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.”

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
Oct 05, 2017

ACLU of Connecticut Comment on Assault Conviction of Former Hartford Police Officer Sean Spell

Sean Spell, a former Hartford police sergeant, was convicted of assault charges stemming from an incident in which he stomped on a handcuffed man’s head during an arrest in June of 2016. The following is a reaction from David McGuire, executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut.
Issue Areas: Policing, Racial Justice
Sep 28, 2017

Another Study Shows Racial Disparities in Policing in Connecticut

Connecticut's second statewide police Taser report shows increases in racial disparities in police Taser use, increases in police Taser use against people in mental health crises, and more police Taser use against children.
Issue Areas: Policing, Racial Justice, Youth and Student Rights
Jul 20, 2017

ACLU-CT Reaches Settlement in Lawsuit Stemming from Unjust Traffic Stop by Bridgeport Police

The ACLU of Connecticut reached a settlement in its case against two Bridgeport police officers on behalf of Woodrow Vereen, a music minister and father who was unjustly stopped, frisked, and detained by police on his way to get ice cream with his sons after a Little League game.
Issue Areas: Policing, Racial Justice
Court Cases: Vereen v. Ruffin and Vasquez
Jun 08, 2017

ACLU of Connecticut Commends Passage of Solitary Confinement Reform Legislation

"We welcome this bill’s passage, commend legislators from throughout the political spectrum for taking a stand to protect vulnerable people from solitary confinement, and will continue to work toward stopping solitary confinement once and for all in our state.”
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal System, Racial Justice