News & Commentary
Statement on Governor Bullock's Recently Released Directive
Governor's directive on COVID-19 and the criminal legal system is too late, and far too little.
Disability Rights Montana Lawsuit Seeks Immediate Reduction of Incarcerated Individuals to Protect Public Health
Disability Rights Montana today filed an emergency petition asking the Montana Supreme Court to take immediate action to benefit prisoners with disabilities by reducing the number of people who are now in or who will enter Montana’s jails and prisons. The ACLU of Montana, together with the Beck, Amsden and Stalpes law firm filed the petition on behalf of Disability Rights Montana.
In a Victory for Immigrants, Montana Supreme Court Limits Local Arrest Authority
Today, the Montana Supreme Court ruled in favor of Agustin Ramon, who was held by the Lincoln County Detention Center pursuant to a federal immigration detainer. The lawsuit, filed by the ACLU of Montana, ACLU, and Border Crossing Law Firm, effectively ends the ability of state and local police and sheriffs in Montana to hold people based on federal immigration detainers.
The ACLU of Montana Offers Support to State Officials to Safeguard People in the Criminal Justice System from COVID-19
The ACLU of Montana contacted Governor Bullock and Montana Department of Corrections Director Michael last week urging them to develop plans to protect some of Montana’s most vulnerable population from COVID-19 – the people in our prisons and jails, and those involved in the criminal justice system. Today, the organization, along with partner organizations, urged the Governor, Director Michael, and representatives from every part of the criminal legal system to prioritize releasing people who are vulnerable and, as much as possible, end new incarcerations, revocations from supervision, and other activities that make social distancing impossible. Read the letter.
In the Time of Coronavirus, Montana Must Protect the Health of Those in its Custody
On March 12, we sent a letter to Governor Bullock and the Director of the Montana Department of Corrections, Reginald Michael, urging them to immediately develop evidence-based and proactive plans for the prevention and management of COVID-19 in the Montana Department of Corrections and county jails in Montana.
Court Rejects Government’s Request to Throw Out Lawsuit on Behalf of U.S. Citizens Detained for Speaking Spanish
On May 16, 2018, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent illegally detained Ana Suda and Martha “Mimi” Hernandez in Havre, Montana. Captured on video, the agent’s stated reason for detaining them was because they were speaking Spanish.
New Keystone XL Lawsuit: Montana’s Response to Anticipated Protests in Question
Montana agencies are withholding public documents possible about Keystone XL pipeline protest preparations.Today, the ACLU of Montana, Western Environmental Law Center, and the Bahr Law Offices challenged two Montana state agencies’ refusal to release public records relating to the Keystone XL Pipeline. The documents in question pertain to the government’s plans in response to protests. The ACLU is concerned that such plans may include spying on protesters, suppressing constitutionally protected free speech rights, and responding with militarized police tactics.
ACLU of Montana's Top Ten of 2019!
2019 brought a lot of battles to the courts, another legislative session, and more people on the ground in the fight for Indigenous justice, against the criminalization of poverty, and upholding rights for all. As the year comes to a close, we want to thank you for being part of the ACLU of Montana!
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