At Liberty is a podcast that explores the most pressing civil rights and civil liberties questions of our time. New episodes air biweekly on Fridays.
episodes
September 3, 2020
Why Evicting Millions During a Pandemic is Bad for Our Democracy
As the COVID-19 pandemic stretches on, people across the country face the economic devastation left in its wake. Along with staggering unemployment numbers, millions of renters now face eviction — a situation made even more dire by the global health crisis. Congress responded by instating an eviction moratorium for more...
Why Evicting Millions During a Pandemic is Bad for Our Democracy
September 3, 2020
Why Evicting Millions During a Pandemic is Bad for Our Democracy
Why Evicting Millions During a Pandemic is Bad for Our DemocracyAs the COVID-19 pandemic stretches on, people across the country face the economic devastation left in its wake. Along with staggering unemployment numbers, millions of renters now face eviction — a situation made even more...
August 26, 2020
A Not So Happy Meal: McDonald's Can't Fix America's Race Problem
The golden arches. The happy meal. These are phrases that immediately mean something to most Americans. In fact, with more than 36,000 restaurants in 100 countries, McDonald's may well be one of the most recognizable brands in the world. But today, we're focusing on a much lesser known side of...
A Not So Happy Meal: McDonald's Can't Fix America's Race Problem
August 26, 2020
A Not So Happy Meal: McDonald's Can't Fix America's Race Problem
A Not So Happy Meal: McDonald's Can't Fix America's Race ProblemThe golden arches. The happy meal. These are phrases that immediately mean something to most Americans. In fact, with more than 36,000 restaurants in 100 countries, McDonald's may well be one of the most recognizable...
August 13, 2020
The Black Women Behind the Ongoing Fight for Suffrage
We’re coming up on the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment which was ratified on August 18th, 1920 and then certified eight days later. The 19th Amendment inked women’s suffrage into American history, a culminating moment in an effort to win political power. But the ordained heroes of women’s suffrage...
The Black Women Behind the Ongoing Fight for Suffrage
August 13, 2020
The Black Women Behind the Ongoing Fight for Suffrage
The Black Women Behind the Ongoing Fight for SuffrageWe’re coming up on the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment which was ratified on August 18th, 1920 and then certified eight days later. The 19th Amendment inked women’s suffrage into American history, a culminating...
June 11, 2020
Policing the Press: A Journalist on the Frontlines
Journalists covering protests against police brutality across the country are facing an influx of violence, suppression efforts, and arrests by police. According to The U.S. Press Freedom tracker, there have been over 300 claims of violations to press freedoms since the protests began. These violations include being assaulted with pepper...
Policing the Press: A Journalist on the Frontlines
June 11, 2020
Policing the Press: A Journalist on the Frontlines
Policing the Press: A Journalist on the FrontlinesJournalists covering protests against police brutality across the country are facing an influx of violence, suppression efforts, and arrests by police. According to The U.S. Press Freedom tracker, there have been over 300 claims of...
June 4, 2020
Why is it so hard to hold police accountable?
Police are supposed to “protect and serve” the community, but that’s a far cry from what modern-day policing often looks like in our country. The recent murders of Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, George Floyd, and others highlight the need for drastic systemic change, yet again. ACLU Policing Policy Advisor Paige...
Why is it so hard to hold police accountable?
June 4, 2020
Why is it so hard to hold police accountable?
Why is it so hard to hold police accountable?Police are supposed to “protect and serve” the community, but that’s a far cry from what modern-day policing often looks like in our country. The recent murders of Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, George Floyd, and...
April 22, 2020
Centering Racial Equity in the Fight to Legalize Marijuana
Public opinion on marijuana legalization has shifted in recent years—roughly two-thirds of all Americans are now in favor of national legalization, according to a recent Pew Research Study. However, a new ACLU report called "A Tale of Two Countries: Racially Targeted Arrests in the Era of Marijuana Reform,” shows that...
Centering Racial Equity in the Fight to Legalize Marijuana
April 22, 2020
Centering Racial Equity in the Fight to Legalize Marijuana
Centering Racial Equity in the Fight to Legalize MarijuanaPublic opinion on marijuana legalization has shifted in recent years—roughly two-thirds of all Americans are now in favor of national legalization, according to a recent Pew Research Study. However, a new ACLU report called "A...
August 29, 2019
A Former Prosecutor's 'Radical Thoughts' on the System Set Up to Control Black Men
This week, we’re replaying an interview from earlier this year with Paul Butler, a scholar, former prosecutor and the author of "Chokehold: Policing Black Men." When we first spoke with Paul, his book had been banned in Arizona prisons. Arizona has since lifted its ban, and incarcerated people in Arizona...
A Former Prosecutor's 'Radical Thoughts' on the System Set Up to Control Black Men
August 29, 2019
A Former Prosecutor's 'Radical Thoughts' on the System Set Up to Control Black Men
A Former Prosecutor's 'Radical Thoughts' on the System Set Up to Control Black MenThis week, we’re replaying an interview from earlier this year with Paul Butler, a scholar, former prosecutor and the author of "Chokehold: Policing Black Men." When we first spoke with Paul, his book had been...
June 13, 2019
Why It's Time to Talk About Reparations
As discussions about racism in America gain traction, so too does the question of reparations. Broadly defined as some form of repayment for the harms inflicted on enslaved peoples and their descendants, reparations have earned increased visibility thanks to advocacy by the National African-American Reparations Commission and other groups. The...
Why It's Time to Talk About Reparations
As discussions about racism in America gain traction, so too does the question of reparations. Broadly defined as some form of repayment for the harms inflicted on enslaved peoples and their descendants, reparations have earned...
May 16, 2019
School Segregation 65 Years After Brown v. Board
May 17 marks the 65th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the 1954 Supreme Court case that declared state laws enforcing racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. Yet more than six decades later, segregation in some public school systems is worse than ever. Dr. Ansley Erickson, associate professor of...
School Segregation 65 Years After Brown v. Board
May 16, 2019
School Segregation 65 Years After Brown v. Board
School Segregation 65 Years After Brown v. BoardMay 17 marks the 65th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the 1954 Supreme Court case that declared state laws enforcing racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. Yet more than six decades later, segregation...