Our Recent Work

As the leading civil rights organization in our state, we at the ACLU of Iowa believe it is our duty to keep the public informed about the state of their civil liberties. The work we do at the legislature, in the courts, and in our communities is important, but there is no better defender of civil rights than a public that is informed and engaged.

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Mar 8, 2023

Johnston Student Wins Our Mannheimer Youth Advocacy Award

Waverly is being honored for leading student protests and school board advocacy efforts for Johnston Community of Racial Equity (CORE).

Jan 13, 2023

From the Archives: Defending the Right to Strike

In 1938, what was then called the Iowa Civil Liberties Union helped defend the right to strike for Maytag workers.

Nov 3, 2022

Transgender Youth in Iowa: The Hansons, Des Moines

Holly Hanson poses this question to anti-trans politicians: "Who are you, someone who doesn’t even know us, to tell my family what is best for us, for our child?"

Nov 3, 2022

Transgender Youth in Iowa: The Fuquas, Ames

Jaiden has known ever since he was a young child that he wasn't cisgender "but I didn't have a vocabulary for it." Now 18, he is transitioning physically.

Aug 29, 2022

Transgender Youth in Iowa: The Christiasons, Cedar Falls

Ben, 24, was the first openly transgender student at Cedar Falls High and ran boys' cross country. He started physically transitioning at 14 and credits it with possibly saving his life.

Apr 6, 2022

Iowa Cities Should Repeal Bans on Asking for Help

Cities that ban people from asking for help or money in public spaces are violating free speech and criminalizing poverty.