ACLU of Virginia

Mission:
The ACLU of Virginia is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to defending and promoting the civil liberties and civil rights of all Virginians. The organization focuses on ensuring liberty, justice, equity, inclusion, and dignity for every individual, with a particular emphasis on those who have not yet secured the full exercise of their rights. The ACLU of Virginia works for systemic change through advocacy in communities, the legislature, and the courts, striving to realize the promise of the U.S. Constitution for all residents.

Areas of Focus:

• Criminal Legal Reform: Advocating for critical reforms to the criminal legal system and challenging practices such as solitary confinement.
• First Amendment Rights: Defending free speech and freedom of religion, including legal challenges to government actions that limit these rights.
• Immigrants' Rights: Protecting immigrants from discriminatory practices and ensuring access to the judicial process.
• LGBTQ+ Rights: Defending the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, including trans students' rights to use facilities matching their gender identity and challenging anti-trans policies.
• Reproductive Rights: Ensuring access to safe and legal abortions and challenging laws that place unnecessary burdens on patients and providers.
• Voting Rights: Protecting the right to vote, fighting against gerrymandering, and assisting with voter restoration for those who have lost their voting rights.

Services Provided:

• Legal Assistance: Individuals who believe their civil rights or liberties have been violated in Virginia can request legal help by submitting detailed information about their situation. The organization reviews thousands of requests annually but is unable to pursue most cases.
• Voter Restoration and Protection: Information and support for restoring voting rights and addressing voting-related issues, including referrals to hotlines in multiple languages.
• Advocacy and Policy Work: The organization’s legal, policy, communications, and grassroots organizing teams collaborate to address threats to marginalized communities and create lasting change.

Eligibility and Service Area:

• Services are available to all residents of Virginia, including those in Louisa County and surrounding regions.
• The organization is not a government agency or a general legal services provider and does not offer emergency services.

Notable Accomplishments:

• Landmark litigation such as the Loving v. Virginia case, which struck down state bans on interracial marriage.
• Ending sex segregation at the University of Virginia and setting precedents for integration.
• Blocking attempts to dilute the power of Black voters and defending marriage equality in Virginia.

Additional Information:

• The ACLU of Virginia is part of the national ACLU network, with 52 affiliates across the United States.
• The organization provides resources and referrals for issues outside its scope and maintains a list of additional organizations for those needing further assistance.