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.

Mar 07, 2023

State’s highest court declares “public comment” restrictions unconstitutional

Our state constitution protects our right to make our voices heard, including by expressing criticism to and about public officials.
Issue Areas: Free Speech and Expression, Government Transparency
Mar 01, 2023

Boston introduces ordinance to make hybrid access to public meetings permanent

The ACLU of Massachusetts supports the proposal to make local government more accessible to all Boston residents.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency
Feb 23, 2023

ACLU of Massachusetts launches Advocates Academy

The program comes as state legislatures and local governments across the country have emerged as key battlegrounds for civil rights, including free speech, privacy, LGBTQ rights, and more. 
Issue Areas: Voting Rights, Government Transparency
Feb 09, 2023

Massachusetts Senate passes hybrid hearings for joint standing committees

This legislative session, Massachusetts lawmakers have the chance to promote open meeting access for all by permanently allowing both officials and constituents to attend meetings in person or remotely.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency
Feb 01, 2023

Massachusetts House embraces hybrid hearings for joint standing committees

This hybrid hearing rule reflects great leadership: In many communities across the state, remote and hybrid meetings significantly and equitably increase public participation in local government.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency
Nov 02, 2022

ACLU statement on oral arguments in Massachusetts free speech case

The ACLU of Massachusetts filed an amicus brief urging the Commonwealth’s highest court to strike down the policy because it authorizes content-based and viewpoint-based discrimination in a forum specifically created for members of the public to provide feedback—including criticism...
Issue Areas: Free Speech and Expression, Government Transparency
Sep 19, 2022

ACLU of Massachusetts files lawsuit seeking Trump “declassification order”

The ACLU of Massachusetts filed a public records lawsuit to gather information about whether former President Donald Trump lied when he recently asserted the existence of a declassification “standing order” for materials he removed from the Oval Office.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency
Aug 19, 2022

ICE Admits to Practice of Deleting Texts of Senior Officials

In court filings submitted Thursday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) admitted that, during the Trump administration, ICE instructed officials to wipe their own agency-issued cell phones once they departed the agency.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency
Aug 05, 2022

Open government advocates decry Gov. Baker’s veto of remote access funds

Governor Baker yesterday vetoed $30 million in the general government infrastructure bond bill (H.5065) that the Legislature had authorized for grants to expand remote and hybrid access to public meetings in municipalities throughout Massachusetts.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency