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 30, 2020

Statement Regarding Police Presence at Protests in Bridgeport

People are protesting in Bridgeport following the killing by Minneapolis police of George Floyd. The following is a reaction from David McGuire, executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut.
Issue Areas: Racial Justice, Free Speech, Policing
Feb 21, 2020

Settlement Reached in Case of Cops Who Took Camera From Protester

A lawsuit brought by the ACLU of Connecticut on behalf of protester Michael Picard against three Connecticut State Police employees who were caught on camera appearing to confiscate his camera and give him unwarranted tickets has settled.
Issue Areas: Policing, Free Speech
Court Cases: Picard v. Torneo, Jacobi, Barone
Sep 25, 2019

Trial Ordered for Cops Who Took Camera Away from Protester

Three Connecticut state police employees who were caught on camera appearing to prevent video recording and give baseless tickets to a protester have been ordered to stand trial.
Issue Areas: Policing, Free Speech
Court Cases: Picard v. Torneo, Jacobi, Barone
Oct 22, 2018

ACLU of Connecticut Sues Stamford Police Employee for Violation of Protester’s Rights

In a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court, the ACLU of Connecticut contends that a Stamford police employee illegally and maliciously violated a protester’s rights by confiscating his phone and protest sign and arresting and arresting and jailing him for exercising his freedom of speech.
Issue Areas: Free Speech, Policing
Mar 23, 2018

ACLU-CT Reacts to Connecticut Judiciary Committee Decision Not to Allow People to Wear Shirts, Buttons, or Stickers with Political Messages at Hearings

The Connecticut Judiciary Committee’s decision not to allow people to wear shirts, buttons, or stickers with political messages at legislative hearings is unreasonable and raises serious First Amendment concerns.
Issue Areas: Free Speech
Oct 10, 2017

ACLU of Connecticut Statement on ESPN’s Suspension of Jemele Hill

ESPN, a company headquartered in Bristol, Connecticut, suspended anchor Jemele Hill after she shared her thoughts about NFL protests on her personal social media page. David McGuire, executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut, issued the following statement.
Issue Areas: Free Speech, Racial Justice, Policing
Jul 14, 2017

Statement Regarding Trinity College Decision to Retain Professor After Social Media Controversy

"While there may be better ways to draw attention to the very real problem of white supremacy, Professor Williams’s choices to use an offensive hashtag, link to a controversial article, and express his political views on his personal Facebook page were protected free speech."
Issue Areas: Free Speech