Press Releases

ACLU of Connecticut lawyers and advocates are leading experts on civil rights, civil liberties, and constitutional freedoms. They are regularly sought out by leading media to provide a voice to the most important issues facing Connecticut. If you are a member of the press and wish to speak with a representative of the ACLU of Connecticut, please contact us at media@acluct.org. If you are a member of the media and wish to receive ACLU of Connecticut press releases, please send your name, the outlet for which you work, your email address, and phone number to media@acluct.org with the subject line “Press Release Distribution.”

May 21, 2020

Reaction to Federal Court's Change of Date for Oral Arguments in McPherson v Lamont

The federal court today moved the hearing date for oral arguments in McPherson v Lamont, a federal class action lawsuit seeking emergency action to protect people incarcerated by the State of Connecticut from COVID-19, to June 1, 2020.
Court Cases: McPherson et al v Lamont et al
May 20, 2020

Reaction to Governor Lamont Executive Order Extending Absentee Vote-by-Mail for August Primary Election

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Lamont today issued an emergency executive order to modify existing Connecticut absentee voting law to allow voters to vote absentee by mail. The following is a reaction from Kelly McConney Moore, ACLU-CT policy counsel.
May 15, 2020

State Supreme Court Allows Fast Appeal of State Court Lawsuit Seeking to Protect Incarcerated People from COVID-19

The Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court today granted an application to allow incarcerated people to directly appeal the dismissal of a lawsuit seeking to protect them from COVID-19.
Court Cases: Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association et al v Lamont and Cook, McPherson et al v Lamont et al
May 06, 2020

Federal Court Allows Class Action Lawsuit Seeking to Protect Incarcerated People from COVID-19 to Proceed

In a ruling issued today, Judge Janet Bond Arterton denied a procedural motion filed by the State of Connecticut seeking to dismiss the lawsuit. With today’s action from the court, the lawsuit will be allowed to proceed based on the merits of the case.
Court Cases: McPherson et al v Lamont et al
Apr 22, 2020

Statement Regarding Westport Drone COVID-19 Pilot Program

The Westport Police Department has announced a new drone pilot program which, police say, will be used to "monitor" social distancing and "identify" people's health symptoms, such as fevers or coughs. The following is a reaction from David McGuire, executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut.
Apr 21, 2020

ACLU of Connecticut Files Federal Emergency Lawsuit to Force Governor, Commissioner of Correction to Protect Incarcerated People from COVID-19

The ACLU of Connecticut filed a federal class action lawsuit late last night on behalf of all people incarcerated in Connecticut prisons and jails, seeking emergency action to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC) facilities.
Court Cases: McPherson et al v Lamont et al
Apr 15, 2020

ACLU of Connecticut Statement Regarding Today’s Hearing in Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association et al v Lamont et al

The Connecticut Superior Court today held a telephone hearing for oral arguments regarding a class action lawsuit brought by the ACLU seeking emergency court action to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by reducing the number of people who are incarcerated in Connecticut DOC prisons and jails.
Court Cases: Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association et al v Lamont and Cook
Apr 13, 2020

ACLU of Connecticut Reacts to First Death from COVID-19 of A Person Incarcerated by State of Connecticut

The Connecticut Department of Correction today announced that the first death from COVID-19 of a person incarcerated by the State of Connecticut. The following is a reaction from David McGuire, executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut.