Press Releases

ACLU Files Suit to Protect Access to Medical Marijuana in Arizona

PHOENIX – The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Monday in the Superior Court of Arizona for Maricopa County to protect the parents of five-year-old Zander Welton from criminal prosecution for successfully treating their son’s debilitating seizures with a medical marijuana extract.

Federal Court Deals New Blow to Arizona’s Anti-Immigrant SB 1070

Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion upholding a preliminary injunction against the "harboring" provision of Arizona's SB 1070 law. The harboring provision was blocked by the district court in September of 2012, and the state of Arizona appealed to the Ninth Circuit.
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights

Arizona's Anti-Begging Law Declared Unconstitutional

FLAGSTAFF – An Arizona law that made it a crime to panhandle peacefully in public places was declared unconstitutional today, as was Flagstaff’s practice of arresting, jailing and prosecuting people who asked passersby for money or food.
Issue Areas: Free Speech

Court Places Limits on Sheriff Arpaio to Prevent Future Racial Profiling of Latinos

A federal judge today set down far-reaching requirements to prevent continued racial profiling by Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow’s order follows his ruling in May that Arpaio’s office relied on racial profiling and illegal detentions.

Arizona Governor Extends Discriminatory Driver’s License Ban Against DREAMers to Other Immigrants, Including Certain Domestic Violence Survivors

PHOENIX – A coalition of immigrant and civil rights organizations today criticized a new Arizona Motor Vehicle Division policy ending the practice of issuing drivers’ licenses to certain immigrants who receive federal authorization to live and work in the United States.
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights

Campaign Launch to Move Marriage Forward in Arizona

Today, in an effort to remove discrimination from Arizona’s Constitution and win the freedom to marry for all couples in the state, Equality Arizona, the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, the Human Rights Campaign and Freedom to Marry launched a campaign called Why Marriage Matters Arizona.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ Rights

Arizona Congressman From U.S.-Mexico Border District To Hear From Regional Stakeholders

Representative Raul M. Grijalva of Arizona will hold an ad hoc hearing in the border community of Nogales, Ariz., tomorrow.
Issue Areas: Border Rights

ACLU Statement on 50th Anniversary of March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom

American Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Anthony D. Romero today released the following statement regarding tomorrow's 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.
Issue Areas: Racial Justice

ACLU of Arizona Strongly Condemns Maricopa County Attorney’s Decision to Retry Debra Milke

PHOENIX – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Arizona strongly condemns the decision announced yesterday by Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery to re-try Debra Milke.
Issue Areas: Prisoners' Rights