The ACLU of Arkansas is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to protecting and strengthening the civil liberties and rights of all Arkansans. Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, we work tirelessly to ensure justice and equality. Whether we’re challenging unconstitutional laws in court, lobbying lawmakers at the Capitol, or rallying alongside you, we recognize that you have the power to create change.
Arkansas lawmakers are making decisions this legislative session that will directly impact our lives, our communities, and our democracy. It’s our job to hold them accountable. Together, we can advocate for policies that reflect fairness, dignity, and opportunity for all.
This is about our rights, our future, and the Arkansas we want to build. Read more about our legislative priorities in 2025:
Protecting First Amendment Rights
Freedom of speech, assembly, and expression is under attack in Arkansas. Lawmakers have attempted to restrict peaceful protests, censor educators, and limit public discussions on race and gender.
We support:
- Academic freedom and equity in education.
- Protecting the right to protest and peacefully assemble.
We oppose:
- Efforts to censor or criminalize free expression.
- Restrictions on educators discussing race, gender, and history.
Racial Justice and Systemic Equality
Racial discrimination continues to harm immigrants and communities of color across Arkansas. Addressing systemic inequities in education, healthcare, housing, and criminal justice is essential to building a more equitable future.
We support:
- Policies that advance equity and inclusion.
- Addressing disparities in education, healthcare, and housing.
- Protecting immigrants' rights.
We oppose:
- Discriminatory laws and practices that perpetuate inequality.
Reproductive Liberty and Abortion Access
Arkansans should have the freedom to make personal healthcare decisions without interference from politicians. Despite overwhelming public support for reproductive freedom, lawmakers continue to pass restrictions that erode abortion access and reproductive healthcare. Safeguarding these rights is critical for equality, autonomy, and economic security.
We support:
- Expanding access to maternal healthcare.
- Protecting the right to make personal reproductive decisions.
We oppose:
- Politicians making healthcare decisions for people.
- Restrictions on abortion access, including medication abortion and out-of-state travel.
Voter and Election Protection
Voting is fundamental to democracy and must be accessible to all. Arkansas faces barriers to voting that suppress turnout and limit participation. We must ensure free, fair, and accessible elections for everyone.
We support:
- Expanding voter registration opportunities.
- Increasing access to absentee ballots.
We oppose:
- Laws creating unnecessary barriers to voting.
- Attempts to disenfranchise voters under the guise of election security.
LGBTQ Equality and Trans Justice
Every Arkansan deserves dignity, respect, and equal treatment under the law, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Lawmakers continue to target LGBTQ people, particularly transgender Arkansans, with discriminatory policies.
We support:
- Protecting gender-affirming care and healthcare access for all.
- Comprehensive nondiscrimination protections.
We oppose:
- Bills restricting healthcare for trans individuals.
- Efforts to erase LGBTQ representation in schools and public spaces.
Criminal Legal Reform
Arkansas’s criminal legal system is plagued by inequities, overcrowded prisons, and policies that perpetuate systemic injustice. We must prioritize rehabilitation, accountability, and public safety over punitive measures.
We support:
- Reducing incarceration rates through sentencing reform.
- Expanding alternatives to incarceration and community-based programs.
We oppose:
- Policies that exacerbate prison overcrowding.
- Bills criminalizing constitutionally protected behavior.
- The death penalty.
Students’ Rights
Students deserve an education that is safe, inclusive, and empowering. Attacks on the rights of students, particularly LGBTQ and BIPOC students, undermine their ability to learn and thrive.
We support:
- Protecting students’ rights to self-expression and privacy.
- Ensuring access to comprehensive, fact-based education.
We oppose:
-
Curriculum censorship.
- Policies that harm vulnerable student populations.
Take Action
Your voice is critical in shaping Arkansas's future. Visit our Legislative Action Hub to track bills, contact your lawmakers, and join the fight for justice and equity in Arkansas. Together, we can make a difference.
