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The Banned Books That Helped Shape Who We Are

In honor of this year’s Banned Books Week, some of our staff members are sharing their favorite banned books. From coming-of-age stories to challenging topics, or simply stories of resistance and history, these are some of our most cherished literary works that remind us why the fight against censorship is a fight worth having for our freedom to read.

By Nehemiah Bester, Stefany Thomas, Melody Vidmar, Dana Vickers Shelley, Danielle Tyler

Latest Press Release


Historic Court Victory Affirms Maryland’s Freedom to Read Act, Protecting Students’ Access to Books

First court decision under landmark state law affirms protections for students’ freedom to read following powerful community-led advocacy
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Stay informed on civil rights issues. Discover our latest actions and updates in the Press Release section.

Waving My Disability Pride Flag All Around

We must center disability accessibility and inclusion in everything we do.

By Nicole McCann

Disability Pride Month. Love yourself baby.

Let’s Reflect on LGBTQ+ Pride

Every month, not just in June.

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Lorena Diaz with her sister Sarah at the ACLU of Maryland table at Baltimore Trans Pride event in Baltimore City.

Welcome our new Board President, Corey Stottlemyer

“I always thought of the ACLU as being focused on the courtroom. And here, they were in working communities and also working to advocate on behalf of communities.”

Corey Stottlemyer is standing in front of a brick wall. He is a white man with short brown and gray hair, wearing glasses and a suite.

A Riot vs. A Rebellion

A Telling of the Emmy Nominated “Riot Report” Documentary

By Nehemiah Bester

Juneteenth collage image with protest photos and a poster for the PBS documentary, "The Riot Report." Nehemiah Bester is in the photos and took the others.

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.