ACLU of Vermont

But there is hope in the growing recognition that these rogue agencies cannot be reformed. It’s time to stop funding a toxic culture and start protecting our rights.

Read the latest op-ed at acluvt.org/news to see why we must demand our leaders reject this status quo.

In his latest op-ed, Duff unmasks a decades-long pattern of abuse and impunity within ICE and Border Patrol that predates any single administration. With 62% of Americans now realizing these agents make our communities less safe, we’ve reached a breaking point.

Executive Director, James Duff Lyall, has spent 20 years on the front lines of immigration advocacy—from the detention centers of Southern California to the borderlands of Arizona and right here in Vermont with the ACLU of Vermont.

Not an attorney? Help us spread the word, or consider making a donation to @vt_legal_defense_fund today to support essential legal services in our state.

Full details and the link to register available at acluvt.org/thp

We are just days away from our training on Thursday, February 26th. The Habeas Project of New England is calling on all federal litigators based in Vermont to volunteer and help us challenge wrongful ICE detentions.

Check out our recent blog post at acluvt.org/news to send a message to your lawmakers. Let them know you support economic justice and a Vermont that everyone can afford.

We need revenue to respond to these budget shortfalls. It's important to let your elected leaders know that you support increasing taxes on the wealthiest Vermonters to raise state revenue, including through H.621. Increased revenue strengthens our infrastructure, healthcare, housing, & environment.

The federal budget passed last summer gave each Vermonter in the top 1% an average tax cut of $57,000 — more than the average Vermonter makes in a year. Meanwhile, many are struggling to make ends meet while facing deep cuts to essential federal programs.

Vermont’s wealthiest need to pay their fair share.

We’ll be diving into our constitutional protections and how to exercise them effectively right here in Vermont. RSVP at balint.house.gov/forms/form/?ID=89

We hope you can join us!

Following the events in Minnesota, it’s clearer than ever that we must be equipped with the tools to defend our constitutional rights.

We are proud to partner with Representative Becca Balint and her team this Thursday for a virtual Know Your Rights training to ensure every Vermonter feels empowered and protected.

We need your voice TODAY. Please contact your senators and urge them to vote YES on this important legislation.

S.209 provides vital protections for our neighbors by ensuring that "sensitive locations"—including schools, hospitals, and community shelters—remain safe zones free from the threat of civil arrests.

S.208 demands essential police accountability by requiring all officers to clearly display their names or badge numbers and prohibiting the use of masks or disguises that hide their identity.

Two major bills (S.208 & S.209) are hitting the Senate floor this week. The fundamental safety and transparency of our communities are on the line, and we need a "YES" vote to ensure police transparency and keep our schools and hospitals safe from civil arrests.

Go to acluvt.org/news to access our toolkit for writing public comments on Medicare/Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care. Submit your comment today and share this post to your stories!

Right now, federal regulations are being proposed that would weaponize health care funding to strip away transition-related care. This isn’t just policy—it’s an attempt to take away the autonomy of transgender youth and their families. We need every Vermonter to weigh in now.

The deadline to submit your public comment and protect gender-affirming care is Tuesday, February 17th. This is it—our final window to tell the Trump administration to keep its hands off our health care.

This is a free event, but registration is required! There will also be a recording of this session for those who cannot attend live. Register at commongoodvt.org/events, and we look forward to seeing you on February 11.

Our very own Lia Ernst, Legal Director at ACLU-VT, will join Big Hartman from the Vermont Human Rights Commission and Jonathan Rose from the Office of the Attorney General for this panel discussion.

We are proud to be partnering with Common Good Vermont, the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, and the Vermont Human Rights Commission to offer this vital webinar. Together, we will break down the legalities of federal actions and what they mean for the work we do here in Vermont.

The landscape of federal policy is shifting rapidly, and we know many of our community partners are feeling the weight of that uncertainty. From Executive Orders to new funding restrictions, it can be difficult to know how to protect your mission while staying compliant.

We hope to see you in Montpelier as we work together
to build a more just Vermont for everyone. Head to acluvt.org/news to read our latest blog post for event
details and to register today!

We’re joining the Day of Empathy for criminal legal reform and the Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights for Disability Advocacy Day. We’re also hosting our Civil Rights Lobby Day to connect you with legislators on our Firewall for Freedom work.

This month, we’re hosting several days of action at the State House with partners across Vermont. Join advocates, lawmakers, and neighbors to learn about key issues and ways to advance our civil rights.

Head to acluvt.org/news to scope out the second issue, and stay tuned for more over the next several months!

This week, we’re taking you inside the courtroom for the high-stakes battle of Louisiana v. Callais. From the wild world of oral arguments to the future of voting rights and racial justice, we’re breaking down what’s really at stake.

Throughout this series, we'll be breaking down the big cases, recapping oral arguments, and demystifying Court procedures. And when decisions drop, we'll translate the legalese and explain what these outcomes really mean for Vermont.