ACLU of Washington

He got cuffed after playing the 'Imperial March' at National Guard. Now, he's suing. Sam O'Hara said he has 'lots of respect' for the military but criticized its presence in cities, including Washington, DC.

The First Amendment protects our right to make jokes at the federal government's expense.

Over 30,000 Charlotte students absent from school in protest of ICE operation, reports say Over 30,000 Charlotte students were absent on Monday, according to school officials.

Students know: ICE doesn't belong in our schools or our community.

Gary Tyler Spent 42 Years on Death Row. Racism Put Him There. | ACLU Tyler’s case shows how bias, fear, and discrimination drive wrongful convictions — and why confronting racial injustice in the legal system remains urgent today.

At 17, Gary Tyler was sentenced to death by an all white jury for a crime he didn’t commit. He was released from prison at age 57, after spending 42 years behind bars.

Wrongful convictions are a feature, not a bug, of the death penalty. We must end it once and for all. 

We cannot and will not accept this as the status quo.

Alongside community partners and advocates, we will continue to fight for a Washington where all trans people are free to be themselves – with joy and without apology. 

Today, we remember. And always, we will act.

#TDOR #TransDayofRemembrance

This annual day of mourning comes amidst a time of countless attempts by the Trump administration to erode the rights and safety of trans communities.

Their goal is to push trans people – our classmates, neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family – out of public life.

Transgender Day of Remembrance message: "No one should fear for their life due to identity. Today, we remember. And always, we will act"

Today, on Trans Day of Remembrance, we honor the lives of all transgender people who have been killed by anti-trans violence.

Happy Birthday Barbara May Cameron, Legendary Lesbian Native American Activist Today’s Google Doodle is dedicated to the late activist on her 69th birthday.

In 1975, she co-founded Gay American Indians, the first association for gay Native Americans in the U.S. We honor Barbara’s contributions and her vision for a more just future.

#IndigenousLegaciesMonth #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth

Sepia-toned image of Barbara Cameron standing on a balcony, with quote: “It's important for us as Indian People, as we reclaim and revitalize our languages and traditions, to include the heritage and contributions of Indian lesbians and gay men.' Text identifies her as a two-spirit activist for Indigenous and queer rights. An Indigenous Legacies Month banner and ACLU-WA logo appear below.

Barbara Cameron was a Hunkpapa Lakota artist and pillar of the San Francisco community who advocated fearlessly for lesbian and Two-Spirit people like her, people with HIV/AIDS, and women impacted by violence.

What is Habeas Corpus? Why Does It Matter? | ACLU Habeas Corpus has protected our rights since before America’s founding. Today, the Trump administration has threatened to suspend this right to carry out its unlawful immigration agenda.

Whether the government is detaining someone in an ICE detention facility or under a wartime statute like the Alien Enemies Act, habeas corpus is a constitutionally guaranteed pathway to a fair legal process.

https://www.aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/what-is-habeas-corpus-why-does-it-matter?

Definition of "habeas corpus:" A constitutional right that ensures that no person, citizen or not, can be held by the government without the right to challenge their detention in court. It protects against: Indefinite detention without charge, imprisonment without a fair hearing, detention based on unlawful or discriminatory grounds, unlawful removal or transfer, and government abuse of wartime or national security powers

Habeas corpus is a crucial line of defense against abuse of power.

The Trump administration has repeatedly threatened to suspend this fundamental right to carry out its unlawful deportation agenda.

Q&A with Outgoing Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland , the first and only Native American to hold a secretarial position in a presidential cabinet, will conclude her tenure at the end of the Biden-Harris administration on January 20, 2025. As the 54th Secretary of the Interior, Haaland has demonstrated remarkable leadership, particularly in her role in launching the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, a highlight of her work in office.

As Secretary of the Interior, Haaland worked to address our country’s dark history of Indian boarding schools and made strides to include Native tribes in conservation and public lands management.

Dark brown graphic with a picture of former Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland standing by a van with "Columbus was lost" written on it. Below the picture is a quote by Haaland: "It is the Indigenous resilience and worldview that every government, country, and community can learn from so that we manage our lands, waters, and resources not just across budget years, but across generations. ACLU WA logo and "Indigenous Legacies Month" banner at the bottom.

Deb Haaland is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna and in 2021 made history as the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary.

Farm workers drying raisins

Farm workers were hard at work the raisin drying process under the hot California sun. Thanks to their hard work we will enjoy raisins in our morning oatmeal and in our Thanksgiving stuffing. #WeFeedYou

Alice Wong on Instagram: "ID: Yellow background with black text "This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the time of her passing. Hi everyone, it ... 423 likes, 73 comments - alicatsamurai on November 14, 2025: "ID: Yellow background with black text "This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the t...

I don’t want to formulate words yet, but my friend Alice Wong, @sfdirewolf.bsky.social of the Disability Visibility Project, has passed.

Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...

Texas, California National Guard members to leave Portland and Chicago The federalized California and Texas National Guard members sent to Portland and Chicago will return to their home states, according to two U.S. officials.

Good.

National Guard troops are supposed to be deployed for true emergencies, like aiding their communities after a fire or flood, not to be used as political props. 

