ACLU Supporter, over these past weeks, protests have grown swiftly and powerfully – as calls for an end to police violence against Black people reverberate loudly in cities across the country.

At the same time, we've seen a full-scale assault on our constitutional rights. Those speaking out against police brutality have only been met with more police brutality. And law enforcement continues to violently and unlawfully target journalists covering the demonstrations.

Make no mistake: The ACLU is not allowing these actions to go unanswered. We've put together a brief timeline of these efforts below – so you can see how we're fighting back:

• Last Wednesday, the ACLU of Minnesota filed a lawsuit on behalf of journalists who were targeted and attacked by police for covering protests over the killing of George Floyd. This was the first of our many lawsuits to hold police accountable for the flagrant attacks on journalists covering protests across the country.
• One day later, our D.C. affiliate and allies sued President Trump, Attorney General Barr, and numerous other federal officials on behalf of Black Lives Matter D.C. for firing tear gas and other weapons on protesters in front of the White House.
• That same week, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti backed down on a curfew that restricted the right to protest 24 hours after the ACLU of Southern California sued. Similarly, multiple counties in Northern California rescinded or scaled back their curfew orders after our Northern California affiliate stepped in.
• This Monday, with the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Philando Castile, and Michael Brown, we sent a letter to the United Nations asking for an investigation of police killings of Black people and violent attacks on protesters in the United States.
• Three days ago, the ACLU of Washington and allies sued the Seattle Police Department to immediately halt the use of tear gas and other weapons on protesters, continuing our efforts to defend the right to protest for all of us.
• Now, we continue the fight, pursuing more legal actions to stop police brutality against protesters, organizers, and journalists nationwide. We also continue to join the larger fight in racial justice, demanding divestment from police and reinvestment in the Black communities they unjustly target. And through it all, we're making sure everyone taking to the streets now knows the risks and their rights.

Remember, it is your First Amendment right to protest against police brutality and racist violence. As we work nonstop to defend those rights and the rights of our press bearing witness – we'll be sure to keep you updated on the ongoing fight as events continue to unfold.

Thank you for being a part of the crucial work to defend civil liberties – in this moment and always.

Sincerely,

The ACLU Team