Although the ACLU is most often associated with litigation, we also work outside the courtroom to ensure that decision-makers always keep the Constitution in mind when drafting laws. The ACLU of Connecticut is a trusted voice, and policymakers in Connecticut know that we are committed to principles, not agendas. By lifting up the voices of everyday Connecticut residents and engaging in strategic advocacy efforts at the local, state, and national levels, we provide the tools our supporters need to call on lawmakers to protect the civil liberties of all Americans.
It is critical, perhaps now more than ever, that all citizens may vote without intimidation, coercion, or unnecessary barriers. That's why the ACLU of CT Rise PAC is committed to empowering Connecticut voters, and ensuring we know how, when, and where to vote.
For years, CT State Police have been over-reporting how often they stop white drivers by making up fake tickets and under-reporting how often they stop Black, Latinx, and other drivers of color by not reporting actual tickets, resulting in at least 25,966 false and inaccurate traffic stop records.
Solitary confinement costs too much, does nothing to rehabilitate prisoners, and can exacerbate or even cause mental illness. In 2017, the ACLU of Connecticut fought to fix solitary confinement in our state.
Police agencies in Connecticut routinely make it difficult for members of the public to file complaints of police misconduct, according to this 2017 report by the ACLU of Connecticut, a follow-up to our 2012 report on the same topic.
Civil asset forfeiture allows the government to take and sell someone’s property without ever charging them with a crime. Taking innocent people’s assets is unacceptable and unconstitutional, but it is happening in Connecticut.
Tasers are powerful electric shock weapons, and they can be lethal. For years, the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut (ACLU-CT) has called for Connecticut to ensure that police only use Tasers fairly, justly, and wisely.