Racial Justice

While the law provides equal opportunity in theory, it is too often denied in fact.

Racial Justice

What you need to know

Pittsburgh's Department of Justice Decree (1996-1997)

ACLU-PA, NAACP, and Parents Against Violence filed a lawsuit against the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for police misconduct.

Stop-and-frisk challenges (2010)

ACLU-PA and the law firm of Kairys, Rudovsky, Messing & Feinberg filled a federal class action on November 4, 2010, on behalf of eight African American and Latino men who were stopped by Philadelphia police officers solely on the basis of their race and ethnicity.

Voter ID Law (2011-2012)

ACLU-PA joins and leads opposition to a restrictive Voter ID law in legislation and in court. The law was ruled unconstitutional.

Though generations of civil rights activism have led to important gains in legal, political, social, employment, educational and other spheres, the forced removal of indigenous peoples and the enslavement of those of African descent marked the beginnings of a system of racial injustice from which our nation has yet to break free.

While the law provides equal opportunity in theory, it is too often denied in fact. The ACLU aims to preserve and extend constitutionally guaranteed rights to people who have historically been denied their rights on the basis of race or ethnicity.

The Latest


News & Commentary
Photo of scales of justice and a judge's gavel

Pennsylvania legislators must act on felony murder and funding public defenders

Two significant reforms to the Pennsylvania criminal legal system were ignored by our legislature during the latest budget debate, even though they provided an opportunity to make our commonwealth fairer and more just while saving taxpayers tens of millions of dollars every year.
News & Commentary
photo of Lady Liberty

Injustice happens in a moment. Accountability takes time.

In December of 2020, a McKeesport police officer was shot while in pursuit of a suspect. The suspect was an individual who was well-known to McKeesport police. As they called in reinforcements from other police departments across the county, McKeesport police began an aggressive manhunt that intentionally and unconstitutionally targeted and terrorized Black residents.
Press Release
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McKeesport Residents Win Settlement in ACLU-PA Lawsuit Over Police Misconduct

The city of McKeesport and its police department have agreed to settle a lawsuit over the violation of numerous Black residents’ Fourth Amendment rights and the Pennsylvania Constitution during a police search for a shooting suspect.
Press Release
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Montgomery County Reforms Probation and Parole System Following ACLU Lawsuit

The decision to end the lawsuit comes as Montgomery County has made meaningful progress in reforming its probation and parole revocation system.

Cases, Campaigns & Legislation


Legislation
Oct 17, 2025

SB 912 | Pre-conviction DNA collection

Position: Oppose
Legislation
Mar 31, 2025

HB 439 | CROWN Act

Position: Support
Legislation
Jun 25, 2024

SB 988 | Pre-conviction DNA collection

Position: Oppose
Legislation
Jun 24, 2024

SB 1031 | Licensing reform for natural hair braiders

Position: Support