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The following statement can be attributed to Claire Gastañaga, executive director of the ACLU of Virginia:
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia State Senate passed Senate Bill 1165, a death penalty repeal bill, this afternoon. The House Committee on Courts of Justice also voted to advance the bill this morning. The bill is expected to advance quickly to a full vote in the house.
The ACLU of Virginia joined a group of criminal legal reform organizations to send a letter to the Virginia House of Delegates' Appropriations Committee regarding Del. Patrick Hope's HB 2325, which would create independent oversight of the Virginia Department of Corrections (VDOC).
The court dismissed the lawsuit to hold police accountable for violating protesters' rights, denying the protesters a trial on this matter.
Under the agreement, VDOC will adopt a comprehensive, department-wide policy to provide access to interpretation and translation services for people incarcerated in its facilities. In addition, the settlement provides relief for the plaintiff, Nicolas Reyes.
Today, the ACLU of Virginia, the League of Women Voters of Virginia, the Williamsburg League of Women Voters, NoLefturns, Bridging the Gap Virginia, Neighborhood Law Center, Inc, and the Institute of Forgiveness sent the Governor of Virginia Ralph Northam a letter asking him to support