Blogs

ACLU of Oregon's work at the legislature, in the courts, and in our communities is important — but there is no better defender of civil liberties and civil rights than an informed and engaged public. We see it as our duty to keep the public informed about the state of their civil liberties.

Filter News
Feb 9, 2023

State Lawmakers Must Protect the Cultural and Religious Expression of Indigenous Students

Proposed legislation would codify the rights of Indigenous students to wear tribal regalia.
Proposed legislation would codify the rights of Indigenous students to wear tribal regalia.
Emalyce Kee, holding up her "forbidden" graduation cap that she decorated with Native beads on May 25, 2022, in Cedar City, Utah.
Emalyce Kee, holding up her "forbidden" graduation cap that she decorated with Native beads on May 25, 2022, in Cedar City, Utah.
Feb 2, 2023

What is Mifepristone and Why is it Essential to Abortion Access?

Here are five facts to know about medication abortion, and why it’s a critical part of our fight for abortion access.
Here are five facts to know about medication abortion, and why it’s a critical part of our fight for abortion access.
Boxes of the drug mifepristone.
Boxes of the drug mifepristone.
Feb 1, 2023

Making Black History, Building Black Futures

The battle for civil rights continues to this day. Here are some of the Black leaders who laid the groundwork — and those carrying the fight for true equality into the future.
The battle for civil rights continues to this day. Here are some of the Black leaders who laid the groundwork — and those carrying the fight for true equality into the future.
Autherine Lucy, left, front, 26-year-old student at the University of Alabama, arrives at U.S. District Court for the hearing of her petition for an order requiring the school to re-admit her to classes in Birmingham, Ala., Feb. 29, 1956. With Lucy are...
Autherine Lucy, left, front, 26-year-old student at the University of Alabama, arrives at U.S. District Court for the hearing of her petition for an order requiring the school to re-admit her to classes in Birmingham, Ala., Feb. 29, 1956. With Lucy are...
Jan 23, 2023

How the ACLU Tracks Anti-LGBTQ Bills, and How We’re Fighting Back

Keep tabs on state legislative attacks against LGBTQ people with the ACLU's nationwide tracking system.
Keep tabs on state legislative attacks against LGBTQ people with the ACLU's nationwide tracking system.
Demonstrators gather on the steps of the Montana State Capitol protesting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
Demonstrators gather on the steps of the Montana State Capitol protesting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
Jan 18, 2023

The Intertwined Future of Attacks on Abortion and Gender-Affirming Care

We’re poised to fight back against state legislative efforts to control our bodies and limit access to essential health care.
We’re poised to fight back against state legislative efforts to control our bodies and limit access to essential health care.
New members of Congress being sworn in at the US Capitol on Saturday, January 07, 2023.
New members of Congress being sworn in at the US Capitol on Saturday, January 07, 2023.
Jan 12, 2023

Opinion: True justice and safety require sustainable public defense system

Criminal Justice
No one should face criminal charges without access to an attorney, regardless of financial resources. Yet hundreds of Oregonians are currently stuck in limbo because the state government has failed to uphold...
No one should face criminal charges without access to an attorney, regardless of financial resources. Yet hundreds of Oregonians are currently stuck in limbo because the state government has failed to uphold...
Image of brass statue holding scales in courtroom
Image of brass statue holding scales in courtroom