At Liberty is a weekly podcast that explores the most pressing civil rights and civil liberties questions of our time. Catch new episodes on Thursday at 9am ET.
episodes
March 28, 2025
Free Mahmoud Khalil with Ben Wizner and Baher Azmy
Mahmoud Khalil is a recent Columbia University graduate, activist, soon-to-be father, and U.S. green card holder. On March 8, he was unlawfully detained because of his speech in defense of Palestinian human rights. On this week’s episode of At Liberty, host W. Kamau Bell is joined by two members of...
Free Mahmoud Khalil with Ben Wizner and Baher AzmyMarch 28, 2025
Free Mahmoud Khalil with Ben Wizner and Baher Azmy
Free Mahmoud Khalil with Ben Wizner and Baher AzmyMahmoud Khalil is a recent Columbia University graduate, activist, soon-to-be father, and U.S. green card holder. On March 8, he was unlawfully detained because of his speech in defense of Palestinian human rights. On this...
October 15, 2024
At Liberty Live with W. Kamau Bell: Detroit’s Activist Roots - Engaging Communities in the Fight for Justice
You may recognize W. Kamau Bell from his multi-Emmy award-winning docuseries United Shades of America, from his Substack Who’s With Me, or from his commercials for the ACLU. If you're a longtime supporter of the ACLU, you'll know Bell has worked with us for more than a decade as our...
At Liberty Live with W. Kamau Bell: Detroit’s Activist Roots - Engaging Communities in the Fight for JusticeOctober 15, 2024
At Liberty Live with W. Kamau Bell: Detroit’s Activist Roots - Engaging Communities in the Fight for Justice
At Liberty Live with W. Kamau Bell: Detroit’s Activist Roots - Engaging Communities in the Fight for JusticeYou may recognize W. Kamau Bell from his multi-Emmy award-winning docuseries United Shades of America, from his Substack Who’s With Me, or from his commercials for the ACLU. If you're a longtime supporter of the...
July 8, 2024
The Supreme Court Ruled, What Now?
Another Supreme Court term has come to a close. This year, the court delivered major decisions on reproductive freedom, voting rights, free speech, this women's rights, gun rights, and presidential immunity, among other decisions. The ACLU was involved in cases throughout the term, and as far as wins and losses,...
The Supreme Court Ruled, What Now?Another Supreme Court term has come to a close. This year, the court delivered major decisions on reproductive freedom, voting rights, free speech, this women's rights, gun rights, and presidential immunity, among other decisions. The...
May 23, 2024
Jason Reynolds Is Creating a Literary Archive for the Next Generation
On this episode, "At Liberty" producer Vanessa Handy speaks with young adult and middle-grade literature author, Jason Reynolds. Though he writes for young audiences, Jason doesn't shy away from serious themes or challenges, with many of his books dealing with death, mourning, racism, police brutality, and gun violence. Jason writes...
Jason Reynolds Is Creating a Literary Archive for the Next GenerationMay 23, 2024
Jason Reynolds Is Creating a Literary Archive for the Next Generation
Jason Reynolds Is Creating a Literary Archive for the Next GenerationOn this episode, "At Liberty" producer Vanessa Handy speaks with young adult and middle-grade literature author, Jason Reynolds. Though he writes for young audiences, Jason doesn't shy away from serious themes or challenges, with many...
May 8, 2024
Special Edition: What We're Seeing at Campus Anti-War Protests
On April 17, students at Columbia University set up an encampment to show support for Palestinians and demand the university divest from its business related to or within Israel as a means of anti-war protest. In the weeks since its inception, the protest movement has spread, with encampments set up...
Special Edition: What We're Seeing at Campus Anti-War ProtestsMay 8, 2024
Special Edition: What We're Seeing at Campus Anti-War Protests
Special Edition: What We're Seeing at Campus Anti-War ProtestsOn April 17, students at Columbia University set up an encampment to show support for Palestinians and demand the university divest from its business related to or within Israel as a means of anti-war protest....
May 2, 2024
Answering Your Student Speech Questions
With the rise of anti-war protests and encampments taking place on college campuses across the country, we are sharing an episode from a couple of years ago that addresses some questions related to free speech in an education setting. In this episode, our resident free speech expert Ben Wizner answers...
Answering Your Student Speech QuestionsWith the rise of anti-war protests and encampments taking place on college campuses across the country, we are sharing an episode from a couple of years ago that addresses some questions related to free speech...
December 14, 2023
2023 in Review: The Latest on the Stories That Made Our Year
2023 is coming to a close, and we have weathered so much this year. At the ACLU, we continue to fight for civil rights and civil liberties across the country. We’re prying open every opportunity for abortion access and reproductive health care following the overturn of Roe, blocking trans health...
2023 in Review: The Latest on the Stories That Made Our YearDecember 14, 2023
2023 in Review: The Latest on the Stories That Made Our Year
2023 in Review: The Latest on the Stories That Made Our Year2023 is coming to a close, and we have weathered so much this year. At the ACLU, we continue to fight for civil rights and civil liberties across the country. We’re prying open every opportunity...
December 7, 2023
The Unconstitutional Silencing of Pro-Palestinian Student Groups
Free speech is one of the hallmarks of a functioning democracy and one of our fundamental constitutional rights. At the ACLU, we know that it's precisely in times of crisis and fear when free speech, open debate, and peaceful dissent are most important. Over the last few months, as the...
The Unconstitutional Silencing of Pro-Palestinian Student GroupsDecember 7, 2023
The Unconstitutional Silencing of Pro-Palestinian Student Groups
The Unconstitutional Silencing of Pro-Palestinian Student GroupsFree speech is one of the hallmarks of a functioning democracy and one of our fundamental constitutional rights. At the ACLU, we know that it's precisely in times of crisis and fear when free speech,...
October 5, 2023
Internet Censorship Won't Make Kids Safe
Today’s young people have a lot to deal with. Pandemic interruptions, social isolation, climate change, political polarization, ever-changing technology — all on top of the typical turbulence of adolescence. Studies on youth mental health outcomes show increasing loneliness and hopelessness, illustrating one thing: the kids are not alright. We all...
Internet Censorship Won't Make Kids SafeToday’s young people have a lot to deal with. Pandemic interruptions, social isolation, climate change, political polarization, ever-changing technology — all on top of the typical turbulence of adolescence. Studies on youth mental health outcomes...
September 7, 2023
Why Is Texas Eliminating School Libraries?
Back-to-school season is upon us and here at the ACLU we’ve been following the nationwide campaign to censor education, be that the censorship of important historical and social context in curriculums, or the recent rise in book bans. All of these efforts threaten students' right to learn. As we chart...
Why Is Texas Eliminating School Libraries?September 7, 2023
Why Is Texas Eliminating School Libraries?
Why Is Texas Eliminating School Libraries?Back-to-school season is upon us and here at the ACLU we’ve been following the nationwide campaign to censor education, be that the censorship of important historical and social context in curriculums, or the recent rise...