Racial Justice

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The authors of the Declaration of Independence outlined a bold vision for America: a nation in which all people would be free and equal. More than two hundred years later, it has yet to be achieved. Though generations of civil rights activism have led to important gains in legal, political, social, employment, educational, and other spheres, the forced removal of indigenous peoples and the enslavement of those of African descent marked the beginnings of a system of racial injustice from which our country has yet to break free. From our public schools where students of color are too often confined to racially isolated, underfunded, and inferior programs, to our criminal justice system that disproportionately targets and incarcerates people of color and criminalizes poverty, to the starkly segregated world of housing, the dream of full equality remains an elusive one.

In pursuit of a world free of discrimination, the Racial Justice Program brings impact lawsuits in state and federal courts throughout the country, taking on cases designed to have a significant and wide-reaching effect on communities of color. In coalition with ACLU affiliates in each state, other civil rights groups, and local advocates, we lobby in local and state legislatures and support grassroots movements. Through these efforts, we strive to educate and empower the public on a variety of issues, including race as it relates to criminal justice, economic justice, and inequality in education; affirmative action; and American Indian rights.

The Latest

News & Commentary
Collage of people protesting outside of the Arizona State Capitol.

2025 Legislative Recap

The Arizona legislature adjourned Sine Die on June 27, 2025. The ACLU of Arizona, our partners, and supporters responded to stop legislation that threatened civil rights and liberties. Together, we successfully made our state a better place to live for all Arizonans.
News & Commentary
George Floyd mural

ACLU Statement on Derek Chauvin Guilty Verdict

A jury has found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all charges in the murder of George Floyd.
News & Commentary
Join the Campaign

We're fighting for a smart criminal justice system in Arizona. And there's an easy way you can get involved.

A new online hub is making it easier for people to join our fight to reduce Arizona's prison population and combat racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
News & Commentary
courtroom

To help rid our criminal justice system of racial bias, the Arizona Supreme Court should use the Arizona Constitution to end discriminatory jury selection

Racial bias plagues our criminal justice system. That is why yesterday, with the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice, we filed a brief with the Arizona Supreme Court in a case about racially discriminatory jury selection, Urrea v. Arizona.
Court Case
Jul 18, 2016

Ortega Melendres v. Sheridan

This is a class action lawsuit filed in 2007 in which, following a three-week trial, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) was found to have engaged in racial profiling and unlawful traffic stops of Latinos.