We are proud to join with you in fighting for the civil liberties of all residents of the District of Columbia.
It has been an unprecedented year. From the racist practices of the police to the inequalities laid bare by COVID-19, we have fought at every step to prevent egregious threats to our democracy and stand up for our rights as Americans. We have been protesting, testifying before the D.C. Council and taking the government to court. At every step of the way, our members and donors stood with us and encouraged our work. Every one of the stories shared has been possible because of people like you.
Who We Are
OUR MISSION
Founded in 1961, the ACLU of the District of Columbia serves to protect, preserve, and expand the civil liberties of all residents of the District. As the home of the U.S. federal government, we also co-counsel on national cases that impact all Americans. We work through an integrated advocacy approach that puts pressure on all branches of government, ensuring that it is truly “of the people, for the people, and by the people.”
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
TELL YOUR STORY
How We Work
LITIGATION
When the police use excessive force, or the government muzzles protestors, or Trump tries a new racist immigration rule, it is our Legal team that sues to stop injustices.
LEGISLATION
Our Policy team meets with city officials and testifies before the D.C. Council in our mission to dismantle mass incarceration, protect everyone’s privacy, and set a budget that reflects the values of D.C. residents.
PUBLIC EDUCATION
We are in the community, giving Know Your Rights trainings to vulnerable communities, soliciting stories of police interactions, and hearing from you as we set our agenda.
Our Team
Our Issues
Our strength lies in our intersectional approach: every person is multi-faceted, and we have the expertise to make sure all of their rights are upheld.
CRIMINAL LEGAL REFORM
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
DISABILITY RIGHTS
IMMIGRANTS’ RIGHTS
LGBT RIGHTS
Watch a Hearing on DC Statehood. This video starts at 56:52
D.C.
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COVID-19 and Civil Liberties
Shoulder-to-shoulder dining areas. Little medical care. Inadequate cleaning supplies. The novel coronavirus laid bare the inhumane conditions that incarcerated and institutionalized populations endure in the District. We fought to keep our most vulnerable populations safe.
D.C. JAIL
Our ongoing lawsuit and advocacy campaign led to a 20% reduction in the number of incarcerated at the Jail, most of whom have yet to be convicted of a crime.
ST. ELIZABETHS
We first sued the state-run psychiatric hospital when the water was shut off in October. Unsanitary conditions were only exacerbated by the pandemic.
HOPE VILLAGE
Nearly all of the residents of this halfway house were released to home confinement after we sued the Bureau of Prisons.
CHILDREN AT THE BORDER
Unaccompanied minors fleeing violence are being denied refugee claims on the grounds that they might have COVID-19.
14,000 Strong
Members and Supporters
It is only because of the steadfast support of thousands of District residents that we are able to go into this election season with all cylinders firing. No matter the result, we will need your continued support to advocate for the most vulnerable and repair the damage to our civil rights.
UPDATE YOUR MEMBERSHIP
CREATE YOUR LEGACY
Cooperating Attorneys
A Better Childhood, Inc.
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
American Immigration Council
Arent Fox
Arnold & Porter
Center for Gender & Refugee Studies
Covington & Burling
Mark Goldstone
Human Rights First
Hogan Lovells
Jenner & Block
Knight First Amendment Institute
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Loevy & Loevy
Mandel Legal Aid Clinic, University of Chicago Law School
Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic, Yale Law School
Miller & Chevalier
Munger, Tolles & Olson
NAACP Legal Defense Fund
National Immigrant Justice Center
National Immigration Law Center
Open the Government
Oxfam America
Public Citizen Litigation Group
Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Roderick & Solange MacArthur Justice Center
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Sidley Austin
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan
Texas Civil Rights Project
Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Wilkenfeld, Herendeen & Atkinson
FINANCIALS
The ACLU-DC is comprised of two organizations, the American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia and the ACLU Foundation of the District of Columbia. Contributions to ACLU-DC Foundation are tax deductible for charitable purposes, while ACLU-DC membership dues are not.
ACLU-DC Foundation
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ACLU-DC
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