In times of crisis, it can be difficult to have hope, and the larger the crisis, the more hopeless we might feel. However, we must remember that hope is a muscle. Our consistent practice of hope ensures that our resilience holds firm as we fight back against the advancing authoritarianism of the Trump administration. Building our hope muscle helps us take action toward the future we envision – a more perfect union that includes every one of us.

Here are some highlights of some ways we at the ACLU-D.C. are building our muscle of hope in this moment and some resources you can use to protect civil rights and liberties in D.C.

Lawsuit: Star Wars "Imperial March" Demonstrator Sues

On October 23, we sued on behalf of a D.C. resident who was handcuffed for protesting the National Guard by peacefully walking behind them while playing "The Imperial March" (Darth Vader's theme song from Star Wars) and recording on his phone. The government doesn't get to decide if your protest is funny, and government officials can't punish you for making them the punchline.

Victory: Court Order Protects Ballot Access

When President Trump ordered changes to the federal voter registration form to impose onerous new requirements to register, we sued. On October 31, a federal judge issued an injunction permanently blocking the changes.

Annual Report: Defending Democracy in D.C. and Beyond

Since day one, our message to the Trump administration has been loud and clear: no president is above the law. We filed our first lawsuit of this administration just two days after the inauguration, and we've since taken over 12 legal actions challenging the Trump administration. Our intake program has responded to over 1,000 civil rights and liberties violation complaints from community members, and we've formed stronger relationships with congressional offices for federal support on D.C. issues. Check out our annual report for highlights of our work this year. Thank you so much for your support, which makes it all possible.

Resource: Know Your Rights at School

You don't lose your rights just because you enter a school. Every student in the United States has constitutional and other fundamental rights, though some rights may be limited in school settings. Check out our guide to learn about students' rights under the First Amendment and specific information for immigrant and LGBTQ+ students.

Report: Building Safety Through Resources

This morning, we issued a report that details how District leaders can implement proven solutions that build safety and security. We know what keeps communities safe – solutions that address the root causes of public safety issues and stop crime before it happens. Our report recommends that lawmakers implement and fund proven and effective solutions that support families, youth, and people reentering our communities after incarceration.

Thank you for sticking with us,

ACLU of the District of Columbia