News & Commentary

Yesterday, H. 57 was signed into law by Vermont Governor Phil Scott. This law preserves the right to reproductive health services like abortion and ensures that no government entity can infringe upon or restrict that right.

This legislative session, Vermont lived up to its “brave little state” reputation with historic and far-reaching civil liberties wins. In the midst of sustained, unprecedented attacks on constitutional norms, the ACLU of Vermont – together with our members, supporters, volunteers, and partners – set out to reaffirm our democratic values of equality, liberty, and personal autonomy for all. Thank you for standing with us and making your voice heard at this critical point in our history.

Vermont stands at a crossroads on criminal justice reform. The direction we choose will have enormous implications for the well-being of Vermont communities for generations to come.

Joint Statement of Vermont Branch of NAACP & ACLU of Vermont 

In August, the ACLU of Vermont sent letters to six Vermont cities and towns, urging them to repeal anti-panhandling ordinances that infringe on the free speech rights of Vermonters in need. The letters were part of a nationwide effort among 18 organizations in 12 states that targeted more than 240 similar outdated ordinances. We joined this effort because it should never be illegal to ask for help.In response, officials in Bennington, Brattleboro, Montpelier, Rutland Town, and Winooski took decisive action to protect the constitutional rights of their residents by repealing their anti-panhandling ordinances. Barre City placed theirs on indefinite moratorium. We will continue to work with local officials to bring their laws in line with the Constitution and common sense, encouraging state and local governments to bolster their efforts to address the root causes of homelessness—including lack of food, housing, and health care.

What happened to Rep. Kiah Morris is a crisis for Vermont.

Joaquin McEnteer completed a summer internship with the ACLU of Vermont. This essay is his culmunating project. He is a high school Senior at Academia Cotopaxi in Quito, Ecuador.

Have you ever watched an episode of “Law & Order”? The creators do an amazing job of dramatizing the court process. The characters playing the prosecutors are always eloquent and passionate as they go toe-to-toe with an indignant defense attorney who is quick to counter every point. We see this version of the trial process all the time in mainstream media. The real life, everyday version is much different. My real-life experience was much different.

Millions of people have joined the outcry against the Trump administration’s practice of separating the children of immigrants and asylum seekers at the border, which the American Association of Pediatrics has called “government-sanctioned child abuse.”