Freedom and Unity. Faced with unprecedented threats to our democracy, the people of Vermont are drawing on these shared values and traditions to counter the federal government’s abuse of power.

"The obstacles we face are daunting and the outcomes are uncertain, but to prevail, we must continually remember our collective power—and use it." - James Duff Lyall, Executive Director

We know that Supreme Court law and procedures are complicated, and you shouldn't need a law degree to understand how the Court is shaping your rights.

The Advocacy Academy kicks off this Thursday with our first session! There is still time to register for this four-part series. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect, learn, and deepen your impact. To learn more about this series and register for your spot, visit acluvt.org/news

Last Thursday's Annual Meeting was a powerful convergence of celebration, community, and commitment to the crucial work that lies ahead. We were thrilled and deeply honored to host our largest attendance ever! To read the full review in our latest blog post, visit acluvt.org/news

A friendly heads-up: The Advocacy Academy is almost here! Our new vital training series begins in one week. Don't forget to register for this four-part series held on Thursday evenings starting October 30th. To learn more about this series and register for your spot, visit acluvt.org/news

The evidence is all around us that, despite Vermont leaders’ official statements, racism is alive and well and continues to perpetuate real harm in our communities. www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2...

We are deeply saddened to learn the Pride Center of Vermont is pausing its operations. Our hearts go out to the staff, volunteers, and supporters who have worked tirelessly to sustain the organization’s educational, public health, and community-building programs and services over the years.

The Advocacy Academy begins in a few weeks! This is your opportunity to connect, learn, and deepen your understanding of how to create change in our current political environment. To learn more and to RSVP for your spot, visit acluvt.org/news. The time to act is now!

We're counting down the days until we gather at the beautiful Barr Hill by Caledonia Spirits in Montpelier! We invite you to spend an evening celebrating our progress and recharging your commitment. Spots are going quickly, so don't miss out—RSVP today to save your spot at acluvt.org/AM25.

The ACLU of Vermont and our partners are at the Second Circuit Court of Appeals today, demanding justice for our clients Rümeysa Öztürk and Mohsen Mahdawi. We'll never stop fighting for our constitutional rights. Read more about these two cases in our most recent blog at acluvt.org/news

Our ACLU of Vermont Annual Meeting is weeks away! Join us at Barr Hill by Caledonia Spirits in Montpelier. Hear from our team and mingle with fellow Vermonters committed to defending democracy. Don't miss out—RSVP today to save your spot at acluvt.org/AM25. See you soon!

We're fighting for reproductive justice in Vermont. Our client, A.V., had her rights violated when DCF secretly surveilled her pregnancy, lied to a judge, & took legal custody of her fetus. Now, DCF and their partners want to dismiss our lawsuit. To read more about this case, visit acluvt.org/news.

Join us for the Advocacy Academy, our new virtual training series! The ACLU of Vermont is launching this series to empower everyone to become effective advocates for civil rights and liberties. To learn more about this series and RSVP for your spot, visit acluvt.org/news.

Join us at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Brattleboro on Tuesday, September 30th, to come together and learn your responsibilities in protecting your community. We will be hosting a training session on what to do if ICE comes to your church or place of worship. We hope to see you there!

Application Review: Begins on September 19th To strengthen our capacity during this critical period, we are hiring a full-time, salaried Field manager with approved funding for the next three years. For more information about the position, please visit acluvt.org/jobs.

Trans youth are deeply valued members of our community who are deserving of inclusion, care, and celebration. While this ruling is disappointing, it’s important to underscore that the court did not rule against Vermont’s policy of including trans kids in school sports. vtdigger.org/2025/09/09/v...

In its public comment to the Vermont Criminal Justice Council, the ACLU is calling on the state to build on its landmark Fair and Impartial Policing Policy (FIPP) to limit local entanglement in federal deportation efforts. Read more about this in our latest blog post at acluvt.org/news.

The ACLU of Vermont stands with LGBTQ+ students and their supporting communities, and we will be walking at Burlington Pride tomorrow. We'd love for you to stop by our table to say hello! Want to learn how you can support the LGBTQ+ community in Vermont? Visit acluvt.org to learn more.

The ACLU of Vermont team invites you to our Annual Meeting at the beautiful Barr Hill by Caledonia Spirits in Montpelier! To learn more about the event and RSVP today to save your spot at acluvt.org/AM25.

We’ve just sent our Back to School Toolkit, which offers updated guidance, to Vermont school leaders, educators, and partners, outlining the legal obligations – and opportunities – that schools have to protect students' rights. Learn more and download the toolkit at acluvt.org/news.

In response to rising threats to our civil rights and civil liberties here in Vermont, we are looking for a Field Manager to join our team. This is a full-time, salaried position with funding approved for the next 3 years. For more information about the position, please visit acluvt.org/careers.

ICYMI: Last week, Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas announced that her office would not share sensitive voter information with the Trump administration. We applaud Secretary Copeland Hanzas decision to protect Vermonters' right to privacy. vtdigger.org/2025/08/13/v...

We should all have access to accurate IDs. From opening a bank account or driving to booking a hotel, purchasing alcohol, or even getting a library card, they're essential to public life. Thanks to a new Vermont law, all residents can now renew their state ID early.

President Trump is trying to use the National Guard and active-duty military troops to help carry out his cruel mass deportation campaign. We're glad to see Vermont's governor has refused to go along — that's the kind of leadership we need and deserve. www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2...

