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.

Filter News
Sep 6, 2021

Iowa Parents File Lawsuit to Allow Schools to Require Masks 

Student Rights
Eleven parents and an Iowa disability rights organization have filed a lawsuit to get a ban on mask mandates in schools struck down.
Eleven parents and an Iowa disability rights organization have filed a lawsuit to get a ban on mask mandates in schools struck down.
Charmaine Alexander
Charmaine Alexander
Apr 23, 2021

Iowa Medicaid Must Provide Gender-Affirming Surgery

LGBTQ Rights
Our Medicaid system should treat everyone, including transgender Iowans, equally and fairly.
Our Medicaid system should treat everyone, including transgender Iowans, equally and fairly.
Mika Covington, Aiden Vasquez
Mika Covington, Aiden Vasquez
Mar 17, 2021

Why Iowa Must Ban Traffic Cameras

Traffic cameras are all about generating money, with unfair ticketing practices that have little to do with safety.
Traffic cameras are all about generating money, with unfair ticketing practices that have little to do with safety.
traffic camera, speed camera
traffic camera, speed camera
Feb 22, 2021

What Is It About Traffic Cameras?

Many Iowans support traffic cameras because of the claim that they will improve traffic safety. But for folks all across the state--and...

Many Iowans support traffic cameras because of the claim that they will improve traffic safety. But for folks all across the state--and...

Jan 6, 2021

Body Cameras Must Be Used with Strong Policies

Body cameras have the potential to provide desperately needed public oversight of police in order to curb police abuses, but their use must be accompanied by strong, clear policies to govern their use, data...

Body cameras have the potential to provide desperately needed public oversight of police in order to curb police abuses, but their use must be accompanied by strong, clear policies to govern their use, data...

Police officer with a body camera
Police officer with a body camera
Dec 11, 2020

Iowa State Capitol Ban on Des Moines BLM Protesters Blocked

In an important win for free speech and the Black Lives Matter movement, a federal district court ruled that the state can't enforce its ban of five Des Moines BLM protesters from the Iowa Capitol Complex...

In an important win for free speech and the Black Lives Matter movement, a federal district court ruled that the state can't enforce its ban of five Des Moines BLM protesters from the Iowa Capitol Complex...

Jalesha Johnson, Brandi Ramus, Brad Penna, Haley Dikkers, capitol ban lawsuit
Jalesha Johnson, Brandi Ramus, Brad Penna, Haley Dikkers, capitol ban lawsuit