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.

Apr 14, 2020

ACLU, Massachusetts Public Health Association urge release of vulnerable people amid COVID-19

The ACLU of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Public Health Association call on Governor Baker to decrease the number of people who are currently incarcerated in Massachusetts. 
Issue Areas: Criminal Law Reform
Apr 07, 2020

ACLU of Massachusetts urges equitable response to COVID-19

The ACLU of Massachusetts has renewed calls for an equitable COVID-19 response, including collecting race and ethnicity data on testing and treatment.
Issue Areas: Racial Justice
Apr 03, 2020

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court orders some relief for people held pretrial, in ACLU, CPCS, MACDL lawsuit

The Supreme Judicial Court today issued an order that will help some pretrial detainees seeking release due to the pandemic.
Issue Areas: Criminal Law Reform
Apr 01, 2020

ACLU of Massachusetts featured in new Netflix series “How to Fix a Drug Scandal”

The four-part docuseries covers the ACLU’s historic work in the Massachusetts drug lab cases.
Issue Areas: Criminal Law Reform
Mar 31, 2020

ACLU statement on SJC lawsuit to release vulnerable people from prison, jails

The Supreme Judicial Court hearing on our petition to reduce incarceration during the COVID-19 crisis has concluded.
Issue Areas: Criminal Law Reform
Mar 27, 2020

ICE releases Massachusetts detainees at risk of COVID-19, after ACLU lawsuit

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement released two immigrants detained in the Plymouth County Correctional Facility in Massachusetts after the ACLU of Massachusetts filed a lawsuit earlier this week.
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
Mar 25, 2020

ACLU sues ICE to release Massachusetts detainees at risk of COVID-19

To protect their lives, Mario Luis Rodas-Mazariegos and Ray Anthony Marzouca seek immediate release from ICE detention to a location where they may safely self-isolate for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
Mar 24, 2020

ACLU, defense groups file lawsuit urging state supreme court to urgently protect health of incarcerated people

The ACLU and defense groups are asking the Supreme Judicial Court to take immediate action to limit outbreaks of COVID-19 in Massachusetts jails, prisons, and houses of correction.
Issue Areas: Criminal Law Reform