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08.04.20
ACLU of Ohio Calls on Judges, Prosecutors to Implement Specific Jail Depopulation Strategies in Anticipation of a COVID-19 Resurgence
COLUMBUS — The ACLU of Ohio sent a letter to over 450 criminal legal stakeholders in Ohio with urgent recommendations to mitigate the ongoing risks associated with COVID-19 for incarcerated populations, specifically people in Ohio’s county jails. The ripple effect of the deadly virus is, and will continue to be, ongoing, but decreasing local jail Read more…
Criminal Justice
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07.31.20
Groups Sue Ohio Over Unconstitutional Signature-Matching Procedures for Mail-In Ballots
Lack of Standardization Puts Thousands at Risk of Having Their Ballots Illegally Rejected
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Ohio, and Lawyers’ Committee filed a federal lawsuit today challenging Ohio’s flawed system of matching voter signatures on absentee ballots and absentee ballot applications. The case was filed on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Ohio, the A. Philip Randolph Institute of Ohio, Read more…
Voting Rights
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07.29.20
ACLU of Ohio: Columbus Police Officer Who Pepper Sprayed Peaceful Protester in 2017 is Not Entitled to Qualified Immunity
Cincinnati, OH – Today, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in Abdur-Rahim v Columbus, a case challenging a Columbus Police officer who used excessive force against a peaceful protester during a political demonstration in 2017. ACLU attorney Elizabeth Bonham argued that the officer who pepper-sprayed Ellen Abdur-Rahim in the face at pointblank range Read more…
Free Speech, Police Practices
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07.02.20
ACLU of Ohio Urges Secretary LaRose to Diversify ‘Ready for November Task Force’ Which Lacks Representatives from Voting Rights, Disability Access, Re-Entry, and Black and Minority Led Organizations
COLUMBUS— Today the ACLU of Ohio sent a letter to Secretary of State Frank LaRose in regards to the lack of diversity among the members of his Ready for November Task Force, a coalition of Election Officials committed to election preparedness in advance of the General Election. The ACLU is concerned that voting advocates and Read more…
Voting Rights
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07.01.20
SB 3 Finally Passes in Senate; Criminal Justice Advocates Urge House to Immediately Vote on and Pass Crucial Legislation
COLUMBUS— Today the Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 3, sending to the House a bill that will provide more opportunities for Ohioans get treatment for substance abuse rather than sending them to prison. The ACLU of Ohio, Ohio Organizing Collaborative, Ohio Justice and Policy Center, and Policy Matters Ohio issued a joint statement thanking the Read more…
Criminal Justice