2025 in Review: Defending Democracy in D.C. and Beyond
The First 100 Days of Trump
Protecting Freedom of Speech
Fighting Trump’s D.C. Power Grab
Protecting D.C. Home Rule
The Trump Administration’s power grab to seize control of D.C.’s police force and deploy the National Guard in our streets only intensifies the need for D.C. Statehood.
First Amendment Rights
The First Amendment protects fundamental freedoms for everyone in the U.S., laying the groundwork for so much of our democracy. Here in the nation’s capital, protecting these rights for all is not just important, it’s vital.
Immigrants’ Rights
When the government has the power to deny legal rights and due process to one group of people, it puts all of our rights in danger. Everyone in the U.S. has guaranteed rights under the Constitution, including protections against unlawful searches and seizures, the right to remain silent, the right to speak to an attorney, and due process guarantees if detained or facing removal proceedings regardless of their immigration status.
ACLU-DC in Action
Know your Rights
Everyone has basic rights under the U.S. Constitution and civil rights laws. The phrase “knowledge is power” is certainly true when protecting your rights. The ACLU-D.C. has easy-to-use resources of “Know Your Rights” materials to help District residents understand their rights and react effectively when their rights are under threat. If you believe your civil liberties or civil rights were violated, the best way to request help from the ACLU-D.C. is online at acludc.org/help
Federal Workers Rally
On March 26th, the ACLU stood alongside these fired federal workers and filing a class action complaint to demand their reinstatement.
@acludc The president cannot target federal employees simply because of who they are or what the Trump administration thinks they believe. We took our advocacy to the streets to stand in solidarity with unconstitutionally terminated federal employees.
♬ original sound - ACLU-DC
Rights for ALL
IMMIGRANT RIGHTS HUB
The second Trump administration is expected to implement sweeping immigration policies, including what could be the largest mass detention and deportation program in U.S. history. These policies are likely to target immigrant families and communities, increase enforcement measures, and weaken protections for non-citizens.
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GBTQ Rights’ Hub
Wherever and whenever governments have tried to enforce rules around gender, there have been people like us defying them. Regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity, you have guaranteed rights under the U.S. Constitution and D.C. Law. Understanding your rights and preparing for potential changes to the law are critical steps toward protecting yourself and your community.
OUR IMPACT
FROM MONICA
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FROM Board President
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FROM DONOR
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Thank you to everyone who makes this work possible!
Cooperating Partners
A Better Childhood, Inc.
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
American Immigration Council
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP
Atkinson Law Group
Ballard Spahr LLP
Covington & Burling
D.C. Open Government Coalition
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Federal Public Defender for the District of Columbia
Hogan Lovells US LLP
Holland & Knight LLP
Human Rights First
Jenner & Block
Knight First Amendment Institute
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Law Office of Jeffrey L Light
Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia
Loevy & Loevy
Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP
Morris E. Fischer, LLC
National Immigrant Justice Center
National Immigration Law Center
National Immigration Litigation Alliance
Oxfam
Public Citizen
Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Robbins, Russell, Englert, Orseck & Untereiner LLP
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
Texas Civil Rights Project
University of California, Hastings Center for Gender & Refugee Studies
Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs
WilmerHale
Yale Law School Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic
Would you like to help us live up to the promise of the Constitution?
Ways to help defend democracy
2025 Bill of Rights Celebration
THANK YOU
to our sponsors, awardees, and everyone who attended our Bill of Rights Celebration on May 13th! Please join us for our 65th anniversary celebration this year on May 12th, 2026!
