News & Commentary

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.

By Brittany Oliver, ACLU of Maryland 

In honor of Black History Month, the ACLU of Maryland and other coalition partners want to ensure that the victims of unconscionable treatment at Crownsville State Hospital are not forgotten.

As many public school systems are struggling to maintain current teachers and programs, the investments needed for new curricula, and staff are being put off. They are struggling to find the billions necessary to renovate decrepit school buildings and to upgrade technology to meet state testing standards. Now is not the time to be giving away millions of taxpayer dollars in subsidies to private and religious schools.