Author | Lightnews

ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · 2d

We’re nearing the PA Supreme Court retention race on Nov. 4, so you might be wondering: What recent rulings have impacted our lives, communities, and civil liberties? This article does a breakdown. Stay informed, and vote by or before Election Day! www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/10...

How PA Supreme Court rulings impact cities like Philadelphia

On Nov. 4, Pennsylvania voters will decide whether to retain three state Supreme Court justices. Here’s how the court has shaped urban communities.

www.spotlightpa.org

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · 10d

We, the people, aren’t going anywhere, and we won’t be silenced. President Trump and his administration are abusing their power and denying us our fundamental rights in the process, but we won’t back down. Will we see you at a No Kings demonstration tomorrow? Events: www.nokings.org?SQF_SOURCE=a...

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · 14d

Honoring Indigenous Peoples' Day is an effort to tell the truth about our country's history and celebrate Native cultures so we can move forward together through restorative practices. We honor the Native people of PA: the Iroquois, Munsee Delaware, Lenape Delaware, Erie, Shawnee, and Susquehannock.

Brown graphic reads, "Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Today we honor Native Americans (and not that other guy)"

Brown graphic reads, "Why Indigenous Peoples’ Day? Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an effort to tell the truth about our country’s history. Since the ‘90s, universities, localities, and states have formally replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ or Native Americans’ Day.

The fight to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day began much earlier — led by Native American and Indigenous people advocating for our voices to be heard – and the movement has grown larger every year."

Brown graphic reads, "Why Indigenous Peoples’ Day?

It’s also a day to celebrate Native cultures and recognize the fights for justice and autonomy that Native Americans still face. In many cases, the passing of bills to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day have been accompanied by measures to preserve our culture and language, as well as attempts to reconcile wrongs done to our communities."

Brown graphic reads, "We continue the fight alongside our partners to defend the rights of Native American and Indigenous people to:

Vote

Speak and protest freely

Live our lives free from discrimination and criminalization

Live without government abuse of power"

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · 17d

When President Trump tries to silence our freedom of speech, we just get louder. Join a No Kings protest near you on October 18! www.nokings.org/?SQF_SOURCE=aclu

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · 24d

Our team is made up of passionate leaders, so we're not surprised when they are recognized! Congratulations to Naiymah and Sophia for this achievement!

You can find them on the list here: epgn.com/.../pgn-anno...

An orange background with a photo of Naiymah Sanchez on the left with medium-length black hair and a black blazer and a photo of Sophia Schiaroli with short blonde hair and a white dress. The text says, "Congratulations Naiymah and Sophia! aclu-pa's Naiymah Sanchez and Sophia Schiaroli were both named as one of the Most Influential LGBTQ+ Leaders for 2025 by Philadelphia Gay News!".

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · 27d

Victory!✌️ Our right to vote is sacred, which is why we have safeguards in place to protect it. Wash. Co (and all PA counties) must inform voters about ballot mistakes so they have the opportunity to cast a provisional ballot on Election Day.

Read more here: www.aclupa.org/press-releas...

Text on a dark blue graphic that says, "This is a significant victory for voters in Washington County and across the commonwealth. When Washington County decided not to notify voters of mistakes on their mail ballot, it wasn't just disenfranchising them, it was denying them due process. Mike Lee, Executive Director of the aclu of Pennsylvania".

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · Sep 26

You can't deny the dignity of our Hispanic/Latine loved ones and neighbors. This Hispanic Heritage Month, let’s honor, uplift, and emphasize the vital contributions, importance, and rights of Hispanic/Latine communities across Pennsylvania.

A graphic featuring three people, one woman with long and curly hair in the middle, another woman on the lower right with her hair in a ponytail, and an elderly man with a hat and mustache on the lower left with text in Spanish that says, "This Hispanic Heritage Month, ACLU-PA celebrates: The dignity, culture, and rights of Hispanic communities in Pennsylvania".

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · Sep 25

See our student rights' handbook for more on your rights:

Students' Rights Handbook - ACLU of Pennsylvania

Know Your Rights: A Handbook for Public School Students in Pennsylvania discusses student rights, when they can be exercised, and when school officials can limit them, and offers practical tips for st...

www.aclupa.org

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · Sep 25

The Facts: Your parents — or you, if you are over 18 — can ask to correct your records (put it in writing). If the school disagrees, you can request a hearing, and even if you lose the hearing, you can add a statement to your records.

A green background graphic with a tan and white notebook with text that says, "Myth: There is nothing that can be done if you have wrong or misleading information in your school records".

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · Sep 19

We want to hear from you: Tell us in the comments, what issues matter to you this year? 🤔

Text on a yellow background that says, "What issues are important to you in this year's election?".

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · Sep 18

A PA Supreme Court justice can serve another term based on retention vote results, which are a simple yes or no: Yes (Keep) or No (Remove). To learn more about what a retention election is and why it matters, visit: www.aclupa.org/scopa2025/

A dark blue graphic with text that says, "In Pennsylvania, state Supreme Court justices serve 10-year terms".

A dark blue graphic that says, "They are elected in partisan elections. Then at the end of their terms, they face yes-or-no retention votes to remain on the bench".

Text on a dark blue graphic that says, "If no wins, instead of justices serving another 10 years, they are removed, and a two-year partisan election process is initiated".

Text on a dark blue background that says, "During this two-year timeline, the governor can appoint temporary judges, with the state Senate's approval, until voters are asked to elect new judges in the next odd-year election".

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · Sep 18

Don't let an off-year offset your rights! PA Supreme Court justices help to uphold the issues that are most important to you throughout the commonwealth. Make your voice heard in this year's retention election.

