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 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
Sep 21, 2021

ACLU, Bridgewater State University release model policy to reform policing on college campuses

Developed over two years in close collaboration with students, police, and other higher education stakeholders, the Racially Just Policing Model Policy builds on recent statewide police reform to ensure campuses are safe learning, working, and living environments for all.
Issue Areas: Racial Justice
Sep 13, 2021

Students call for ban on face surveillance in Massachusetts schools

Students shouldn’t have to worry that their every move is being monitored or that their photos could end up in a police or immigration database simply because they came to class. Massachusetts lawmakers must protect students, teachers, and families from face surveillance technology.
Issue Areas: Privacy and Surveillance
Sep 10, 2021

Statement of ACLU of Massachusetts on Plymouth County plan to terminate 287(g) agreement

Detained immigrants, their families, and communities have fought for over a decade to end the 287(g) program because it entangles state and local agencies with federal immigration enforcement. We are glad to see the Plymouth County contract end.
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
Aug 25, 2021

ACLU of Massachusetts statement on Supreme Court denial of stay in “Remain in Mexico” case

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Biden administration must restart the so-called “Migrant Protection Protocols,” which forced tens of thousands of asylum-seekers to dangerous cities along the U.S.-Mexico border during the pendency of their U.S. immigration proceedings. 
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
Court Cases: Bollat Vasquez et al. v Wolf et al.