Racial Justice

Black and white photo of a person in a coat and hat holding a sign that says "Black lives matter." The graphic is in front of a maroon background.

The ACLU of Minnesota is committed to combating racism in all of its forms. Our advocacy in this area includes litigation, community organizing and training, legislative initiatives, and public education.

The ACLU-MN seeks to extend constitutionally guaranteed rights to people and communities who have historically been denied their rights on the basis of race. The significance of racial justice cannot be overstated in Minnesota.

The disparity in arrests, incarceration and sentencing of persons of color is well documented and alarming. We have experienced recent and painful examples of police violence directed at the African-American community. As a state, Minnesota has far too often responded to certain issues in communities of color as problems that can be fixed only by harsh policing instead of seeking to resolve issues through careful, thoughtful analysis, with community engagement and appropriate allocation of resources.

Racial justice includes criminal justice reform and policing reform, as well as eliminating inequities in housing, education, employment, healthcare, community and economic development, and other areas. Our current strategic priority for racial justice focuses on criminal justice reform and policing reform, but we will collaborate with other organizations that focus on other aspects of racial justice.

The Latest

Press Release
Thelma Jones helped change a discriminatory rental housing ordinance.

ACLU Wins Settlement to End Housing Discrimination Case

The American Civil Liberties Union and ACLU of Minnesota have settled a lawsuit with the city of Faribault over its unconstitutional and discriminatory housing rental ordinance, which encouraged landlords to discriminate and limited housing opportunities for people of color.
Issue Areas: Racial Justice
Press Release
Red background with white lettering reading: ACLU Minnesota Breaking News.

Black People Five Times More Likely to Get Arrested for Marijuana in Minnesota

The American Civil Liberties Union released a new report today that shows Black people are 5.4 times more likely than white people to be arrested for marijuana possession in Minnesota, despite comparable usage rates.  
Press Release
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ACLU-MN Releases Study to Sharply Reduce Mass Incarceration

Press Release
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ACLU-MN Team, Executive Director Named "Minnesota Lawyer Attorneys of the Year”

Court Case
Oct 29, 2018

Promvongsa v. Joe Joswiak et al

Court Case
Jun 01, 2017

Cruz-Guzman v. State of Minnesota

Court Case
Aug 09, 2007

Berg v. DEA

Court Case
Oct 06, 2008

Croud v. Duluth