Press Releases

The ACLU of New Jersey has media staff to handle inquiries from journalists on issues affecting civil liberties and constitutional freedoms. To schedule an interview with one of our experts, members of the press can send an email to press@aclu-nj.org. Please include your name, your outlet, your contact information, details about your story, and deadline.

Jan 14, 2025

ACLU-NJ Responds to Gov. Murphy’s 2025 State of the State Address

New Jersey has a powerful history of crafting ambitious public policy to build a better future. We will continue to work with Gov. Murphy and lawmakers at every opportunity to do exactly that.
Issue Areas: Racial & Economic Justice, Immigrants' Rights, Decarceration, Abortion Access
Jan 14, 2025

100 Organizations Call for Immigrant Protections as Governor Issues Penultimate State of State Address

With less than a week until President Trump’s inauguration, immigration advocates issue letter calling for permanent protections and legal services defense
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
Jan 10, 2025

Advocacy Groups File Amicus Brief in Support of NJ Attorney General’s Supersession of Paterson Police Department

The power of supersession is a necessary tool to promote accountability of police and is inherent to the authority of the NJ Attorney General as the state’s chief law enforcement officer.
Issue Areas: Police & Law Enforcement, Racial & Economic Justice, Criminal Legal System
Dec 16, 2024

ACLU-NJ Celebrates First Releases from State Prison Under its Clemency Project

The ACLU of New Jersey celebrates the announced release of three people from state prison as the first group to be granted commutations by Governor Murphy under the organization's Clemency Project, an initiative to encourage the use of categorical clemency for the release of groups of people.
Issue Areas: Decarceration, Criminal Legal System, Prisons & Jails
Dec 12, 2024

Assembly Committee Passes New Jersey Voter Empowerment Act

Passing the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey (NJVEA) will remove barriers to voting and ensure that all voters can make their voices heard.
Issue Areas: Voting Rights, Democracy & Civic Engagement, Racial & Economic Justice
Dec 12, 2024

ACLU-NJ Statement on the Cannabis Regulatory Commission's Failure to Meaningfully Increase the SEEF

We are extremely disappointed that the Cannabis Regulatory Commission has failed to live up to its promise to meaningfully reinvest cannabis revenue into communities targeted by decades of marijuana criminalization.
Issue Areas: Racial & Economic Justice, Drug Decriminalization
Dec 11, 2024

ACLU Tells Governors, State Attorneys General, Legislators, and Mayors: Build a Firewall for Freedom to Protect Our Rights During the Second Trump Administration

The American Civil Liberties Union and dozens of state affiliates around the country are asking state and local officials to build firewalls for freedom that would protect fundamental rights from likely attacks during the second Trump administration.
Issue Areas: Democracy & Civic Engagement, Immigrants' Rights, Immigration Enforcement & Detention, Abortion Access, Gender, Sexuality & Reproductive Freedom, LGBTQ+ Rights
Dec 09, 2024

ACLU-NJ Statement on the Signing of the Freedom to Read Act (A3446/S2421)

In enacting the Freedom to Read Act, New Jersey is living up to its values by protecting the fundamental rights to freely speak, think, read, and write – especially for those who are most vulnerable.
Issue Areas: Free Speech & Expression, Students' & Youth Rights, LGBTQ+ Rights
Dec 04, 2024

Labor, Faith, Community Coalition Launches ‘Million Voters Project’ to Reach Working Class Voters Ahead of Critical N.J. Governor’s Race

The Project will be the largest non-partisan voter engagement program in state history and seeks to empower voters on the heels of fundamental ballot reforms.
Issue Areas: Democracy & Civic Engagement, Voting Rights