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.

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.

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.  

Our nation is hurting.

One year ago today, the Nebraska Legislature did something momentous: give first round approval to a bill that would end the death penalty in Nebraska.

At the Unicameral, the ACLU of Nebraska has put together our strongest advocacy team to date to implement our diverse and wide ranging civil rights agenda. Our client is the Constitution and our work impacts our most cherished rights, fundamental freedoms, and the civil liberties of all Nebraskans. We are effective due to our hard work, policy and legal expertise, and the strong voices and unyielding activism of thousands of supporters.

It sounds cliché, I know. But after nearly a decade of working with youth who have experienced major trauma, I am convinced that The Beatles had it right. We are born to be social creatures, and, like food and water, we need the love and connection formed within human relationships to survive. To serve as my daily reminder of just how important love is, I had a small heart tattooed on my wrist a couple years ago.

One of public safety's most important assets are the officers who patrol our streets and put themselves in danger day in and day out. In order to protect the public--and law enforcement--the ACLU has regularly advocated for enhanced training for law enforcement.

32 officers stormed the home of an Omaha family. Their property was destroyed and they suffered physical injuries - all because of a license plate infraction. A story like this might have gone without a response, but thankfully a neighbor witnessed the incident and turned on a camera.