Learn more about SCOPA and the race here: www.aclupa.org/scopa2025/.

A graphic on an orange background that says in blue and white text, "Attention. Retention".

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · Sep 17

Lawsuit✅
People power✅
Protest signs ✅

We joined the community before our court hearing, challenging Bucks County Sheriff Fred Harran's illegal decision to make it known: 287(g) agreements cause community fear and lead to racial profiling.

Learn more: www.aclupa.org/press-releas...

Danitra Sherman, wearing a tan blazer jacket, with long black braids, and holding a microphone at a colorful podium with text that says, "Immigrants are our neighbors. Not a line item" outside.

Diana Robinson from Make the Road Pennsylvania, wearing a light pink collared shirt with black pants, wearing black glasses, and holding a microphone at a colorful podium with text that says, "Immigrants are our neighbors. Not a line item" outside.

A woman with medium-length brown hair in a purple tie-dye shirt with a sign that says, "Keep the Immigrants. Deport the Racists!".

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · Sep 16

Do you know what to do if your school wants to search your locker? The answer is in our students’ rights handbook. Download your free copy today to learn about your rights: www.aclupa.org/know-your-ri....

Text on a pink background that says, "Never too young to dissent injustice".

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · Sep 5

Our recent cases and wins make it clear: you’re never too young to dissent. There is no age limit to knowing and standing up for your civil liberties.

A graphic on a light blue background that says, "The youth can dissent".

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · Sep 3

But we won't sit by and let them. Join us in the fight to protect our communities: action.aclu.org/send-message....

I just took action to demand an end to ICE collaboration in Pennsylvania. Will you join me?

Please take action!

action.aclu.org

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · Sep 3

“It’s a horrifying thought that the government is ready, willing and able to play with children’s lives in this way.” - Vic Walczak, ACLU-PA Legal Director

Pittsburgh lawyers and advocates scramble to protect local Guatemalan children amid U.S. deportation push

Up to 10 migrant teens in Pittsburgh-area shelters flagged for rapid removal amid U.S. deportation push over weekend. A U.S. judge halted it.

www.publicsource.org

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · Aug 29

Lee’s story underscores the need for trans youth to have access to lifesaving healthcare in PA. We highlighted the importance of this access last month:

By Refusing to Provide Necessary Care to Trans Youth Under 19 Years of Age, Penn State Health and UPMC Are Failing Their Patients - ACLU of Pennsylvania

The ACLU advocates for the legality of and access to gender-affirming care because we have a 105-year track record of fighting for equality and equity for all, especially those who have been marginali...

www.aclupa.org

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · Aug 28

📣A federal court just ordered U of Pittsburgh to lift the suspension of the campus club Students for Justice in Palestine and reinstate its full privileges after affirming that an open advocacy letter they sent was protected free speech under the U.S. Constitution. www.aclupa.org/cases/sjp-pi...

Students for Justice in Palestine at Pitt v. University of Pittsburgh - ACLU of Pennsylvania

On April 15, 2025, the ACLU of Pennsylvania sued the University of Pittsburgh on behalf of Students for Justice in Palestine at Pitt (SJP-Pitt), a university-affiliated organization that the school pl...

www.aclupa.org

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · Aug 28

Pittsburgh, what tools will you use to take on threats to your civil liberties? ACLU has you covered with a Power and Purpose training on September 6. Spots are limited, so don’t procrastinate: act.aclu.org/a/pittsburgh....

A blue graphic with a picture of a woman with long black hair shouting next to a megaphone with text that says, "Turn outrage into action. Join Power and Purpose: A popular education training. September 6. 9 am to 4:30 pm. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania."

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · Aug 27

Being unable to afford cash bail can disrupt families, jobs, and housing stability, all before someone has had their day in court.

We address these concerns in our statement: www.aclupa.org/press-releas....

Text on a burgundy background that says, "The president cannot override our Pennsylvania Constitution, which is clear: locking people up simply because they can't afford to pay is not justice. Witold, Vic, Walczak, legal director of the aclu of Pennsylvania".

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · Aug 27

The law is clear, Pennsylvania does not have to work with ICE. We urge @governor.pa.gov to end voluntary state collaboration in the commonwealth to protect our immigrant neighbors and their rights.

Send a letter here:

I just took action to demand an end to ICE collaboration in Pennsylvania. Will you join me?

Please take action!

action.aclu.org

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · Aug 19

"The military is not trained to police communities; it is trained to neutralize threats. Their presence in a policing role creates an environment of fear and confrontation, escalating tensions rather than resolving them."

I’m a veteran. We must reject the notion that troops on our streets are a solution. | Opinion

As a Marine, I vowed to protect the country, not turn my training — designed for combat, not de-escalation — on fellow citizens exercising their constitutional rights.

share.inquirer.com

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · Aug 14

“Everyone should be outraged no matter where they fall politically. If we believe in fairness, proportionality, and the rule of law, we cannot stay silent while our neighbors are disappeared into remote prisons simply for trying to survive and build a life.”

The immigrants deserve better

Albert Einstein said a picture is worth a thousand words. The photo of the sign at the Moshannon detention center in Philipsburg in today’s newspaper screams them. Irony, too. “Help shelter pets find ...

www.observer-reporter.com

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ACLU of Pennsylvania @aclupa.org · Aug 11

We must do all we can to fight back against President Trump's cruel war on immigrants. Tell Governor Shapiro to take action today to shut down ICE in Pennsylvania.

action.aclu.org/send-message...

A dark green graphic with text that says, "Governor Shapiro: No collaboration with ice."

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