Federal judge orders government to stop blocking immigrant detainees from having access to lawyers In her ruling this week, Judge Frimpong said that lawyer visiting hours at B-18, which is in the basement of a federal building, have been closed down repeatedly without letting lawyers know, despite ...

BREAKING: Today, in a win for our constitutional rights, a federal judge ruled that DHS and ICE likely violated the Fifth Amendment by denying detained immigrants’ lawful access to their attorneys.

The Rights of Transgender People in Washington State: Discrimination and Harassment - ACLU of Washington The current legal system assumes individuals identify as one gender, either male or female. While this guide provides an understanding of the current legal system, the ACLU recognizes that many people do not identify as male or female. A person may identify or express as a specific gender, both gend...

No one should be denied a job, a place to live, or access to a public place or business simply because of who they are.

Know your protections in Washington state⬇️

🏳️‍⚧️🌲Trans people belong in Washington🌲🏳️‍⚧️

No matter what, we will always fight for your freedom to be yourself, to get the care you need, and to thrive here. 

Happy #TransAwarenessWeek!

The DIY and IRL energy of punk rock mutual aid Bands like Ekko Astral are bringing the urgency of online solidarity into the mosh pit.

🎤 Ekko Astral turns punk shows into mutual aid — proving the stage can build real trans solidarity. More here ▶️

🏳️‍⚧️ In honor of Trans Awareness Week and Trans Day of Remembrance, HEIGHTENED SCRUTINY will be available to stream Nov 13–20! We're grateful that viewers will be encouraged to make a donation to our Trans Youth Emergency Project. Learn more, and start streaming here ▶️ buff.ly/gBpxFpY

It's that time of year again — we're putting together guides to help you navigate tough conversations at the holiday dinner table.

What questions do you have for our organizers and experts about how to navigate talking to friends and family about civil liberties and civil rights issues?

Washington Court Rules That Data Captured on Flock Safety Cameras Are A Washington state trial court has shot down local municipalities’ effort to keep automated license plate reader (ALPR) data secret.The Skagit County Superior Court in Washington rejected the attempt

Cities in Washington tried to come up with many reasons why they shouldn’t have to release information collected by ALPR cameras. A court has shot them down and reaffirmed the public’s right to know. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...

Trans Awareness Week honors & uplifts the trans community in a time when anti-trans bigotry & political attacks are on the rise. It’s more important than ever that we listen to, learn from, & show up with compassion for trans folks. 🏳️‍⚧️

Hear more trans people #SpeakOUT: lambdalegal.org/speak-out/

Graphic titled "General guidance on ballot issues." "Most ballot problems are related to signatures (they either don’t match, or the voter forgot to sign it) Your local election office will likely reach out to you via text or email if there was an issue with your ballot. You can also check your ballot status at votewa.gov If you receive a signature challenge letter, call your local election office to get it sorted out – it should only take a few minutes to make sure your vote can still count"

Graphic titled "King County Guidance." Text reads "King County voters can track their ballot on the King County “my voter information” website. If the ballot wasn't counted, a voter can complete and return the Signature Resolution Form online. For more information, visit the King Couty Elections FAQ website on signature challenges, or contact the King County Elections office directly. Email is elections@kingcounty.gov. Phone is 206-296-VOTE (8683)."

Forest green graphic that reads "How to ensure your voice is heard and your ballot is counted this election" with ACLU WA logo and peace sign hands.

You submitted your ballot, but has it been counted? To know for sure, check your ballot status at votewa.gov.

Don’t delay! The deadline to have your ballot count is 4:30pm on November 24. 

Check out the second post in this thread for guidance on what to do if your ballot wasn't accepted.

Join us 11/18 at 1 p.m. ET for our 3rd annual webinar on the state of trans rights. 🏳️‍⚧️

We continue to face a wave of coordinated attacks from both state & federal levels. Tune in as we break down these fast-moving developments & what they mean for trans people.

RSVP now: tinyurl.com/45tmvz56

Screenshot of website featuring “Protecting LGBTQ+ Families and Identities” guide.

Screenshot of website featuring "Beyond the Basics: Deeper Protections for LGBTQ+ Families” guide.

UPDATED RESOURCE: Practical Guidance for Same-Sex Couples and Parents 📖 

As we face a reality where some lawmakers continue to use LGBTQ+ families as political targets, we've put together guides to support you with safeguarding your family relationships.

Read the guides: tinyurl.com/44a3hk2f 

Blue graphic with white text that reads, "Military members swore an oath to defend the Constitution, not bend to the will of the president."

Our military relies on public trust that service members will uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, regardless of personal loyalties or political opinions. President Trump's deployment of troops to police civilians in D.C. and other major U.S. cities undermines that trust.

We'll be on Capitol Hill next week with veterans from across the country to meet with members of Congress and make it clear:

Our elected officials have the power and the responsibility to stop President Trump's misuse of the military.

White text: "'When I joined the military, I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution. As the Commander in Chief, President Trump also took an oath to protect members of the armed forces from being used as political pawns - by himself or any other politician.' Jess Apgar. ACLU staff and former Captain, U.S. Army." Pink ACLU logo. Photo of Jess Apgar, a white woman with red hair in a U.S. Army uniform. Dark blue background.

Reminder for this Veterans Day: Service members didn’t sign up to police their communities.