News & Commentary

The ACLU of North Carolina monitored and advocated for or against more than 160 bills concerning civil rights and civil liberties at the General Assembly this year. Here is a high-level look at what passed and what didn’t, and what the ACLU-NC and our partners were able to accomplish.

No longer will a young person who makes one bad decision and is charged with even the most minor offense — like stealing a candy bar — be housed in an adult jail nor saddled with the consequences of a lifelong criminal record.

Almost four years ago, the American Civil Liberties Union and Southern Coalition for Social Justice challenged VIVA, described by one expert as “the most sweeping anti-voter law in at least decades.” The Supreme Court announced today that it would not review that law.

How much money do you have to pay before you cast your ballot on Election Day? As the cornerstone of our democracy, voting is supposed to be fair, accessible – and free. But for an increasing number of North Carolinians, the right to vote can cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

All members of the public – regardless of their personal religious beliefs – should feel welcome when they attend meetings of their local government that discuss issues affecting the community. But for years in Rowan County, North Carolina, that was not the case.

This is a remarkable day. When Donald Trump was elected president, we promised that if he tried to implement his unconstitutional and un-American policies that we would take him to court. We did that today. And we won.

For more than fifty years, the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina has defended freedom and justice for all, no matter who is in office or what power they may wield. Our role is no different today. Our work to hold the government to the eternal promise of the Constitution continues.