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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Mar 20, 2025

A Statement from Constitutional Law Scholars on Columbia

Free Speech
The government may not threaten funding cuts as a tool to pressure recipients into suppressing First Amendment–protected speech.
The government may not threaten funding cuts as a tool to pressure recipients into suppressing First Amendment–protected speech.
Facade of the Columbia University Library with the ALMA MATER statue in the foreground.
Facade of the Columbia University Library with the ALMA MATER statue in the foreground.
Mar 20, 2025

A Letter From Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil

Free Speech
Khalil, who was unlawfully arrested in retaliation for his advocacy, details this violation of his free speech rights.
Khalil, who was unlawfully arrested in retaliation for his advocacy, details this violation of his free speech rights.
A picture of Mahmoud Khalil.
A picture of Mahmoud Khalil.
Mar 14, 2025

Trump’s Attack on the Department of Education, Explained

Youth & Student Rights
The Trump administration just put millions of students’ education and civil rights at risk by closing key Department of Education offices and firing half of its workforce.
The Trump administration just put millions of students’ education and civil rights at risk by closing key Department of Education offices and firing half of its workforce.
The exterior of the the Education Department (ED) headquarters in Washington, DC.
The exterior of the the Education Department (ED) headquarters in Washington, DC.
Mar 13, 2025

A core part of Trump’s agenda is to rollback our country’s progress towards an inclusive, just democracy

Racial Justice

Starting on day one of his second term, Trump started dismantling federal policies and programs created to advance racial justice and equity across our country — laws and policies that are necessary to make...

Starting on day one of his second term, Trump started dismantling federal policies and programs created to advance racial justice and equity across our country — laws and policies that are necessary to make...

President Donald Trump holds up a recently signed executive order in the Oval Office of the White House.
President Donald Trump holds up a recently signed executive order in the Oval Office of the White House.
Mar 7, 2025

Singled Out for Speaking Up: How UCSC Seized My Digital Life After I Joined a Lawsuit Against Them

Privacy & Technology
A student is suing UC Santa Cruz to challenge the unconstitutional search and seizure of her phone in retaliation for her participation in a pro-Palestine, anti-war protest last spring.
A student is suing UC Santa Cruz to challenge the unconstitutional search and seizure of her phone in retaliation for her participation in a pro-Palestine, anti-war protest last spring.
A photo of a someone scrolling on a smartphone.
A photo of a someone scrolling on a smartphone.
Mar 6, 2025

Rights of Federal Employees with Disabilities, Explained

The Trump administration has issued a number of directives affecting federal employees with disabilities, but laws protecting these workers remain.
The Trump administration has issued a number of directives affecting federal employees with disabilities, but laws protecting these workers remain.
Disabled worker in a wheelchair typing at keyboard while looking at two computer screens.
Disabled worker in a wheelchair typing at keyboard while looking at two computer screens.