News & Commentary

The tragic killing of unarmed teenager Michael Brown has raised many questions for the community of Ferguson, as well as the entire nation. From the ACLU’s perspective there are many civil liberties issues at play, which has prompted an immediate response both from our affiliate in Missouri as well as the entire ACLU nationwide.

On Wednesday, we’ll be sponsoring a special screening in Portland of “The Internet’s Own Boy,” the story of programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz. Before taking his own life at the age of 26, Aaron was a technological whiz kid with his fingerprints all over the Internet. But in his final years his political activism and aggressive approach to information access ensnared him in a legal battle with the government that threatened to put him in prison for decades.We’re excited to present this film not only because it tells Aaron’s compelling personal story, but also because it touches on many new areas of law that the ACLU has been dealing with over the past few years. From free speech on the Internet to net neutrality to the overall relationship between

Each Friday, we’ll bring you updates on the latest civil liberties news from Maine and the nation.

Each Friday, we’ll bring you updates on the latest civil liberties news from Maine and the nation.

As the 2014 legislative session comes to a close, I’m still holding my breath for five bills that have made their way to the governor’s desk. The governor has until next week to decide whether to sign, veto, or let the bills pass into law without signature.

It’s been nearly a year since the Guardian and the Washington Post first began publishing reports based on leaks from Edward Snowden, and in the months that followed neither newspaper was immune from criticism.

Each Friday, we’ll bring you updates on the latest civil liberties news from Maine and the nation.

Just a few hours ago the ACLU was honored to host the first live interview with whistleblower Edward Snowden since his bombshell revelations about government spying last year. The “virtual conversation” took place at the SXSW Initiative, a massive technology festival held every year in Texas, and featured a highly-secure live video feed of Snowden.