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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Nov 1, 2013

Capability is Driving Policy, Not Just at the NSA But Also in Police Departments

Free Speech and Pluralism

If you’re concerned about the dragnet nature of the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs, then you should also pay attention to what your local police department is doing. You may find that the...

By By Catherine Crump, Staff Attorney, ACLU Speech, Privacy and Technology Project

If you’re concerned about the dragnet nature of the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs, then you should also pay attention to what your local police department is doing. You may find that the...

By By Catherine Crump, Staff Attorney, ACLU Speech, Privacy and Technology Project
Nov 1, 2013

Rikers Puts Mentally Ill Teens in "the Box"

Matthew was seventeen. He’d been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has struggled with serious drug dependency and a difficult home life. He needed help. Instead, he got locked in “the box.”

This...

By By Helen Vera, National Prison Project Fellow, ACLU

Matthew was seventeen. He’d been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has struggled with serious drug dependency and a difficult home life. He needed help. Instead, he got locked in “the box.”

This...

By By Helen Vera, National Prison Project Fellow, ACLU
Oct 31, 2013

From the Land of the Liberty Bell: Investigate the NSA

Here in Pennsylvania, we have a full-time legislature, so as the lobbyist for the Pennsylvania affiliate of the ACLU, I have plenty of opportunities for face time with state legislators and staff. Since...

By By Andy Hoover, ACLU of Pennsylvania

Here in Pennsylvania, we have a full-time legislature, so as the lobbyist for the Pennsylvania affiliate of the ACLU, I have plenty of opportunities for face time with state legislators and staff. Since...

By By Andy Hoover, ACLU of Pennsylvania
Oct 31, 2013

What Are the Memphis Police Hiding?

It is every citizen's right to videotape police activity in public spaces so long as they do not interfere with law enforcement. When the police act unlawfully, one might even say capturing that behavior...

By By Brandon Buskey, ACLU Criminal Law Reform Project

It is every citizen's right to videotape police activity in public spaces so long as they do not interfere with law enforcement. When the police act unlawfully, one might even say capturing that behavior...

By By Brandon Buskey, ACLU Criminal Law Reform Project
Oct 31, 2013

Massachusetts High Court Set to Rule on Whether State Can Force You to Decrypt Your Drive

Free Speech and Pluralism

Can the government force you to decrypt your hard drive? Do the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article 12 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights protect us from being compelled...

By By Kade Crockford, Director, ACLU of Massachusetts Technology for Liberty Project

Can the government force you to decrypt your hard drive? Do the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article 12 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights protect us from being compelled...

By By Kade Crockford, Director, ACLU of Massachusetts Technology for Liberty Project