News & Commentary about Rights of Protesters

The ACLU works in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and the laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country.

A student holds up a placard reading 'Education needs free speech' while attending a march.

Sep 11, 2025

Free Speech At Risk in America’s Schools

Facade of the Columbia University Library with the ALMA MATER statue in the foreground.

Mar 20, 2025

A Statement from Constitutional Law Scholars on Columbia

Pro-Palestinian protesters sing in the ongoing student encampment of pro-Palestinian supporters in the University Yard at George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Jan 10, 2025

We're Fighting Back Against Efforts to Intimidate Professors into Silence

Loren Khogali, the executive director at the ACLU of Michigan, and Razi Jafri, a Detroit-based documentary filmmaker and producer joined Kamau in conversation on stage for the Know Your Rights bus tour.

Oct 15, 2024

At Liberty Live with W. Kamau Bell: Detroit’s Activist Roots - Engaging Communities in the Fight for Justice

Pro-Palestinian supporters set up a protest encampment on the campus of Columbia University in New York as seen on April 22, 2024

May 8, 2024

Special Edition: What We're Seeing at Campus Anti-War Protests

Students gather at the University of Washington's Red Square to show solidarity in response to recent Hamas attacks and the ongoing Middle East tensions. Hundreds of people who support Palestine gathered at the Red Square of the University of Washington on Thursday afternoon. They passionately cheered for a speaker, clapped and played drums together in a show of unity during a protest called "day of resistance protest for Palestine." Jewish students on campus also shared their concerns and fears amidst this display of support.

Dec 7, 2023

The Unconstitutional Silencing of Pro-Palestinian Student Groups

A protester holdng a sign stating "Forest Defense =/ Domestic Terrorism" demands the end of planned construction of Atlanta's proposed police training facility, "Cop City" to save the Weelaunee Forest.

Sep 21, 2023

RICO and Domestic Terrorism Charges Against Cop City Activists Send a Chilling Message

An individual with a sweatshirt featuring faces of the many victims of police violence.

Jul 13, 2023

10 Years of #BlackLivesMatter: Progress and Backlash

A protestor wearing a t shirt that says No Cop City.

Mar 24, 2023

How Officials in Georgia are Suppressing Political Protest as ‘Domestic Terrorism’

Protestors being led by a man playing a guitar, followed by women holding signs saying" THE RIGHT TO BOYCOTT", and "BOYCOTT UNTIL THE SIEGE ON GAZA ENDS".

Oct 20, 2022

It’s Time to Reaffirm Our First Amendment Right to Boycott