Yanet-Amanuel-The-Afro-Second-Look

Yanet Amanuel

Pronouns: (she/her/hers)

Public Policy Director

Public Policy

Bio

Yanet Amanuel is the Director of Public Policy at the ACLU of Maryland. Yanet began her advocacy journey as a student at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned a B.A. in Sociology. She has since held several impactful roles, including serving as Chief of Staff for a Prince George’s County Delegate, Region 7 Adult Representative on the NAACP National Youth Works Committee, Young Adult Chair of the Prince George’s County NAACP, and Policy Advocate at the Job Opportunities Task Force. Most recently, Yanet co-led the Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability, driving the ACLU’s legislative efforts to repeal the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights and reform the Maryland Public Information Act to ensure transparency in police misconduct cases. She has also led successful legislative advocacy campaigns that resulted in the passage of the Child Interrogation Protection Act, the prohibition of warrantless police searches based on the odor of marijuana, and the removal of the Governor from the parole process for individuals serving life sentences.

Featured Work

News & Commentary
Yanet-Amanuel-The-Afro-Second-Look
  • Education|
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Maryland has the worst racial disparities in incarceration — The Second Look Act can help fix it

The Afro News published this OpEd on March 12, 2025.
News & Commentary
A group of Maryland advocates and Senator Carter are in Laywer's Mall holding signs in support of the Maryland Second Look Act.d
  • Legal Justice System|
  • +2 Issues

Let’s Believe in the Power of People to Change

Thankfully, legislators are listening to this positive movement, led by mostly Black families, people who’ve come home, and their loved ones. Let’s join them to support the Maryland Second Look Act and the power of people to change.

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Defend the Childhood Interrogation Protection and Juvenile Justice Reform Acts.
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