ACLU of Pennsylvania

Let's push our elected officials to get this done in 2021! Legalizing recreational marijuana will be one step toward reducing the number of people in our criminal legal system.

More than 60% of PA's total jail population have not been convicted of a crimemany of them are simply too poor to pay bail. Join us on 1/27 for a virtual screening of Trapped and a post-screening discussion about cash bail. RSVP: https://aclupa.org/en/events/trapped-cash-bail-america

The city released a report on Philly police violence during last summer's BLM protests, but unfortunately, it falls short. We don't need a recounting of the violence inflicted by officers. We need to know who failed and what the consequences are. #DivestNow

After a whirlwind of a year, ACLU-PA Legislative Director Liz Randol and Legislative Associate Marianne Stein look ahead to what we can expect out of Harrisburg in the next legislative session and what laws we'll be advocating for the in the new year.

In addition to trying to force accountability out of local officials, folks have been thinking very deeply about how to build alternatives and use community ties that don’t involve throwing people in cages. - Alex Domingos, Campaign for Smart Justice organizer, ACLU of PA

2020 was one of the hardest years in memory. We mourn those we've lost. And we keep working to make America the best it can be.

Probation officers agree: PA legislators amended away much of what was a good probation reform bill and ended up with a proposal that would have made the system worse. Any effort at probation reform MUST include hard caps on probation terms.

Voting is easy. But the law - and your options - can be nuanced. Get answers to some of the most frequent questions we hear on this episode of Speaking Freely with former Deputy Secretary of State Marian Schneider, available here or wherever you get your podcasts. https://aclupa.org/en/speakingfreelyep49

The Trump administration separated thousands of kids from their families, and 545 of them have yet to be reunited. The ACLU team has literally gone from town to town in Central America trying to find their families. We will not stop this search until we find every last family. https://www.pbs.org//why-hundreds-of-migrant-children-rema

A vendor sent 28,000 voters in Allegheny County the wrong ballot. The problem was fixed, and voters got the right ballot. Now GOP candidates have sued to challenge all 28,000+ ballots. We've joined Common Cause PA and Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in court to push back on their extreme position. Their claim is meritless but dangerous for democracy. Read our brief: https://aclupa.org//fi/21-1_ex_1_proposed_amicus_brief.pdf

In the days after Election Day, county election officials will be working hard to guarantee that every eligible voter has their ballot counted. Be patient. Trust the process.

Our work to #protectthevote has been at full speed for months. Learn more about how election protection works and what it means for you as a voter on the latest episode of Speaking Freely, available here or wherever you get your podcasts.

A policing task force formed in Pittsburgh this summer has released an initial set of recommendations to reform police and making clear that racial disparities "pervade every aspect" of policing. But a lack of data about race and police practices means there's not enough information to figure out exactly where the problems are, say task force members. Mayor Peduto promised better data collection starting immediately.

Questions about returning your mail-in ballot? Change your mind about voting by mail and prefer to vote in person on Election Day? We spoke with three election protection experts on our Speaking Freely podcast about common questions about voting by mail. Pass it on!

On Saturday, PA Black Votes Matter will join the A. Philip Randolph Institute - Pittsburgh Chapter to bring the latest Turn Up The Vote event to Pittsburgh's North Side. Free food and lots of (socially distanced) fun - bring your ballot and bring a friend! https://www.facebook.com/events/3817042501877119/

Q: I applied for my mail ballot awhile ago but still haven't received it. What should I do? A: Your county can issue a replacement ballot. Call or visit your county elections office during normal business hours. Some counties have also created satellite offices where you can request a new ballot and vote. Find your office and satellite locations: https://www.votespa.com/Voting-in-PA/Pages/Early-Voting.aspx.

The Medical Marijuana Act is clear - a person cannot be punished for being a registered patient. So why are these counties keeping people from getting their medicine, in defiance of a state Supreme Court ruling?

Election Day is just two weeks away. Here are some common questions our election protection team has been hearing from Pennsylvania voters. Pass it on!

When we talk about police reform, it’s kind of hard to have a genuine conversation when we don’t get to the understanding that police departments were built on an oppressive system to control black and brown people. -Danitra Sherman, ACLU-PA campaigns director

Don't be fooled by the probation "reform" bills in the Pennsylvania legislature. The proposed reform doesn't even institute caps on the length of time that a person can be on probation. Today, demand real reform and ask your representative to vote NO on HB 1555 / SB 14. https://aclupa.org/en/say-no-fake-probation-reform-4