News & Commentary

Jun 13, 2023

5 Years of Making “Good Trouble”

Dana Vickers Shelley celebrates and reflects on her fifth anniversary as Executive Director of the ACLU of Maryland.

By Dana Vickers Shelley

Dana Vickers Shelley is a Black woman with warm light brown skin, blond short hair, and is smiling at the camera. She is standing in front of a brick wall.
May 31, 2023

Charges alleging abuse of power show need to end 287(g) immigration program

When the U.S. Department of Justice announced the indictment of Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins recently, it didn’t come as a surprise to see that Jenkins was charged with crimes related to abuse of power.

By Nick Taichi Steiner

People hands shown holding a protest sign that says, "No Racismo, no 287g."
May 30, 2023

Explore the Richness of Korean Culture through my Favorite Recipes

My family history is deeply intertwined with the economic, political, and historical dynamics of both Korea and Hawaii in the early 1900s.

By Olivia Spaccasi

Olivia Spaccasi is standing with three family members. They are outside in Hawaii with trees, a house, and a blue sky behind them.
May 23, 2023

12 AAPI Advocates and Organizations You Need to Know

Highlighting Asian American and Pacific Islander activists and organizations, from Maryland and nationwide, from history to current heroes.

By Neydin Milián

Collage of images of organizations and people who are featured in the "12 AAPI Advocates and Organizations You Need to Know" shoutout blog.
May 17, 2023

Fearless Black Residents on the Brink of History as They Challenge an All-White Town’s Racist Election System

Federal District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher ordered the Federalsburg town government to produce a new plan by May 23.

By Neydin Milián

Group of plaintiffs and advocates from Federalsburg, Maryland, and lawyers from the ACLU of Maryland stand outside of a court buidling. A reporter is holding a microphone up to plaintiff Roberta Butler.
Apr 25, 2023

Cedarville Band of the Piscataway Indians seeks eviction reprieve from Charles County land

For the past two weeks, Proctor and the Cedarville Band of the Piscataway Indians have been operating under the assumption they will be forced to leave their ancestral winter hunting grounds.

Display of history, photos, and pieces of pottery from a class the Cedarville Band of the Pisctaway Indians offered at their cultural center.
Mar 15, 2023

Commentary: The smell of marijuana and the stain of racism

As of July 1, 2023, marijuana will be legal in Maryland. There is no reason why the odor of a legal substance should continue to be used as a tool by law enforcement to stop and search people, especially when police have disproportionately stopped and searched Black and Brown people.

By Yanet Amanuel, Dana Vickers Shelley

Advocates are pressing for a bill that would remove marijuana odor as the basis for reasonable suspicion for a police investigation. Stock.adobe.com photo by Alixandria Chen.
Mar 07, 2023

Marylanders Took Action on Lobby Day 2023

ACLU staff and their family members, activists, students, community leaders, and concerned residents from all corners of Maryland came together to meet with their state legislators in Annapolis and advocate for a better Maryland for each other.

By Neydin Milián

Group photo of ACLU of Maryland staff and advocates from across the state at the Lobby Day event on February 20, 2023.
Feb 13, 2023

Opinion: To protect Black lives, Maryland’s new leaders must act swiftly to expose and prevent police-involved deaths

The brutal killing of Tyre Nichols is yet another example of police violence against Black people, and again raises the familiar question: What will it take to end it? In Maryland, let’s start with the truth.

By Sonia Kumar

Person holds a rally sign that says, "Examine the Medical Examiner."