Racial Justice

ACLU-TN works to preserve and extend constitutionally-guaranteed civil liberties and civil rights to people who have historically been denied their rights on the basis of race and ethnicity. ACLU-TN fights to stop discrimination and to ensure equal opportunities for communities of color.

A black male protestor speaks into a megaphone

ACLU-TN works to preserve and extend constitutionally-guaranteed civil liberties and civil rights to people who have historically been denied their rights on the basis of race and ethnicity. From advancing voting rights and criminal justice reform to combatting racial profiling, selective enforcement of drug laws, and the school-to-prison pipeline, ACLU-TN fights to stop discrimination based on race and ethnicity and to ensure equal opportunities for communities of color.

The Latest

Press Release
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Plaintiffs file federal suit to overturn Tennessee’s Aggravated Prostitution statute

Tennessee’s Aggravated Prostitution statute and related sex offender registration requirements are unconstitutional and violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), according to our federal lawsuit filed against the state.
Press Release
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ACLU-TN Statement on “Obscene” Books Bill Being Sent to Summer Study

Press Release
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ACLU-TN Urges Veto of Bill Chilling Discussion of Race, Gender, LGBTQ Issues in Higher Ed

The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee today sent a letter to Governor Bill Lee urging him to veto SB 2290/HB 2670, which would chill discussions about race, gender, and LGBTQ issues in Tennessee’s public colleges and universities.
Press Release
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Court Case
May 09, 2019

League of Women Voters of Tennessee v. Hargett

Tennessee saw a surge in voter registrations during the 2018 midterms. Lawmakers passed a measure that creates criminal and civil penalties against those who submit “incomplete” applications. The threat of penalty will chill registration efforts and make ours the only state with such penalties.
Court Case
Jul 25, 2018

Blanchard et al. v. City of Memphis

Court Case
Mar 02, 2017

BLACKLISTED: Memphis Police Surveillance and Kendrick v. Chandler – A Timeline

ACLU-TN has had an ongoing concern over police surveillance of Memphis residents engaging in protected free speech activities for many decades.
Court Case
Apr 18, 2016

Arrests and Handcuffing of Schoolchildren in Rutherford County