crisis with urgency and compassion.
Issue Areas: Criminal Justice Law Reform
Jun 28, 2024

ACLU of Massachusetts responds to Supreme Court decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson

Make no mistake: We cannot arrest our way out of homelessness. Instead, communities must prioritize proven solutions, like making housing more affordable and providing accessible and voluntary treatment.
Issue Areas: Criminal Justice Law Reform, Economic Justice
Jun 18, 2024

Massachusetts for Overdose Prevention Centers comment on new VT law authorizing OPCs

Vermont yesterday passed legislation that authorizes and funds an initial overdose prevention center (OPC) pilot in Burlington. 
Issue Areas: Criminal Justice Law Reform
Jun 12, 2024

Massachusetts for Overdose Prevention Centers responds to new statewide overdose death data

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health released new data today on the number of overdose-related deaths in Massachusetts in 2023. This data shows that there have been an estimated 2,125 overdose deaths in 2023, a 10 percent decrease compared to the 2,357 estimated overdose deaths in 2022.
Issue Areas: Criminal Justice Law Reform
Apr 4, 2024

Labor unions in Massachusetts join MA4OPC Coalition to support overdose prevention centers

The endorsing labor unions include 1199SEIU, SEIU Local 509, and CIR/SEIU — representing more than 100,000 Massachusetts health care workers, human service workers and educators, and interns and resident physicians.
Issue Areas: Criminal Justice Law Reform
Apr 3, 2024

ACLU of Massachusetts comment on Governor’s Council approval of Governor Healey’s blanket marijuana pardons

Tens of thousands of people in Massachusetts will now get a second chance, and will face fewer barriers to housing, jobs, education, student loans, and stability.
Issue Areas: Criminal Justice Law Reform