On the 49th anniversary of Roe, CT has to be a firewall for abortion access

Connecticut must be in solidarity with people harmed by other states’ abortion bans, as well as people here who still need access. We must also look inward at our own state’s inequities.

A yellow square. Centered, in red text, it says: abortion access for all. At the bottom right is the ACLU of Connecticut logo in blue and red.

Project Flashlight

Shining a light on the ways police operate in the shadows.

A black background. Bottom left, a statue of justice from behind, glowing. In the center, "Project Flashlight" is written, "project" in yellow and "flashlight" in white. Bottom right, the ACLU of Connecticut logo in white.

Three things that must happen when a prison closes

Closure is just the first, minimum step. Any time Connecticut closes a prison, the state must also do these three things.

By Anderson Curtis, Claudine Constant, Gus Marks-Hamilton

A cardboard sign sits on the grass in front of the CT state capitol building. In black letters with white background, the sign says: "dismantle the mass incarceration system"

Connecticut’s first inspector general has a lot to prove

We need a robust Inspector General pursuing police accountability, and the challenges facing this role make clear that local and statewide elected officials also need to do more.

By Claudine Constant

Smart Justice leaders stand in front of the CT capitol. The sun is breaking through a cloud. One person stands with arms upstretched above their head, behind the people not prisons banner

15 Questions for the People Trying to Become CT’s First Inspector General

Here's what the four finalists had to say about police accountability and racial justice.

Protesters march in Hartford to call for the state to value Black lives. In the foreground, a person has their fist up. In the background, a Black Lives Matter sign

Connecticut’s first Inspector General must be ready to hold police accountable

Justice would be people never being hurt or killed by police in the first place, ending systemic racism, and reallocating policing budgets to instead go to things that create real public safety. But police accountability is also necessary, and the Inspector General must be prepared to seek it.

A group of protesters walks in Hartford. One holds a cardboard sign that says, in black letters, "defend Black lives"

We Must Value Kids Over Cars: Address Youth Crime with Better Community Services, Not with Detention

A knee-jerk reaction to leverage incarceration to solve this problem is like using a sledgehammer to crack an egg.

By Claudine Constant

Photo of people with hands raised.

Marijuana possession becomes legal in Connecticut on July 1

We are committed to ensuring this country’s disastrous war on drugs ends, and that will only happen by ensuring the equitable enforcement of this law. It is within this context the ACLU and CTJA write this letter to assure you that we will be observing the adherence to the new law.

Photo of small cannabis plant in a pot. Other pots can be seen in the background.

Here’s What Happened in Connecticut’s 2021 Legislative session

During this session, the ACLU of Connecticut weighed in with testimony on more than 150 bills. We supported and helped pass bills that advance prison reform, civil rights and liberties.

By Claudine Constant, Anderson Curtis, Gus Marks-Hamilton, David McGuire

img_2305.jpg