News & Commentary

The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia (ACLU-WV) is proud of our close relationship with the Islamic Association of West Virginia (IAWV). Our city and our state are brighter, more loving, and more inclusive because of our Muslim neighbors.A recent sermon by a Fairmont hate preacher that was brought to light by our friends at the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) contained numerous false and bigoted accusations. We condemn this kind of rhetoric in no uncertain terms.Across America, we have seen a wave of anti-Muslim hatred in recent years that has resulted in vandalism, discrimination, and even violence. The kind of rhetoric spewed by people like John Polis may be constitutionally protected, but it only fans the flames of this violence.Polis claims that Islam is at odds with American ideals, but it is he who is out of step with the principles of religious tolerance enshrined in our constitution.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A new mural in downtown Charleston will celebrate the lives and many contributions of immigrants to the region.

November 7, 2020

It is likely that we will not know for certain the winner of the presidential election until at least tomorrow, and that is OK.

ACLU-WV and the Network for Public Health Law’s Harm Reduction Legal Project issued the following statement today:

In unprecedented times it’s only natural that we have an unprecedented election.

West Virginia law enforcement agencies must do more to maintain records of police misconduct and violence, and they must take open records laws more seriously, a new report by ACLU-WV has found.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University College of Law students are working with the state’s American Civil Liberties Union to staff its 2020 Election Protection Hotline.

The following op-ed by ACLU-WV Policy Director Eli Baumwell appears in today's edition of the Charleston Gazatte-Mail.