News and Commentary

As the leading civil rights organization in the Lone Star State, we at the ACLU of Texas believe it is our duty to keep the public informed about the state of their civil liberties. The work we do at the legislature, in the courts, and in our communities is important, but there is no better defender of civil rights than a public that is informed and engaged.

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Oct 16, 2014

On the Creation of Giant Voiceprint Databases

Free Speech and Pluralism

The Associated Press ran a story (along with...

By By Jay Stanley, Senior Policy Analyst, ACLU Speech, Privacy & Technology Project

The Associated Press ran a story (along with...

By By Jay Stanley, Senior Policy Analyst, ACLU Speech, Privacy & Technology Project
Oct 16, 2014

A Ray of Hope for Women in the Lone Star State: Victory in the Supreme Court

At 7:15 on Tuesday night, we learned that the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked enforcement of part of the notorious Texas law that had shuttered 80 percent of the state’s abortion clinics. 

The...

By By Brigitte Amiri, ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project

At 7:15 on Tuesday night, we learned that the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked enforcement of part of the notorious Texas law that had shuttered 80 percent of the state’s abortion clinics. 

The...

By By Brigitte Amiri, ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project
Oct 15, 2014

Treat Ebola as a Public Health Issue, Not a National Security Matter

Free Speech and Pluralism

Since the government announced the introduction of new Ebola screening measures at border checkpoints at five U.S. airports,...

By By Jay Stanley, Senior Policy Analyst, ACLU Speech, Privacy & Technology Project

Since the government announced the introduction of new Ebola screening measures at border checkpoints at five U.S. airports,...

By By Jay Stanley, Senior Policy Analyst, ACLU Speech, Privacy & Technology Project
Oct 13, 2014

You Can't "De-Gay" Our GSA

My school, South Garland High School in Garland, Texas, is really large and diverse. It’s also right outside of Dallas, so it’s not like the fact that gay people exist is something new here. But I do still...

By By Joshua Kilburn

My school, South Garland High School in Garland, Texas, is really large and diverse. It’s also right outside of Dallas, so it’s not like the fact that gay people exist is something new here. But I do still...

By By Joshua Kilburn
Oct 11, 2014

A Great Day for Seven Americans Formerly on the No Fly List

An extraordinarily secret government blacklist just got a little bit less secret.

Seven American citizens who were banned by the government from air travel ...

By By Noa Yachot, Communications Strategist, ACLU

An extraordinarily secret government blacklist just got a little bit less secret.

Seven American citizens who were banned by the government from air travel ...

By By Noa Yachot, Communications Strategist, ACLU
Oct 9, 2014

A Psychotic Episode Shouldn't End in a Jail Cell

Michelle Mata wants to be treated the way you would want your mom to be treated.

She's an aunt and a neighbor. She likes line dancing. And she suffers from major depressive disorder with psychotic...

By By Kara Dansky, Senior Counsel, ACLU Center for Justice

Michelle Mata wants to be treated the way you would want your mom to be treated.

She's an aunt and a neighbor. She likes line dancing. And she suffers from major depressive disorder with psychotic...

By By Kara Dansky, Senior Counsel, ACLU Center for Justice