12 Latinx/e Changemakers from Maryland. Background is purple. The image has a silhouette of Maryland and has colorful flowers in the left bottom and upper right corners.

12 Latinx/e Changemakers from Maryland

This Latinx/e Heritage Month Hear About these Past and Present Changemakers

By Neydin Milián

Latest Event


Life After a Second Chance Series Premiere (February 8, 2025)

We believe in restorative justice. That’s why our staff and partners have been working diligently to pass the Second Look Act. And we made a short film to explain why.

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Stay informed on civil rights issues. Discover our latest actions and updates in the Press Release section.

In Harmony: Our Soundtrack of Queer Resistance

This Pride Month, ACLU-MD staff members put together an eclectic list of songs by LGBTQ+ artists, reaching across various genres and cultures.

By Alicia Smith

Pride is community.

Commentary: Baltimore County’s Black residents want council that represents them

Effort to expand County Council aims for more equitable representation.

By Veronica Dunlap

Veronica Dunlap testifies at a Baltimore County hearing on Council expansion.

The Land of Smiles, the Land of the Free

Owning Your Own Destiny: A Lesson from Thailand's Effort to Resist Colonization

By Frank Patinella

Frank Patinella's family in a group photo in Thailand.

Dance this Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander’s Heritage Month to Beautiful Rhythms

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) staff members from the ACLU of Maryland came together to build a playlist of songs that they cherish and that hold a piece of their culture within them.

By Frank Patinella, Olivia Spaccasi, Nick Taichi Steiner

Celebrating Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month spotify playlist.

Music is a Wonderland Rollercoaster

Don't snooze on this playlist to play at all the parties during AMEMSA Heritage Month.

Music is a wonderland rollercoaster. Celebrating Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, South Asian Heritage Month.

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.

By Yanet Amanuel

A group of Maryland advocates and Senator Carter are in Laywer's Mall holding signs in support of the Maryland Second Look Act.d

Commentary: Once part of the problem, we are now part of the solution

Since my release, I have now become part of the solution to crime and violence in the same community where I was once part of the problem.

Anthony Muhammad, Yanet Amanuel, and Sonia Kumar stand together in the Maryland chamber houses on the day of a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee for the Maryland Second Look Act.

A Lobby Day to Remember

We held a children’s rights focused Day of Action in Annapolis to pass some good bills.

By Neydin Milián

Day of Action: Justice for Children & Incarcerated Marylanders. Monday, February 19, 2024. Group photo of advocates and directly impacted Marylanders in Annapolis on Lobby Night for 2024 Maryland Legislative session.

Sister, We’re Two of a Kind: Black Womanhood Reflected From Screen to Reality

Since its inception as a novel in 1982 (and shortly followed by the original film adaptation in 1985), The Color Purple has been a transparent and moving testament to the perseverance of Black womanhood and sisterhood, themes that have been pivotal in my own experience.

By Alicia Smith

Antoinette and Alicia celebrating with family on Christmas 2023. They are wearing matching red holiday outfits.They were celebrating with family on Christmas 2023.