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 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
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
Jul 26, 2021

ACLU statement on nomination of Rachael Rollins as U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts

As Suffolk County District Attorney, Rachael Rollins has demonstrated what a difference a DA makes. The ACLU looks forward to working with her if she is confirmed as U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts.
Issue Areas: Criminal Law Reform
Jul 09, 2021

ACLU of Massachusetts on DA Rollins’ move to vacate more tainted drug lab convictions

During the Massachusetts drug lab scandals, thousands of people were wrongfully convicted of drug crimes based on faulty evidence and a government cover-up. We applaud District Attorney Rachael Rollins for fulfilling her pledge to seek to vacate some Suffolk County drug convictions.
Issue Areas: Criminal Law Reform
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
Mar 22, 2021

Statement of the ACLU of Massachusetts on District Attorney Rollins’ “Hinton Lab Initiative"

During the Massachusetts drug lab scandals, thousands of people were wrongfully convicted of drug crimes based on faulty evidence and a government cover-up.
Issue Areas: Criminal Law Reform