Press Releases

Freedom of the press is part of the fabric of our democracy. It acts as a check against government power and a tool for enabling the public to make informed decisions. It’s why we make media relations an essential facet of our work. Our communications team handles all media inquiries.

May 14, 2020

Update on the Petition for Extraordinary Relief Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

In a filing on Wednesday with the Utah Supreme Court, the ACLU of Utah, the Disability Law Center, and the Utah Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers requested voluntary dismissal of the remaining counties from the current lawsuit.
Issue Areas: Prisons & Jails
Mar 26, 2020

PRESS RELEASE: COVID-19 Recommendations for Utah Sheriffs

The ACLU of Utah has called on all sheriffs in Utah to exercise their authority to protect the people who are, will soon become, and who may remain incarcerated during the current pandemic.
Issue Areas: Prisons & Jails
Mar 21, 2020

PRESS RELASE: COVID-19 and the Criminal Justice System in Utah

Therefore, we urge you to partner with local public health experts in developing informed, immediately actionable steps to ensure that public safety and public health are as protected as possible.
Issue Areas: Prisons & Jails
Oct 22, 2019

ACLU of Utah Plaintiffs Granted Major Victory in Weber County Gang Injunction Case

In a recent ruling, the federal District Court for the District of Utah awarded a major victory to Leland McCubbin and Daniel Lucero in a case involving Weber County’s actions in obtaining and serving a so-called gang injunction on them.
Issue Areas: Racial Justice, Criminal Legal System
Jul 08, 2019

ACLU of Utah Statement on Facial Recognition Searches of Utah’s Driver’s License Database by Law Enforcement

Reports that state agencies allowed federal immigration and local law enforcement agents to run thousands of facial recognition searches using Utah’s driver’s license database is concerning to us and should be alarming to anyone who values privacy and due process. 
Jun 20, 2019

Press Statement on Today’s Court Decision in 18-Week Ban Case

This case will ultimately be decided on relevant facts and legal precedent, and both make clear that this ban violates the rights of Utah women.
Issue Areas: Gender Equality
Court Cases: Planned Parenthood Association of Utah v. Miner (2019)
Jun 10, 2019

ACLU of Utah Letter to Heber City About “Pride in the Wasatch Back” Banners

The American Civil Liberties Union of Utah (ACLU of Utah) would like to add our perspective to the public discussion about the “Pride in the Wasatch Back” banners displayed on city lampposts on Heber City’s Main Street.
Issue Areas: First Amendment, LGBTQ+ Equality
May 22, 2019

ACLU of Utah Statement on Utah Attorney General’s Agreement with Liberty Defense to Promote a Security Threat Detection System in Utah

The “airportization of American life,” where everyone is told to expect less privacy and more government surveillance, will erode our Constitutional rights to privacy and protection, and this technology puts us further along that path.
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal System
Apr 18, 2019

Federal Judge Enters Injunction Allowing Abortion After 18 Weeks to Continue in Utah

Today, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, Judge Clark Waddoups entered a preliminary injunction to stop enforcement of H.B. 136, a harmful law that bans abortion after 18 weeks.
Issue Areas: Gender Equality
Court Cases: Planned Parenthood Association of Utah v. Miner (2019)