What Does Resistance Look Like?

A message from NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman:
 
It has been less than a year since Donald Trump was sworn into office. His campaign made it very
clear that his presidency would put our democracy under siege. Unfortunately, the Trump regime has confirmed our worst fears. They have pursued a relentless agenda of hate, greed, and disdain for the principles of freedom, equality and justice that lie at the heart of our democracy.
 
So...the NYCLU has been relentlessly fighting back, helping to lead the resistance.
 
Perhaps the most visible, ruthless and gut-wrenching attacks have targeted immigrants. In January, we fought back—at the airports, in the courts, and in the streets—to stop the Muslim ban. And just last month we won a major victory for the many refugees held in the Batavia, New York federal detention facility without a bond hearing or consideration for parole.
 
As we strive to defend justice, the NYCLU has been relentless in our pursuit of police transparency and accountability. In New York City, we led the campaign for the Right to Know Act. We launched an interactive campaign called #ListeningNYC, inviting New Yorkers to talk to each other about policing and demand that the mayor holds the NYPD accountable for protecting all communities equally, with dignity and respect. We also released the first part of our Police Report Card series, Taking Cover, which details the lack of transparency in police departments around the state. Finally, we sued the NYPD for discriminating against black detectives seeking promotions in the department’s intelligence division.
 
Everyone’s rights are at risk—even our children: this administration’s rollback of federal protections for transgender students is a prime example. Here at the NYCLU, we look out for young people. We successfully challenged the Buffalo City School District for discrimination against LGBTQ students at McKinley High School and won recognition for the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance. Our lawsuit put an end to the use of solitary confinement on juveniles awaiting trial in the Onondaga County “Justice” Center. And now, we’re suing to demand changes to use-of-force policy on behalf of a 14-year-old student in Syracuse who was choked until he lost consciousness by a police officer assigned to his school.
 
We’ve been very busy because the attacks come daily. Every win for the NYCLU is a win for New York and none of this would be possible without your unwavering support.
 
Thank you for standing with us in troubling times.