News & Commentary

UPDATE: Thanks to your response, the Delaware State Senate voted by a  large majority to pass HB 9 in the final days of the legislative session. This was the “first leg” of the constitutional amendment process. In order for the provisions of HB 9 to become part of the Delaware Constitution, a bill identical to HB 9 must pass in the next General Assembly as well. Thank you for helping take the first steps needed to expand the voting rights of people who were convicted of a felony and paid their debt to society. We look forward to your support again next year. In the mean time, make sure to let your elected representatives know that Delaware deserves expanded participation in our democracy, not restrictions to voting rights.

After almost six years out of the limelight, Delaware’s death penalty system began grabbing headlines again when the state executed Robert Jackson in July of 2011 and Derrick Powell and Leslie Small were sentenced to death in the months following.

The Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League Young Professionals and the Delaware Human Relations Commission sponsored a forum on voting rights in celebration of Black History Month.

2011 has come and gone. The ACLU of Delaware has made great progress, but we are still focused on the future. Thank you for your support this year.

During the week of October 1-8, 2011, thousands of students, parents, educators, and advocates in 13 states will participate in a National Week of Action on School Pushout to promote local and national alternatives to the nation's current zero-tolerance school discipline culture.

Did you know that the U.S. is the ONLY advanced Western democracy that fails to recognize capital punishment as a violation of human rights?

Derek J. Hale was killed by Wilmington police in 2006. His wife sued the police department and settled for $875,000.