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 01, 2021

Limited face recognition regulations take effect today

Our movement to stop face recognition has been successful so far because policymakers and residents alike understand this technology is dangerous when it works, and when it doesn’t. But we have more to do to guarantee our basic freedoms thrive in the 21st century.
Issue Areas: Privacy and Surveillance
Jun 16, 2021

Advocacy organizations call for permanent remote access option for all public meetings

Following votes to temporarily extend certain pandemic policies, over a dozen advocacy organizations are calling for permanent reforms to ensure continued virtual access to public meetings.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency
Jun 15, 2021

ACLU comment on Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act

In Massachusetts and nationwide, people should be able to seek medical treatment, attend religious services, and visit friends and family without worrying that government agencies are keeping tabs on their every movement.
Issue Areas: Privacy and Surveillance
May 20, 2021

ACLU statement on Biden administration terminating Bristol County ICE agreements

By shuttering detention facilities with a track record of problematic conditions and ending local collaboration with ICE, we can work together toward a fairer and more humane immigration system.
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
May 18, 2021

Amazon extends its face recognition technology moratorium

The threats posed last year by police use of face recognition technology are identical today. We are glad that Amazon will extend its moratorium on law enforcement use of the company’s face recognition technology, but policymakers must do more to further protect communities from this technology.
Issue Areas: Privacy and Surveillance
May 13, 2021

Former Pioneer Valley resident Niberd Abdalla wins immigration case

An immigration judge granted a local man permanent legal status, marking the end of a four-year legal effort to stay in the United States with his wife.
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
May 13, 2021

Statement of ACLU of Massachusetts on Boston tear gas ordinance

Tear gas and rubber bullets are dangerous, indiscriminate, and intended to cause acute pain. Restricting their use is just one part of the much larger work that must continue in order to achieve public safety for us all.
Issue Areas: Police Accountability
May 11, 2021

Statement of ACLU of Massachusetts on proposed MBTA fare regulations

The MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board announced it will not move forward with a new policy that would have marked driver’s licenses for non-renewal when someone does not pay their MBTA fare. Too often, debt-based driver’s license suspensions perpetuate financial instability.
Issue Areas: Criminal Law Reform
May 06, 2021

Family continues to seeks justice for young woman denied medical care in state custody

A federal court denied two motions to dismiss claims in a lawsuit filed by the family of Madelyn Linsenmeir against the Springfield Police Department and Hampden County’s Sheriff Department, allowing the wrongful death suit to move forward.
Issue Areas: Police Accountability