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 15, 2022

Massachusetts legislature extends remote access to public meetings

The Massachusetts legislature has extended the option for public bodies subject to the Open Meeting Law to continue conducting meetings virtually, with remote access for members of the public. The option to hold virtual public meetings was set to expire statewide today.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency
Jul 07, 2022

Advocates applaud Massachusetts House vote to make permanent remote access to public meetings

With the option to hold virtual public meetings set to expire statewide on July 15, the Massachusetts House of Representatives today voted to extend remote access to public meetings until March 31, 2023.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency
Apr 27, 2022

Advocates support permanent remote access option for Boston public meetings

With virtual public meetings set to expire statewide on July 15, several advocacy organizations today announced support for a new Boston proposal to permanently establish virtual participation options for public meetings.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency
Mar 24, 2022

Advocates applaud Massachusetts House’s hybrid hearing plans

Across the Commonwealth, remote access to public meetings has significantly increased public participation in state and local government.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency
Feb 28, 2022

ACLU, American Oversight Ask Judge to Order Further Searches in Lawsuit Related to Federal Prosecution of State Court Judge

The ACLU and American Oversight filed a brief in support of their lawsuit against ICE for the release of records concerning the prosecution of a Massachusetts state judge, including the emails and text messages of seven agency officials.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency
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
Apr 29, 2021

Statement of ACLU of Massachusetts on President Biden’s first 100 days

Even as President Biden has taken swift and key executive actions in his first 100 days in office, the work ahead is significant—particularly on racial justice and immigration. Massachusetts policymakers cannot wait for the federal government to act on these issues.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency
Mar 22, 2021

Statement of ACLU of Massachusetts on Senate Confirmation of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh

As the nation faces challenging unemployment and a longstanding racial wealth gap, working families have a new advocate in Washington.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency
Mar 15, 2021

Boston introduces digital democracy ordinance

Local democracy works best when all of us are able to engage. The ACLU supports a Boston proposal to increase remote access for all public meetings.
Issue Areas: Government Transparency