ACLU of Washington

Image of disability rights activist and writer Alice Wong in a wheelchair with ventilator tubing. Next to her image is magenta text inside a blue shape. Text reads" Advocacy is not just a task for charismatic individuals or high-profile community organizers. Advocacy is for all of us; advocacy is a way of life. It is a natural response to the injustices and inequality in the world. — Alice Wong, disability rights activist, writer"

Through her founding of the Disability Visibility Project, Alice Wong amplified the lived experiences and stories of people with disabilities.

In the wake of her passing last year, her advocacy continues to shape national conversations around accessibility and the rights of disabled people.

Ruby's strength as a young girl echoes in today’s fight for equity in our education.

This includes students’ right to learn about American history in full, without whitewashing.

Civil rights activist Ruby Bridges smiling at a podium beside a quote. The quote reads "Don't Follow the path. Go where there is no path and begin the trail. When you start a new trail equipped with courage, strength, and conviction, the only thing that can stop you is you!”

In 1960, 6-year-old Ruby Bridges was the first Black child to attend a formerly whites-only school in Louisiana, marking a major moment in the fight to desegregate schools. She remains a committed advocate for civil rights to this day.

How to commemorate Billy Frank Jr. Day - Northwest Treaty Tribes Every year, the treaty tribes in Western Washington observe Billy Frank Jr.’s birthday on March 9. The fishing rights warrior…

➡ Learn more about Billy Frank Jr.’s life and activism, and how to celebrate him:

At a time of unprecedented challenges to our rights and resources, it's important to look back and learn from activists like Billy Frank Jr. on how we can show up to defend our hard-won rights, and the vital importance of caring for both the land and each other.

Today, we honor the life and legacy of Billy Frank Jr., who was a powerful advocate for environmental and Indigenous justice in Washington state.

Gender-affirming care, like all other types of medical care, is a matter between you and your doctor.

ACLU-WA is fiercely committed to defending access to this care and protecting patients and providers from harmful government overreach.

NEW: Last week, we were in court to defend QueerDoc, a Washington-based medical clinic that provides gender-affirming healthcare to adult & adolescent patients.

QueerDoc is one of 20 gender-affirming care providers the Trump administration targeted to restrict trans individuals’ right to care.

Admiring Our Heroes for International Women’s Day: Five Women In Tech In honor of International Women’s Day, we asked five women at EFF about women in digital rights, freedom of expression, technology, and tech activism who have inspired us. Anna Politkovskaya Jillian

This International Women’s Day, five women at EFF talk about the women who have inspired them. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...

No Kings As the president escalates his authoritarian power grab, the NO KINGS non-violent movement continues to rise stronger. We are united once again to remind the world: America has No Kings and the power belongs to the people.

Join us in protest on March 28. Find a No Kings rally near you at the link below! 

When using that link, Indivisible will know you came from us; their privacy policy applies.

Signs reading 'FREE SPEECH IS NON-NEGOTIABLE' and 'DISSENT IS PATRIOTIC' (ACLU) held outdoors against trees and sky.

📢When the Trump administration tries to silence dissent, we just get louder.

We’re committed to a future where all Washingtonians – from Yakima to Vancouver – are treated with dignity, fairness, and humanity.

We’ll keep working alongside organizers and community leaders to secure fair access to housing and economic stability for everyone in Washington.

Sadly, the Shelter Not Penalties Act did not pass this legislative session. But our efforts don’t stop here.

Change takes all of us working from multiple angles until we secure the vision we’re fighting for. It is often not achieved through legislation alone, or even in a single year.

The past few months, we have been advocating in Olympia for the Shelter Not Penalties Act (HB 2489), a bill that would establish a clear, consistent statewide standard: local governments cannot criminalize people experiencing homelessness unless adequate shelter actually exists.

Green background with white text that reads "Everyone deserves a safe place to sleep." Below is an illustration of hands forming a house. Black text at the bottom of the graphic reads, "We believe in shelter, not penalties - and we'll keep fighting for that future." ACLU-WA logo in the bottom center.

To address WA's housing crisis, we need systemic solutions. Solutions built on a foundation of access to housing and support - not punishment.

Protect privacy: Tell the House to strengthen and pass The Driver Privacy Act Please take action!

📢Tell Olympia to protect our privacy on the road and pass the strongest version possible of the Driver Privacy Act!

Police Officer Accused of Tracking Partner Using License Plate Reader The Milwaukee officer used the technology to run searches on his partner’s plate 124 times, officials said, and he also tracked the person’s ex.

This is a reminder of how easily surveillance technology can be turned against us when there are no guardrails. 

That’s why we’re fighting for the strongest possible regulations on license plate readers in WA.

Advocate Groups Celebrate Victory on Behalf of People Experiencing Homelessness The U.S. Supreme Court decided not to hear the state’s appeal of a lawsuit challenging Alabama’s laws criminalizing soliciting charity.

GOOD NEWS: SCOTUS upholds ruling that protects rights of people experiencing homelessness to ask for help to meet their basic needs. This reinforces a basic understanding that asking for assistance is constitutionally protected speech.

Read the SPLC statement: buff.ly/c5YKcRc

ACLU-WA statement on WA Supreme Court ruling for Stevenson Councilmember Lucy Lauser - ACLU of Washington In its ruling, the Court determined Lauser did not violate the law or her oath of office.

Read more about the ruling here:

Maroon and pink background with a collaged grouping of a megaphone and a hand holding a sign with a talking mouth, meant to represent free speech. Texts says, "Update: Washington Supreme Court invalidates recall petition against a Stevenson councilmember Lucy Lauser."

