Reimagining the Role of Police

Anthony D. Romero, ACLU Executive Director

Over

By By Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director, ACLU

Protesters take a knee on Flatbush Avenue in front of New York City police officers during a solidarity rally for George Floyd

Police Use of Force at a Time of Peaceful Protest

On May 31, less than one week after the murder of George Floyd, who grew up in Texas and was killed by a Minneapolis police officer in broad daylight, the Dallas Police Department’s (DPD) Twitter feed blandly reported “76 individuals arrested and jailed and approximately 45 to 60 more being processed to go to jail.”

By Marissa Ocampo, Selene Escalera

Image: A graphic shows two stylized photos collaged together. In the foreground is a crowd, fists, signs, and phones raised. In the background, police officers in riot gear stand in a line, facing the crowd.

Dallas County Officials are Leaving Vulnerable People to Catch COVID-19 in Jail

Andrea Woods, Staff Attorney, Criminal Law Reform Project

Wyki

By Andrea Woods

A gloved hand points to a holding cell in a Los Angeles jail.

A Tale of Two Texases: Racially Targeted Arrests in the Age of Marijuana Reform

Lewis Conway Jr. was just planning a romantic anniversary getaway to San Antonio with his wife earlier last year.

By Lauren Johnson

Photo of Lewis Conway, Jr. with his wife in San Antonio

Reducing Mass Incarceration to Protect Texans’ Lives

All across Texas, the novel coronavirus is revealing, or at least reminding us, of how broken our state’s criminal legal system is.

By Nick Hudson

Police car with lights on roof highlighted

COVID-19 Stay-Home Orders: What You Need to Know

Most public health experts have agreed that staying at home and minimizing contact with other people are two important ways we can all help stem the spread of COVID-19.

By Dominique Walker

Stay at home orders covid-19 quarantine coronavirus

How to Protect Civil Liberties During a Pandemic

We are living through unusual times. The daily news surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic has caused some anxiety around still-unanswered questions, and many cities in Texas are issuing stay-at-home orders. So, what now?

By Selene Escalera

Woman working from home

There is an Urgent Threat Looming in Texas’ Jails. And We Can Fix it.

This is a piece about the more than 60,000 people in jails across Texas, the people who work inside the jails as well as courtrooms and police stations, and what we can do to save lives in our community. 

By Sarah Labowitz

Covid 19 pre-trial release

Texas’ COVID-19 Response Must Protect Health, Safety, and Civil Liberties

We know that all Texans are concerned about the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus cases in our state and across the country. This situation requires a large-scale response from state and local leaders. We’re counting on them to protect the health and safety of all Texans, and our rights and civil liberties. We sent the below letter to Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Patrick, the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, and the mayors of Texas’ ten largest cities, urging that civil rights and civil liberties not take a backseat as we respond to this situation.

By Terri Burke

Coronavirus and Civil liberties