Civil Rights

ACLU of Maryland's civil rights work focuses on disability rights, gender and sexuality rights, immigrants' rights, LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, reproductive freedom, and youth rights.

woman holding a Black Lives Matter Sign

For nearly 100 years, the ACLU of Maryland has been fighting to protect everyone's civil rights, particularly the rights of people of color and other groups that have been historically discriminated against. Civil rights, which are an essential part of a democracy, protect each person’s right to live and work without discrimination, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ability, national origin, and many other characteristics. We strive to create a country where everyone’s civil rights are fully realized: where each person is treated as a full human being and has to the right to fairly pursue the American Dream.

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The Latest

News & Commentary
The Baltimore County Council listens to testimony during public hearings Tuesday, Aug. 26.

Baltimore County redistricting plan doesn’t reflect diversity

The Baltimore County Council has brazenly moved to deepen inequity and reinforce white political dominance in a county where nearly half the population is Black or of color.
News & Commentary
The U.S. District Courthouse in Baltimore. (File photo by Danielle E. Gaines/Maryland Matters)

Legal assault on Maryland’s federal judges threatens the rule of law nationwide

Unprecedented. Authoritarian. An open assault to the rule of law.
Press Release
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ACLU of Maryland and Advocates Urge Court to Block Trump Administration’s Unconstitutional Attack on Equity and Free Expression

Maryland Federal Court Already Blocked Executive Orders for Violating the First Amendment
Press Release
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ACLU of Maryland’s Statement on Baltimore County Council Bill 55-25 and Redistricting Violations

Rather than ensuring fair and equal representation, Bill 55-25 egregiously packs Black voters into just two districts while preserving seven solidly white-majority districts—a textbook example of racial gerrymandering designed to dilute Black political power.
Court Case
Jun 19, 2018

Stone v. Trump

Court Case
Mar 16, 2016

Savage v. Pocomoke City