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.

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Apr 16, 2025

Mid Session Update

We’ve reached the midpoint of the 2025 Oregon Legislative Session at a time when our democracy and the rule of law are under coordinated federal attack.

We’ve reached the midpoint of the 2025 Oregon Legislative Session at a time when our democracy and the rule of law are under coordinated federal attack.

2025 Legislative session Campaign Header with a blue background, art of the Oregon capital building and blue lines circling the building. The image says, "State of Oregon Legislative Session 2024"
2025 Legislative session Campaign Header with a blue background, art of the Oregon capital building and blue lines circling the building. The image says, "State of Oregon Legislative Session 2024"
Apr 16, 2025

Trump's Expanded Domestic Military Use Should Worry Us All

President Donald Trump's use of the military domestically is dangerous and deeply misguided.
President Donald Trump's use of the military domestically is dangerous and deeply misguided.
Members of the National Guard patrol the area surrounding the outskirts of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.
Members of the National Guard patrol the area surrounding the outskirts of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.
Apr 14, 2025

Writing an Op-Ed is not Grounds for Deportation

Immigrants' Rights
The U.S. government’s escalating attacks on noncitizens’ right to free speech, including our client Rümeysa Öztürk, should scare us all.
The U.S. government’s escalating attacks on noncitizens’ right to free speech, including our client Rümeysa Öztürk, should scare us all.
Rümeysa Öztürk headshot
Rümeysa Öztürk headshot
Apr 8, 2025

Letter to My Husband, Mahmoud Khalil

Free Speech
As she prepares to welcome her first child with husband Mahmoud Khalil, Dr. Noor Abdalla writes to her husband one month after he was unlawfully detained for exercising his free speech rights. 
As she prepares to welcome her first child with husband Mahmoud Khalil, Dr. Noor Abdalla writes to her husband one month after he was unlawfully detained for exercising his free speech rights. 
A photo of Mahmoud Khalil and Dr. Noor Abdalla.
A photo of Mahmoud Khalil and Dr. Noor Abdalla.
Apr 8, 2025

Death Row Case Exposes Failures to Protect Childhood Trauma Survivors

Death Penalty
Mikal Mahdi’s life was marked by abuse. Today, as he awaits execution, the courts have the responsibility to acknowledge the systemic failures that shaped his path.
Mikal Mahdi’s life was marked by abuse. Today, as he awaits execution, the courts have the responsibility to acknowledge the systemic failures that shaped his path.
Mikal Mahdi headshot wearing a white tee shirt.
Mikal Mahdi headshot wearing a white tee shirt.
Apr 7, 2025

We can resist fascists, and we can win!

Free Speech
On Saturday, April 5, 2025, millions of people across the United States took to our streets to protest for our democracy. An estimated 10,000 people showed up in downtown Portland, where ACLU of Oregon’s...
On Saturday, April 5, 2025, millions of people across the United States took to our streets to protest for our democracy. An estimated 10,000 people showed up in downtown Portland, where ACLU of Oregon’s...
Group of rally attendees at Portland Waterfront
Group of rally attendees at Portland Waterfront