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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Feb 8, 2025

Half a Mile from the Flames: LA County’s Brush with Catastrophe Demonstrates the Urgent Need to Protect People in Jails and Prisons from Climate Change

Criminal Justice
Wildfires raging across Greater Los Angeles have revealed that our county and cities are not only under-resourced to combat natural disasters but also ill-prepared to protect people in custody.
Wildfires raging across Greater Los Angeles have revealed that our county and cities are not only under-resourced to combat natural disasters but also ill-prepared to protect people in custody.
Hughes fire, in Castaic, burns on a hill threatening the freeway below while cars attempt to escape.
Hughes fire, in Castaic, burns on a hill threatening the freeway below while cars attempt to escape.
Feb 4, 2025

What is an Executive Order and How Does it Work?

What executive orders can – and cannot – do, and why we have them in the first place
What executive orders can – and cannot – do, and why we have them in the first place
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.
Feb 4, 2025

"Hope is the Counter to Fear."

Immigrants' Rights
Daishi Miguel-Tanaka is an immigrant rights advocate and DACA recipient. In the face of the Trump administration’s unlawful immigration tactics, he’s working at the local level and in communities to help...
Daishi Miguel-Tanaka is an immigrant rights advocate and DACA recipient. In the face of the Trump administration’s unlawful immigration tactics, he’s working at the local level and in communities to help...
A photo of Daishi Miguel-Tanaka.
A photo of Daishi Miguel-Tanaka.
Jan 30, 2025

Why Sanctioning the ICC Would Be Terrible for Civil Liberties

National Security
Sanctions would endanger the investigation of war crimes across the globe and prove a grave blow to human rights.
Sanctions would endanger the investigation of war crimes across the globe and prove a grave blow to human rights.
An exterior view of the International Criminal Court In The Hague, Netherlands, with the sign of with of the official logo and inscription of the International Criminal Court in the foreground.
An exterior view of the International Criminal Court In The Hague, Netherlands, with the sign of with of the official logo and inscription of the International Criminal Court in the foreground.
Jan 29, 2025

Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Birthright Citizenship?

Immigrants' Rights
President Donald Trump has issued an executive order to eliminate birthright citizenship. Take our quiz to see how much you know about the history of birthright citizenship and the legality of Trump’s order.
President Donald Trump has issued an executive order to eliminate birthright citizenship. Take our quiz to see how much you know about the history of birthright citizenship and the legality of Trump’s order.
A collage of images pertaining to birthright citizenship.
A collage of images pertaining to birthright citizenship.
Jan 24, 2025

Trump’s Executive Orders Rolling Back DEI and Accessibility Efforts, Explained

These orders represent a deliberate attempt to undo progress on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and create new barriers to opportunity.
These orders represent a deliberate attempt to undo progress on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and create new barriers to opportunity.
Several hands raising, one of which belongs to a Black person.
Several hands raising, one of which belongs to a Black person.