In its ruling, the Court determined Lauser did not violate the law or her oath of office. The Washington Supreme Court held that nudity alone does not amount to the crime of “indecent exposure” and Lauser’s protest was constitutionally protected political expression. For a full summary of the case and ruling, read more at: https://www.aclu-wa.org/press-releases/aclu-wa-statement-on-wa-supreme-court-ruling-for-stevenson-councilmember-lucy-lauser/

"I’m very happy that the WA Supreme Court affirmed my constitutional rights to free speech & expression and dismissed this recall against me. As I've said from the beginning, my body is not obscene, and like any other woman, I have a right to be treated equally to a man. I will not allow the recall petition or the attention around it to shift focus away from the original purpose of my protest: to call out the ongoing abuse & discrimination against transgender people in this country." Lucy Lauser

This is a win for the right of free speech and expression. No one should be targeted or removed from public office for lawfully exercising their first amendment rights.

20 books to read by transgender women.

List of memoirs and biographies including "The Risk It Takes to Bloom" by Raquel Willis, "Man Enough to Be a Woman" by Jayne County, "Tomorrow Will Be Different" by Sarah McBride, and "Marsha" by Tourmaline.

List of fiction books including "Detransition, Baby" by Torrey Peters, "The Sapling Cage" by Margaret Killjoy, "Woodworking by Emily St. James, and "Bad Girls" by Camila Sosa Villada.

List of nonfiction books including "Transgender History" by Susan Stryker, "Tar Hollow Trans: Essays" by Stacy Jane Grover, "Whipping Girl" by Julia Serano, and "Gender Outlaws" by Kate Bornstein.

📚 It’s #NationalReadAcrossAmericaDay, & there’s no better time to uplift the voices of trans women!

At a time when we’re fighting against an onslaught of attacks on trans people's rights, it’s more important than ever to support this community.

Repost to show your support for trans women! 🏳️‍⚧️

Trans people won't be erased, no matter how hard politicians try.

Only Congress has the constitutional power to authorize war.

Yet, the Trump administration is once again taking unilateral and reckless military action against Iran, putting both servicemembers and civilians in danger. This is unconstitutional.

Lala Zanell, activist and ACLU campaign manager speaks at a podium during a public rally, bundled in a lavender scarf and beanie. Her quote reads: “We cannot advocate for Black lives if we are not advocating for Black trans lives.” ACLU and “Black Futures Month” logos appear on the bottom corners of the image.

LaLa Zanell is a dedicated force in the fight for trans liberation. Before working at the ACLU, she fought for police reform, advocated for LGBTQIA2S+ New Yorkers who've experienced violence and defended transgender rights before the White House and Congress. 

#BlackFuturesMonth

Ryan Coogler, wearing a dark sweater and patterned cap, speaks into a microphone during a panel talk. His quote reads: “With me, making a film is always about humanity.” Text identifies him as the writer and director of Black Panther and Sinners. The image includes ACLU and “Black Futures Month” branding.

Ryan Coogler is a highly acclaimed director, writer, and genre-defying filmmaker known for blockbuster films that explore Black identity and experiences. 

Sinners, his latest film, received a record-breaking 16 Oscar nominations, more than any other film in Academy Award history.
#BlackFuturesMonth

Black Futures Month: Remembering the Past, Acting Now - ACLU of Washington Our dreams of Black liberation require remembering the past and acting now: a letter from ACLU-WA Executive Director michele storms.

🔴Let's go deeper: Read a reflection from ACLU-WA Executive Director michele storms on Black Futures Month in this moment and learn about ways to build your knowledge and take action. 

“REFUSE TO RELENT” header. Message below reads "Right now, democracy is at risk for all of us, with the heaviest burdens on Black people, immigrants, Indigenous communities, communities of color, LGBTQIA2S+ and other historically marginalized communities. Protecting our democracy requires everyone to show up for justice however they can."

“BUILD YOUR KNOWLEDGE” header. Message below reads: "For more about current issues, events and the work being done to build Black Futures in communities around our state, read and engage with local media for and produced by people of color and historically marginalized communities, including The Black Lens, True Citizen, the Emerald, The Seattle Medium and the Nerd Farmer Podcast."

“TAKE ACTION” header. Message below reads "It is critical for people to show up by voting, writing lawmakers, observing the actions of government, engaging with their local community, donating (especially to grassroots groups), providing mutual aid, attending peaceful protests, learning their rights and sharing that information with neighbors, friends and family."

This Black Futures Month and beyond, we are committed to honoring the past by relentlessly working towards a future where – despite barriers, opposition and attempts to erase history – Black people are free, and therefore everyone is free.

Quote from michele storms' letter: “As we continue to hold a dream for Black futures, and therefore all our futures, we must build our knowledge, take action, and refuse to relent until all are free.”

Many of us are rightfully looking to the Jim Crow and Civil Rights Era to understand the abuses we are seeing now.

Black movement leaders and organizers risked jail time, losing their jobs, and losing their lives to win freedoms that we all now cherish.

Protect privacy: Tell lawmakers to strengthen and pass The Driver Privacy Act Please take action!

📢Tell the House: fix SB 6002 so that it truly protects the privacy of people in our state.  

The Driver Privacy Act is a bill that could help regulate local use of license plate readers. But the current version of the bill does not go far enough to protect our privacy.

That’s why we’re calling on our representatives to strengthen and pass it.