It's time Vermont's wealthiest paid their fair share. By adding your name, you'll stand up for economic well-being, protected public services, & a state where everyone can thrive. To sign the petition and to learn more about the Fair Share campaign, visit acluvt.org/news

That's a wrap on an impactful 2025 legislative session, marked by new elected officials, shifting power dynamics, contentious education reform discussions, and pressures from the Trump administration. Read our analysis of the key moments in our latest blog post at: www.acluvt.org/en/news/2025...

Vermont's humanitarian crisis is escalating. End Homelessness VT needs your help to provide vital support. Donate or sign up for volunteer opportunities tomorrow at endhomelessnessvt.org. Please contact Gov. Scott's office (802-828-3333) NOW to urge him to extend emergency housing.

This morning, the Supreme Court ruled that Tennessee’s law banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth can remain in effect. While this often life-saving care remains available in Vermont, we know this is a painful setback in the fight for trans rights.

Vermonters expect leaders from public and private institutions to respect the rule of law and our democratic norms. In the face of the rapid and brazenly unconstitutional executive actions issued by the Trump administration, we have issued new legal guidance on how to handle unlawful directives.

The almost daily barrage of executive actions issued by the Trump administration is intended to create chaos, division, and uncertainty. But violating Vermont values—and our most cherished constitutional rights—to curry favor with the federal government is a misguided strategy at best.

We urge leaders at Vermont institutions to pause and scrutinize any directive or request from the federal government before reflexively complying with what may ultimately prove to be an unlawful attempt to gain leverage. Read our full legal guidance at bit.ly/4e9Qm8O

Know your rights! As we prepare for the No Kings Protest tomorrow, let's remember our power and protect our voices. Stay safe, stay informed.

We are deeply disappointed by Governor Scott’s decision to veto H. 91. After repeated calls for reform, H. 91 proposed a viable path forward for transitioning away from the state’s current hotel/motel system without abandoning those most impacted by the homelessness crisis in our state.

President Trump is suppressing protests for immigrants’ rights with active duty military. Tell Congress to take action NOW to protect our First Amendment rights and keep military troops out of our communities: action.aclu.org/send-message...

H.91 enacts essential reforms to the state's emergency housing program. It's now on Governor Scott to decide whether the bill will become law. Send a message to the governor and encourage two friends to do the same. action.aclu.org/send-message...

The VT Senate is considering S.127, a crucial housing bill that would expand access for immigrant families. This legislation prevents landlords from asking about immigration status and creates housing discrimination protections. Visit acluvt.org/act for more information and to take action NOW!

We need volunteers from across the state to join us as tabling activists! During this Zoom workshop, you'll learn how to effectively reach out "across the table," from engaging in conversations with the public to empowering supporters to take action. To RSVP and learn more, visit acluvt.org/events

Our Letter to the Editor 101 Workshop is the perfect opportunity to learn how to craft powerful LTEs and share their thoughts and opinions with their community. Join ACLU Vermont and let’s make some noise! To RSVP and learn more, visit acluvt.org/events

Big news for immigrant justice in Vermont! Governor Phil Scott signed S.44 into law. This vital act closes a loophole that could have allowed law enforcement to collaborate with federal immigration authorities without the Governor's approval. To find out how to get involved, go to acluvt.org/act

Time is running out to protect emergency housing in Vermont!  3,400 of our neighbors urgently need reliable shelter. H.91 will keep Vermonters housed and strengthen our social safety net.  Join us in urging your senators to PASS H.91 at acluvt.org/act.

The ACLU of Vermont invites you to join our vital Action Team! On Wednesday, May 14th, from 5:30p.m. to 6:30p.m., we're hosting a virtual information session. To register for this virtual session and for further details, please visit acluvt.org/en/news. And please help us spread the word!

Application Review: Begins on May 5th To strengthen our capacity during this critical period, we are hiring a full-time, salaried Staff Attorney with approved funding for the next three years. For more information about the position, please visit acluvt.org/careers.

Exciting news! Our team is growing, and we need your help to spread the word. ACLU-VT is hiring a full-time Staff Attorney for the next 3 years to enhance our capacity during this crucial time. For further information about this position, visit acluvt.org.

The U.S. government’s escalating attacks on noncitizens’ right to free speech should scare us all. Last week, we joined the legal team representing Rümeysa Öztürk, a Fulbright scholar and Ph.D. student at Tufts University who was arrested and detained by ICE agents in Somerville, MA.

We’re proud to join the legal team representing Rümeysa Öztürk, a Tufts Ph.D. student who was wrongfully detained by plainclothes ICE agents in Somerville, MA last month. Rümeysa was taken to St. Albans, VT before being flown to Louisiana, where she remains imprisoned because of an op-ed she wrote.

We’ve joined 118 other organizations—and counting—in signing an open letter to state leaders urging them to use the full power of their office to defend our rights, the environment, and our democracy. Learn more and take action at acluvt.org/letter.

URGENT ACTION ALERT: Tell Governor Scott to extend the emergency housing program by passing H.141, the Budget Adjustment Act. Take 2 minutes to send a message at acluvt.org/baa, then spread the word! #vtpoli

As a nonpartisan, government accountability organization, we are clear-eyed about the threat President-elect Trump poses to our nation--but we aren't new to this fight. With a 105-year track record, we are ready to defend our civil rights and civil liberties in the courts and in our communities..

We’re suing the City of Burlington on behalf of Cathy Austrian, whose 14-year-old child experienced a life-altering injustice at the hands of police and paramedics in May 2021.   Burlington police were not called to a crisis that day—they created one. 🧵  www.acluvt.org/en/press-rel...