ACLU of West Virginia

Registration is now OPEN for the Our Voice, Our Power Summit. This free three-day event brings together young Black people and other young people of color to learn about organizing and building community and resiliency. Link in bio! Empowering and Activating Youth: Equip participants with the tools and knowledge to advocate for issues they care about. Building Community: Foster connections among participants through fun activities, creating joy, and building relationships to create a supportive network. Resource-sharing: Connect youth to resources across the state. Action Planning: Provide resources, workshops, and experiences to help participants identify achievable goals and develop actionable plans to make change.

From Morgantown to Huntington to Charleston to Parkersburg. When Morrisey and Trump come after our rights, we show up to fight back.

Want to help get involved with fighting back against the Bad Idea Factory? Sign up to be a Capitol Watcher with the ACLU of West Virginia today: https://secure.ngpvan.com/PuZ3glow3kKvZseBmTnMeg2

On Monday, we announced that we’re suing the West Virginia Water Development Authority. Here’s why. Back in October, the water authority took $5 million that was earmarked for water infrastructure and economic development and awarded it to a Catholic school in Ohio instead. From the jump, we want to say that there’s a lot about this that we think is inappropriate. It’s inappropriate because tens of thousands of West Virginians lack access to clean drinking water. It’s inappropriate for money to go to outside of West Virginia. It’s inappropriate for the rules not to be followed. But our lawsuit isn’t just about what’s inappropriate. It’s about what’s constitutional. The U.S. Constitution is short and sweet on freedom of religion. It says “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” But what’s important is that our State Constitution couldn’t be clearer on this question. It says that taxpayer dollars cannot be used to support a church or a ministry. The school in questions describes itself as “radically Catholic from top to bottom” and states that its goal is to “create faithful Christians.” The only degree the school confers is in Catholic studies. If you want to study at a Catholic University that’s great. And it’s totally up to you. But taxpayers in this state cannot be forced to support “radically religious” education. Period.

The ACLU of West Virginia joined hundreds of people to rally outside the Supreme Court this week to send a clear message: We will never stop fighting for trans youth.

If you believe “mountaineers are always free” is more than just a catchphrase, voting no on Amendment One is an easy decision. Listen to ACLU-WV Advocacy Director Rusty Williams here representing Death with Dignity as he explains why Amendment One is anything but “pro-life.”

2024 ELECTION PROTECTION HOTLINE: Starting Oct. 23 (the first day of early voting) the hotline will be staffed 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, in addition to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays during early voting. Callers may leave a message if they do not immediately reach a hotline staffer. Messages will be returned promptly. On Election Day, Nov. 5, the hotline will be operational all day 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (or until all polls close).

Early voring has officially begun in West Virginia! Head to GoVoteWV.com to find your polling place so you can beat the crowds before Election Day on November 5.

ACLU-WV Investigative Reporter Kyle Vass breaks down the heated discussion from the proposed “camping ban” ordiannce that took place in Clarksburg, WV last night.

REMINDER: Today is the last day to register to vote in WV for the 2024 Election. Already registered? Head over to GoVoteWV.com to make sure your registration is still active.

Are you regustered to vote? Are you surrre you’re registered to vote?

Justice and Equity Fellow Wynn Johnson reminding you to get registered to vote and show up to the polls in November

Immigrants’ Rights Campaign Coordinator Jackie Lozano after watching the debates last night. Who’s gonna tell her? 🎥: @✨ Caramelito Jax 🌹

Angel, an unhoused resident in Morgantown, tells city council how a ban on sleeping in public won’t solve homelessness and will only makes things worse. Despite dozens of people like Angel asking them not to, council passed the ban in a 4:3 vote. But you can help overturn it. Head to the link our bio to get involved in the effort to repeal this inhumane ordinance.

Morgantown's proposed camping ban isn't just unconscionably cruel, it's ineffective at addressing homelessness. For years, advocates like ACLU-WV's Mollie Kennedy have asked the city to prioritize compassion and evidence-based practices over further expanding the war on poor people. Sadly, we're back here having to make this ask yet again. Please contact Morgantown city councilors and ask them to vote no on this proposed ordinance.