As the 2025 legislative session barrels forward, Arkansans are witnessing a wave of bills that threaten to erode the rights and freedoms we all hold dear. We’re holding the line — pushing back against harmful proposals and standing firm in defense of civil liberties. From attacks on voting rights to efforts to censor our libraries, we’re deep in the trenches, fighting for justice every day.
Here’s what we’re seeing — and why it matters.
What’s at Stake?
The Right to Vote and Direct Democracy
Lawmakers are attempting to make it harder for everyday Arkansans to vote and to engage in ballot initiatives. These efforts directly conflict with our state motto, Regnat Populus — the people rule — and instead aim to silence the voice of the people.
Mass Incarceration and Prison Expansion
New prison appropriations are fueling the growth of mass incarceration, disproportionately impacting Black and brown Arkansans and people from low-income communities. These policies do nothing to address root causes — they only deepen existing injustice.
Racial Justice Under Fire
Legislation aimed at eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, censoring educational content, and reinforcing inequitable policing practices is worsening systemic racism rather than working to dismantle it.
Immigrant Rights on the Line
Proposed laws would limit access to critical services for immigrant families and criminalize those who offer support — endangering lives and tearing at the fabric of our communities.
Trans and LGBTQ Rights
Legislators continue to target the rights of LGBTQ Arkansans — especially trans individuals — by attempting to restrict healthcare access, public accommodations, and fundamental freedoms.
Libraries and the Freedom to Read
There is a coordinated push to censor books and punish librarians. These efforts threaten intellectual freedom and chill open access to information — the bedrock of a democratic society.
Reproductive Freedom and Government Transparency
Restrictions on reproductive healthcare are intensifying, while transparency in government is simultaneously under attack. The result? Less access, less oversight, and more harm.
Christian Nationalism and Government Overreach
A growing number of proposals aim to enshrine Christian Nationalist ideology into law — blurring the line between church and state and infringing on religious freedom. These measures seek to inject a singular religious view into our schools, laws, and public institutions.
Capital Punishment
New legislation would expand the death penalty — including for crimes not previously eligible, like rape — and introduce a new method of execution: nitrogen suffocation. These bills raise profound human rights and constitutional concerns and reflect a disturbing escalation in punitive policy.
These bills are not isolated. They are part of a coordinated effort to concentrate power, restrict rights, and marginalize already vulnerable communities — while empowering the few at the expense of the many.
What Can You Do?
- Stay Informed: We’re tracking every bill that threatens our civil rights. Stay up to date by following our updates and action alerts.
- Take Action: Make your voice heard. Contact your legislators, speak out against harmful bills, and support organizations that are fighting for justice.
- Support Our Work: Join us by donating or volunteering to strengthen our efforts.
We believe in an Arkansas where everyone’s rights are protected — no matter who they are, where they come from, or how they live or worship. This state belongs to all of us. And with your help, we’ll keep fighting to make sure it stays that way.
Join us on the frontlines — because freedom can’t defend itself.
