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.

Nov 23, 2021

ACLU, Rights Groups Testify in Favor of Face Surveillance Regulations

The ACLU of Massachusetts, together with privacy experts, racial justice advocates, and community activists, testified today in favor of legislation that would introduce stronger regulations on the government’s use of dangerous, often racially biased face recognition technology.
Issue Areas: Privacy and Surveillance
Nov 17, 2021

ACLU lawsuit to protect rights, health of people at Mass. and Cass proceeds

The City of Boston must not force people under threat of arrest to leave where they are unless and until they have a housing option that takes into account their disabilities and other barriers.
Issue Areas: Criminal Law Reform
Nov 10, 2021

ACLU lawsuit to protect constitutional rights, health of people at Mass. and Cass sent to Superior Court

This order reflects the seriousness of this lawsuit, and the City should take it as a moment to pause its enforcement actions so that the Superior Court can consider these critical issues.
Issue Areas: Criminal Law Reform
Nov 05, 2021

ACLU files lawsuit to protect constitutional rights, health of people at Mass. and Cass

The lawsuit seeks to stop the City of Boston from continuing to drive people out of the “Mass. and Cass” area without first identifying viable alternative housing options for them.
Issue Areas: Criminal Law Reform
Nov 03, 2021

Public Health & Human Rights for Mass. and Cass Coalition calls on Mayor-Elect Wu to take a health-centered approach to Mass. and Cass

A new coalition of public health, addiction, housing, and civil liberties experts called on Boston Mayor-Elect Michelle Wu to take a health-centered approach to the intersecting crises people are experiencing in the area of Melnea Cass Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue. 
Issue Areas: Criminal Law Reform
Nov 02, 2021

Statement of ACLU of Massachusetts on Facebook plans to shut down its face recognition software

Facebook today announced it will shut down its face recognition system and delete the faceprints of more than 1 billion people. In recent years, Amazon, Microsoft, and IBM have also heeded ACLU and other activists’ calls, pausing or stopping the sale of their face recognition products to law enforce
Issue Areas: Privacy and Surveillance
Oct 25, 2021

Public health and addiction experts urge officials to take a health-focused approach at “Mass. and Cass”

Public health, addiction, and housing experts today responded to mass displacements in the area of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard. 
Issue Areas: Criminal Law Reform
Oct 20, 2021

Boston passes law requiring community control of police surveillance

The City of Boston voted to pass an ordinance that will require community control over police surveillance (CCOPS). Boston now joins over 20 other municipalities nationwide—including Cambridge, Lawrence, and Somerville in Massachusetts—with CCOPS laws that empower local communities.
Issue Areas: Privacy and Surveillance
Oct 13, 2021

ACLU supports new Massachusetts bill to advance online privacy and equity

The ACLU of Massachusetts today testified before state lawmakers in support of the Massachusetts Information Privacy Act (MIPA), landmark legislation that would provide residents with the most robust digital privacy and equity protections in the nation.
Issue Areas: Privacy and Surveillance