2023 at the ACLU: Our Year in Stories

Across the country, 2023 saw both new and ongoing challenges to civil rights, whether it was reproductive freedom, access to gender-affirming health care, or the ability to speak openly and freely in classrooms. But the ACLU has been there every step of the way, and we’ve seen many victories amid these challenges. Throughout the year, we brought attention to some of the country’s biggest fights to protect our rights, shared the stories of those whose freedoms were assailed, and celebrated hard-won battles. Look back with us on some of the civil rights moments that defined this year.

Ashley Lomboy’s son wears his hair long as part of his Native culture and heritage. When his school deemed it “faddish” and implied he would need to cut it to conform to their standards, she made her voice heard.

The latest attack on reproductive rights this year came in the form of a proposed ban against Mifepristone — a safe, effective, and commonly-used method of abortion. Learn more about this FDA-approved medication and the baseless case against it.

Former high school history teacher and ACLU lawyer Leah Watson explains the true threat that classroom censorship laws pose.

Systemic barriers and discrimination continue to impact access to voting today — but we’re fighting to ensure all people have equal access to voting.

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act allows for blatant abuses of privacy. Learn more about this pervasive act and how Congress must act.

Books and critical classroom discussions are being banned across the country — but this South Carolina teacher isn’t backing down.

Our nationwide tracking system helps advocates keep track of anti-LGBTQ bills and take effective action against them.

Mastercard’s discriminatory and dangerous policies further marginalize sex workers — so we called for a federal investigation.

Three advocates discuss how the ACLU shows up for asylum rights, and why they persist in spite of the difficult work.

Death qualification contributes to mass incarceration and the inherent racial bias embedded in our criminal legal system.