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The ACLU of Virginia is the leading champion of civil liberties in the Commonwealth. We want to keep you informed about the work we do in the legislature, in the courts, and in the community. We'll also give you our take on issues affecting people in neighborhoods throughout the state.
William Thorpe has spent nearly 24 straight years in solitary confinement in Virginia prisons stuck in a cell about half of the size of a parking space for more than 22 hours a day, every day, with no outside light and almost no human contact.
I’ve been empowered by using my personal story to effect change. In this position, I want to work in collaboration with other organizations already in the field to build a campaign centered around the experience and voices of those directly impacted by the criminal justice system at every level.
Trying to prosecute our way out of drug problems is an expensive and ineffective approach to the public health crisis we are facing. Virginia should focus on what works to save lives, including safe reporting laws, better and more widely available treatment programs, and stigma-free services.
As the ACLU of Virginia’s first legislative director, I hope to continue to create thoughtful and proactive legislative agendas in partnership with marginalized communities to protect and expand civil liberties for everyone.
Instead of protecting and serving, it violated and abused the privacy rights of the people of Fairfax County. The department’s lack of respect for the privacy of the community it serves should be a cautionary tale for other law enforcement agencies looking to preserve both safety and freedom.
We all know the story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the intrepid former ACLU lawyer who blazed a trail for gender equity all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
