Happy New Year! As we embark on 2025, we extend our deep gratitude to you for your dedication and support. Thanks to you, we celebrated numerous victories and moments of significant impact in 2024, and we're working to maintain this momentum in the new year.
Reflecting on a Monumental 2024
Last year was a landmark year for the ACLU of Arkansas. As our affiliate celebrated its 55th year, we traveled across the state, engaging communities through over 30 diverse events. From democracy in action at the Bowen Law School Voting Symposium to cultural celebrations like the Central Arkansas Library System's Day of the Dead event, we stood for justice, equity, and inclusion at every turn.
Our advocacy efforts bore fruit in several critical areas:
- Expanded Team and Language Access: We welcomed new team members and enhanced our outreach by translating key resources and better resourcing BIPOC communities.
- Voter Engagement and Legal Victories: We facilitated voter registration across Arkansas and assisted Arkansas voters through the Election Protection hotline. We achieved significant legal victories, including striking down a law that would have infringed on First Amendment rights by prohibiting petitioning in public spaces.
- Advocacy at Conferences and Trainings: We strengthened our advocacy through strategic conferences and comprehensive training sessions, enhancing our team's capabilities and our community's engagement.
Our work in 2024 underscored our commitment to each corner of Arkansas, celebrating every victory along the way, from advocacy for juvenile justice reform to supporting transgender people against discriminatory policies.
A Testament to Intellectual Freedom and Community Courage
In late December, we scored a crucial victory for intellectual freedom when a federal district court struck down unconstitutional provisions of Arkansas's censorship law, Act 372. This decision safeguards our libraries as sanctuaries of free expression and ensures ongoing access to diverse literature, affirming our relentless defense of the First Amendment. We extend our appreciation and admiration to courageous plaintiffs Hayden Kirby, Olivia Farrell, Leta Caplinger, the Central Arkansas Library System, Fayetteville Public Library, Eureka Springs Carnegie Library, various individual librarians and readers, Arkansas Library Association (ArLA), Advocates for All Arkansas Libraries, Freedom to Read Foundation, Inc., several bookstores and publishing associations, and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund for their roles in upholding First Amendment rights and the freedom to learn in Arkansas.
New Legal Challenge: Defending the Right to Record
The ACLU of Arkansas has also taken a strong stand against abuses of power with our recent lawsuit filed against Arkansas State Police Sergeant Dakotah Bailey. This action stems from an incident at War Memorial Stadium during the Benton-Bryant Salt Bowl football game, where Sergeant Bailey unlawfully seized Ms. De'Jarnette Johnson's cell phone, preventing her from recording a police action. This lawsuit asserts violations of Ms. Johnson's First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights, emphasizing our commitment to defending the rights of all people against unreasonable searches, seizures, and the suppression of free speech.
2025: The Road Ahead
As we look forward, our focus remains sharp on several priority areas:
- Racial justice, systemic equality, and protecting Arkansas' immigrants.
- Voter and election protection.
- Reproductive liberty and abortion access.
- LGBTQ equality and trans justice.
- Protecting First Amendment Rights, transparency, and the fundamentals of democracy.
- Students' rights.
- Public education and know your rights initiatives.
This year, we kick off with vigilant monitoring of bills in the 95th General Assembly, convening on Monday, January 13. We are committed to advocating for fair and just legislation that aligns with our mission to uphold civil liberties for every Arkansan.
Upcoming Lobby Days
Join us at the Arkansas State Capitol on Monday, February 24, and Monday, March 17, to advocate for policies that reflect our shared values. Your voice is crucial in these discussions! More details for lobby days will be announced soon. Please stand ready to reach out to lawmakers and elected officials.
The Work Ahead
In just the first quarter of 2025, we're hosting a DACA and Citizenship Clinic, engaging the community through listening sessions, expanding and translating our Know Your Rights resources for immigrants, and representing Arkansas at the ACLU's Southern Collective Convening in Alabama this March.
We are profoundly grateful to work alongside the best people in Arkansas – our dedicated donors, volunteers, supporters, clients, and community partners. Your monetary contributions, time, talent, and hard work are invaluable. We encourage everyone to deepen their involvement with the ACLU of Arkansas through our new volunteer form.
Here's to a powerful and promising 2025. Together, let's continue to champion the rights and liberties of all Arkansans.