ACLU of Missouri’s Tori Schafer Named Lawyer of the Year for Championing Reproductive Rights Initiative

Jefferson City, Mo. – The ACLU of Missouri’s Tori Schafer has been named Lawyer of the Year by Missouri Lawyers Media. Schafer will be recognized alongside fellow attorneys Chris Grant of Schuchat, Cook & Werner, and Charles Hatfield of Stinson at the upcoming Annual Missouri Lawyers Awards scheduled for February 13. Schafer, currently the Director of Policy and Campaigns at the ACLU of Missouri, played a pivotal role in ensuring the passage of Amendment 3. Her efforts involved not only leading successful legal battles to maintain the amendment on the ballot but also serving as … Read more

ACLU Sues After Arkansas Library Director Fired for Fighting Book Censorship

Saline County, Ark. — In a striking assertion of First Amendment rights, Patty Hector, the former library director of Saline County, along with the ACLU of Arkansas, have initiated a federal lawsuit against county officials. The suit claims Hector was terminated from her position in retaliation for her vocal opposition to what she perceived as censorship efforts within the public library system. Hector’s dismissal occurred in October 2023, directly following a period of heated public discourse that centered around the contents of the library’s children’s section. Earlier in the year, the Saline County Quorum Court … Read more

Knoxville Attorney Highlights Legal Concerns Over New Immigration Legislation; ACLU Prepares for Legal Battle

Knoxville, TN — As the legislature passes a controversial immigration bill in Tennessee, it has rapidly caught the attention of rights groups, labeling it as a potential constitutional violation. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has already announced intentions to legally challenge the bill, reinforcing concerns over its alignment with constitutional standards. Legal experts in the region, including several from Knoxville, have raised their voices about the bill’s contentious clauses, suggesting that certain provisions may infringe on individual rights as protected by the U.S. Constitution. This backlash is not just from activists but also comes … Read more

Judge Approves Settlement in ACLU Lawsuit to Protect Noncitizen Spouses During Citizenship Process

Boston, MA — A Massachusetts judge has recently given the green light to a significant legal settlement related to a high-profile immigration lawsuit initiated by the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. This decision marks a pivotal moment for many noncitizen spouses embroiled in the U.S. immigration system. At the heart of the lawsuit was Lilian Calderon, a Rhode Island woman originally from Guatemala, brought to the U.S. at the tender age of three. Her case gained national attention when, in 2018, she was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a marriage interview—a … Read more