News & Commentary

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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

Oct 23, 2026

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.

Jan 03, 2023

Opinion: Baltimore County Police subvert Anton’s Law, accountability objectives

New department policy runs counter to law to hold police accountable for use of lethal force

By Lorena Magdalena Diaz

A new Baltimore County Police policy runs counter to state accountability standards for police use of lethal force, members of a coalition advocating for police transparency and accountability say. (Laila Milevski/The Baltimore Banner.
Dec 22, 2022

Time to Put an End to the Racist War on Marijuana

Marylanders and people across the nation have overwhelmingly voiced that there needs to be an end to the war on marijuana.

Yellow background with a Black or Brown person's hand holding a green marijuana leaf.
Dec 14, 2022

Opinion: Running from the police is not a crime

If a Black man runs from the police when they pull into his neighborhood, is that evidence of guilt or a rational act of self-preservation?

By Deborah Jeon

Black person's raised fist at a protest in Maryland.
Dec 14, 2022

Your Guide to the 2023 Maryland General Assembly Session

Make a difference to our laws

By Yanet Amanuel

Make a difference to Maryland laws! Your Guide to the 2023 Maryland General Assembly. Get the info! A picture of the Maryland State House is in the background with a light green filter on it.
Dec 09, 2022

Opinion – Invest in children, don’t criminalize them

Here at the ACLU of Maryland, we wholly embrace and support efforts to help kids be safe, but curfews have repeatedly been shown to be ineffective in making kids safer or less likely to get in trouble.

By Jared Schablein

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Nov 23, 2022

How We Fundraise to Further Racial Justice

Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF) is a movement grounded in equity and brings principles of racial, social, and economic justice into our development plan. CCF calls for a shift in our mindset.

By Jenny Trust,

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Nov 09, 2022

The Road to Marijuana Legalization: Timeline So Far

What do you need to know now that it seems clear legal recreational marijuana is coming to Maryland?

By Yanet Amanuel

Yellow background with a Black or Brown person's hand holding a green marijuana leaf.
Nov 02, 2022

Know the Facts about the Racist, Anti-Immigrant 287(g) Program

Immigrants’ rights are more important now than ever. And one pressing issue on the minds of many in Maryland is that the 287(g) program continues to plague us.

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Several ICE officers are at a person's home.
Oct 26, 2022

Children Won’t Just Get Candy While Trick Or Treatin’, They’ll Get New Legal Protections This Month Too

It’s that time again. Spooky season. But there are new laws taking effect this month that are definitely NOT spooky. And, they’re great news for children in Maryland too!

By

Children won't just get candy while trick or treatin'... Dark yellow background with a neon jack-o-lantern and multi-color arrows.