National ACLU Post-Election Day Statement
In response to Donald Trump’s election as president of the United States, ACLU executive director Anthony D. Romero had the following statement:
It’s True: Utah Locks Up Kids For Missing School.
Each year, Utah’s Juvenile Justice system takes hundreds of kids out of their homes for “crimes” like truancy, alcohol possession/consumption, and low-level retail theft.
Get To Know Our New Executive Director Brittney Nystrom
This article was first published in the Liberty Reporter: 2016 Fall Newsletter >> On August 8, the ACLU of Utah welcomed Brittney Nystrom as its new Executive Director. We’ve enjoyed getting to know Brittney, and wanted our Members and supporters to do the same. We asked Brittney some questions about herself, her new position and some general nonsense – just for fun! Can you share a little bit about your background? I was born and raised in South Ogden and graduated from Bonneville High School. I moved out of state to attend the University of Notre Dame and then Northwestern University School of Law. Following law school, I moved to D.C. and built a career working to advance immigrant and refugee rights for more than a decade. Most recently I served as the Director for Advocacy for Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service where I engaged Congress and the White House to implement more welcoming and just laws and policies for newcomers. Why were you drawn to this positon? I was attracted to the real potential for progress on civil and human rights here in Utah. The opportunities to achieve meaningful reform are far more plentiful here than in our nation’s capital. This…
The Board’s Corner: Our Executive Director Transition Update
This article was first published in the Liberty Reporter: 2016 Fall Newsletter >>
It's (past) time to release the body camera footage.
“If the footage is good for the police, release it fast. If the footage is bad for the police, release it faster.”
Every 25 Seconds?!
“Every 25 seconds someone is funneled into the criminal justice system, accused of nothing more than possessing drugs for personal use.”
YES ON SIX Update: Commission finally has an executive director.
First, the good news: Utah has hired (finally) the first ever executive director of the new Indigent (Public) Defense Commission.
Remember That Prison Utah is Building?
Yes, there IS going to be a new prison in Utah. That's (surprisingly) not necessarily bad news.
TAKE ACTION: Protect Utahns' private property
If we want to improve community trust in our police officers, we must reform how civil asset forfeiture is practiced in Utah.
Back to School Primer: Civil Asset Forfeiture
“Civil asset forfeiture." Trust me, the name makes the practice sound more boring - and less controversial - than it actually is!
A Constitution In Every Pocket
ACLU's free pocket Constitutions are back - get yours now and make sure you know your rights!
Guiding Principles for Juvenile Justice Reform
The ACLU of Utah and several community-based partner organizations have presented this document to Utah's Juvenile Justice Working Group, to help frame a recently-launched effort to improve Utah's juvenile justice system.
Protect Our Virtual Medicine Cabinets!
At the July 13 Legislative Interim Session, legislators reviewed an audit of Utah's Controlled Susbtance Database (CSD), and the impact of legislation passed in 2015 (with significant support from the ACLU of Utah) on use of that database by law enforcement.
In Which a Utah Native Discovers the Irony of Calling Herself a "Utah Native"
I have to admit, my primary observation during much of my recent work trip to San Juan County was this: San Juan County, the sprawling and sparsely-populated rural county that takes up most of the Southeastern corner of our state, is stunningly beautiful.
Welcome (Home) to Brittney Nystrom, our new Executive Director
We are very excited to announce that the ACLU of Utah has selected Brittney Nystrom of Washington, D.C., as the organization's new executive director.
Supreme Court Issues a Victory For Women in Texas Abortion Case
BREAKING NEWS: Supreme Court strikes down both provisions of HB2, the Texas law aimed at shutting down women's access to safe and legal abortion services. Great news for reproductive rights and health care access for women!
UPDATE: ACLU's GRAMA request for body camera footage related to Abdi Mohamed shooting
The ACLU of Utah received an answer this week from the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office in response to our Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) request for the body camera footage of, and other information related to, the shooting of 18-year-old Abdi Mohamed on February 28, 2016.
YES ON SIX Update: New Commission is Prosecutor Free!
We'll call it a victory: we've got a commission that approaches independence.
ACLU Statement on Mass Shooting at Gay Nightclub in Orlando
We stand in solidarity with the LGBT community, which appears to have been the target of this attack.
