Our Recent Work

As the leading civil rights organization in our state, we at the ACLU of Iowa believe it is our duty to keep the public informed about the state of their civil liberties. The work we do at the legislature, in the courts, and in our communities is important, but there is no better defender of civil rights than a public that is informed and engaged.

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Oct 5, 2020

Black Lives Matter Protesters Were Wrongly Banned from the Iowa State Capitol. We’re Suing.

The ACLU of Iowa has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a group of five protesters who have been banned from the Iowa Capitol Complex. The ban blocks their fundamental constitutional rights, including those of...

Jalesha Johnson, Brandi Ramus, Brad Penna, Haley Dikkers, capitol ban lawsuit

Sep 17, 2020

ACLU of Iowa Releases Legislative Report and Civil Liberties Scorecard

The ACLU of Iowa has released its 2020 Legislative Report and Civil Liberties Scorecard. It analyzes votes on key civil liberties votes by legislators in the 2019 and 2020 sessions and shows their record on...

Aug 5, 2020

In Iowa, Thousands of People with Felony Convictions Can Now Vote

Iowa no longer is the only state in the country to permanently and for life ban its citizens from voting following any felony conviction. Finally, tens of thousands of Iowans can now fully participate in...

Jul 24, 2020

Racist Taunts Aimed at Charles City Student Athlete Are Intolerable

Jeremiah Chapman, a Charles City High School baseball player, was taunted with racist comments during an away game at Waverly-Shell Rock High School. He was repeatedly called, "Colin," presumably in...

Jul 21, 2020

What Happened at the Statehouse in 2020?

Each legislative session has its challenges, but the 2020 session had more than its share. After its usual start in January, the Legislature suspended in mid-March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It...

Jul 8, 2020

Waterloo’s Ban the Box Ordinance is Vital for Racial Justice

A criminal record shouldn't define someone's entire existence.

That’s why, along with several other organizations and law professors,...

A criminal record shouldn't define someone's entire existence.

That’s why, along with several other organizations and law professors,...