News & Commentary

As states across the nation consider how to respond to cases of Ebola being diagnosed in the United States, the ACLU is encouraged that Maryland thus far has taken a sensible and fact-based approach. Government responses to Ebola - or any potential health threat - must be guided by sound medical science, not by fear and political posturing. But it is worth remembering that Maryland's measured response, in sharp contrast to actions taken by the governors in New York and New Jersey, is not just good policy. It is legally required thanks to changes made to state emergency powers in 2002, which the ACLU of Maryland was instrumental in shaping.

Photo from National Law Journal

Read the full opinion editorial on Rooflines. 

Unfortunately, money, not political support, can determine who runs for office.  Oftentimes potential candidates are unable to run because they cannot collect the requisite financial support to run a viable campaign.  This not only deprives the public of the full range of public debate, it also prevents members of historically marginalized communities from participating in the political process. 

Maryland Congressman Andy Harris stepped outside of his jurisdiction and ignored the opinion of Washington, D.C. residents when he tried used his power to undermine D.C.'s new marijuana decriminalization law. And he did so even though the public is clearly in favor of reform and despite the fact that decriminalization would help address the large racial disparities in arrests for marijuana possession.

In a statewide effort to educate voters about their rights and solve problems at the polls, the ACLU of Maryland has launched our 2014 Election Protection Campaign. As the group has done for the last five statewide and presidential elections, the ACLU will hold a hotline (1-888-496-ACLU) for Maryland voters for the Primary (June 24) and General Election Day (November 4). In addition, the ACLU is offering Maryland Voter Empowerment Cards in English and Spanish.

My organization, the Maryland ACLU, recently helped launch a new website, www.housingmobility.org. Who needs another housing website? In fact, yes, there is a need.

There are many milestones on the road to justice. Here in Maryland, one such signpost on the journey to realizing marriage equality was the groundbreaking 2006 ruling by Baltimore Circuit Judge M. Brooke Murdock, who has now retired from the bench. Judge Murdock said that it was a violation of the state constitution to deny same-sex couples the right to marry. Now, similar rulings are close to commonplace - it seems as if new ones are issued every few months in "Red," "Purple," and "Blue" states across the country. But in 2006, her decision was visionary, and courageous.