News & Commentary

I was thirteen years old when I experienced my first out of home placement which was at an inpatient psychiatric facility. I was thirteen years of age the first time I was put into solitary confinement. The first time I was put in this cold, empty room was for eight hours.

During the past two weeks, those standing in solidarity immigrants and refugees around the state have joined with the ACLU to take action. Here's a snapshot of the work made possible through grassroots advocates, partner organizations and the ACLU.

In the 2016 Legislative session the ACLU of Nebraska, Media of Nebraska, and law enforcement leaders, came together to support LB 1000 which was adopted on an overwhelming vote of 45-0.  LB 1000 requires the Nebraska Crime Commission to develop uniform, minimum standards about the use of body-worn cameras as well as standard rules for retaining the recordings.

The ACLU of Nebraska has a long history of defending people’s First Amendment rights to not only practice their religion, but publicly display and express their religious ideas.

Going to the DMV to receive or renew your drivers’ license is always a hassle. However, those who are racial minorities or transgender face the added trouble of prejudice. Many times, the ACLU has stepped in to defend those in Nebraska and other states who have been put in such a position.

Janet Vashon is a 46-year-old woman who was recently experiencing homelessness. These painful life circumstances prompted her to seek charity through panhandling to help her cover her most basic needs. While peacefully asking for help in Lincoln she was arrested, handcuffed, and jailed for this activity by Lincoln Police. Her arrest started her journey into a criminal justice system that trapped her in a maze of no escape.  

In 2010, the ACLU of Nebraska threatened to sue Schuyler Community Schools for putting out a registration form that said students and their families would face criminal prosecution and expulsion if they lied about being here legally.

For years, women’s reproductive rights have been a hot-button issue in our political system. In the aughts, we have seen the government go both forward and back in instituting laws that allow women the freedom of deciding what is best for their own bodies. The ACLU has always worked to ensure that this freedom remains constant within the scope of our Constitution.

On this day two years ago, the ACLU of Nebraska and law firm Koenig Dunne filed a historic federal lawsuit on behalf of seven same-sex couples seeking recognition of their out-of-state marriages or seeking the freedom to marry in Nebraska.