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 29, 2026

ACLU of Massachusetts Sues U.S. Department of Defense for Public Records on Military Officers Assigned to Serve as Temporary Immigration Judges

The apparent deployment of active-duty military as judges with the power to deport and jail civilians raises serious constitutional questions
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights, Government Transparency
Court Cases: ACLU of Massachusetts v. U.S. Department of Defense
Jan 27, 2026

Families of Trinidadian Men Killed in Illegal Boat Strike Sue Trump Administration

Oct. 14 strike that killed Chad Joseph and Rishi Samaroo is part of an unprecedented bombing campaign in the Caribbean
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights, Government Transparency
Court Cases: Burnley v. U.S.
Jan 31, 2025

Advocates Oppose Governor's Open Meeting Law Proposal

The Municipal Empowerment Act again falls short on ensuring reasonable access to public meetings.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency
Jun 25, 2024

Legislative committee advances bill to modernize Open Meeting Law, guarantee hybrid meetings

In the wake of the pandemic, too many government bodies have reverted to in-person-only meetings, disenfranchising people with disabilities and others.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency
Apr 1, 2024

Virtual access to public meetings set to expire March 31, 2025

Accessibility makes our democracy stronger, and we can’t afford to close the door on people who previously faced barriers to exclusively in-person meetings.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency
Feb 27, 2024

Advocates criticize Municipal Empowerment Act’s approach to public meeting reforms

It’s time to guarantee the permanent removal of long-standing barriers to participation that particularly impact people with disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, or limited transportation.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency
Jan 23, 2024

Supreme Judicial Court rules that Hampden DA withheld exculpatory evidence of police misconduct

In a major decision, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office violated its duties to disclose and inquire about exculpatory evidence of widespread police misconduct.
Issue Areas: Police Accountability, Government Transparency, Criminal Justice Law Reform
Jul 26, 2023

Public access advocates testify in support of guaranteed hybrid open meetings

Hybrid meetings are the only way to maximize public access to government deliberations. The legislature should update the Open Meeting Law to guarantee hybrid meetings moving forward.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency
May 9, 2023

ACLU files public records lawsuit against Auditor’s Office for wrongfully withholding records

The ACLU of Massachusetts today filed a public records lawsuit against the Office of the State Auditor for wrongfully withholding documents related to prisoner deaths and health care at houses of correction in two counties.  
Issue Areas: Government Transparency