Legislation & Advocacy Hub

Our policy and political advocacy work is just one of the ways we advance civil liberties and civil rights in the District. We engage in the legislative process by testifying on bills before the D.C. Council, working in coalition with community partners and impacted communities, and conducting research to further our understanding of the issues most impacting D.C. residents.

We aim to support bills and initiatives that strengthen District residents’ Constitutional rights and civil liberties, and defeat bills that threaten them. Please use the tools and resources below to engage in our advocacy efforts!

Resources and Tools

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Nov 26, 2022

Letter to Chairman Phil Mendelson Regarding the Street Vending Decrminalization Amendment Act

In a letter to the Chairmain of the D.C. Council, Executive Director Monica Hopkins urges the Council to schedule and hold a mark-up on the Street Vending Discrimination Amendment Act, creating a system that...

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Nov 16, 2022

ACLU-DC Testimony before the D.C. Council on the Street Vending Decriminalization Amendment Act and the Sidewalk Vending Zones Amendment Act

The ACLU-DC supports these two bills, and further encourages the decriminalization of unlicensed street vending and reducing police interactions with street vendors—ensuring that vendors can feel safe while...

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Oct 20, 2022

ACLU-DC Testifies on The Eliminating Restrictive and Segregated Enclosures (“ERASE”) Solitary Confinement Act

ACLU-D.C. is committed to ending the practice of solitary confinement, which demands confronting inequities in the criminal justice system and the racial bias driving them.

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Jul 14, 2022

ACLU-DC Testifies in Support of Bill 24-726 – “Enhancing Reproductive Health Protections Amendment Act of 2022” and Bill 24-808 – “Human Rights Sanctuary Act of 2022”

With a lack of D.C. statehood and the upcoming midterm elections, time is of the essence to protect abortion access in the District before a new Congress is seated.

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Apr 18, 2022

ACLU-DC Testifies before the D.C. Council on Bill 24-237, the "Clean Hands" law

Debt-based license suspensions throw drivers into a cycle of poverty. B24-237 is an example of policy that reflects the economic reality of District residents—many of whom are continuing to survive a pandemic...

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Mar 30, 2022

ACLU-DC Testifies at the Budget Oversight Hearing for The Metropolitan Police Department

"District leaders must confront their biases, break the cycle, and use this critical moment to prioritize investment in prevention, community-based violence interruption and trauma services, school-based...

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