2024 Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT: Writer: Neydin Milián. Designer: Nicole McCann. Contributors: Jenny Trust, Craig Lee, Shaqué Ingram, Dana Vickers Shelley, and Corey Stottlemyer.

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“Our Constitution is a remarkable, beautiful gift. But it’s really just a piece of parchment. It has no power on its own. We, the people, give it power.” –Former President Barack Obama

Dear Friends –

For the past 90 years, we have defended our Constitution and democracy, empowering Marylanders to raise their voices and claim their power. The coming year will be no different. The ACLU of Maryland (ACLU-MD) remains ready to center racial justice, invest in Maryland communities, and challenge government abuses.

Wherever our government initiates state-sponsored police violence, violates the rights of immigrant families and communities, or abuses our freedom of speech, ACLU-MD member-donors and friends will see us: urging people to march in the streets, launching effective lawsuits, and demanding necessary policy changes in Annapolis. Together with directly impacted communities and other partners across Maryland, we WILL defend our democracy and each other.

Moving forward is the only option. There is no other path to a better Maryland. It is difficult to overstate the challenges ahead. Our opponents are well organized and better funded. Yet our impact will be greater. Our spirit and vision are more powerful.

This year, in collaboration with community partners to challenge the exploitation and dehumanization of incarcerated workers, we urged the Fourth Circuit to conclude that the Fair Labor Standards Act (the nation’s leading minimum wage law) may sometimes apply when incarcerated workers work outside of jail walls. We will continue this racial justice advocacy so that the rights of incarcerated Marylanders are respected!

In an important Calvert County victory, we sued when the Calvert County sheriff attached a $12,000 price tag to access records we requested under the Maryland Public Information Act, following a series of disturbing complaints from residents about invasive police searches. Our lawsuit prevailed!

This year, we championed the free speech rights of Towson University students who held a small “die-in” demonstration in support of Palestinians killed by Israel in Gaza and supported their efforts to write their school a letter challenging their mistreatment. In Howard County, we protected the rights of Arab and Muslim students and their parents to speak out against violence in Gaza when their school censored their speech. We urged Howard County school administrators to take measures to protect AMEMSA students from Islamophobia. Response from the school system was swift and conciliatory. In early September, we accompanied the impacted students and families to a meeting with the County School Superintendent, who acknowledged the harms the school system had caused. The Superintendent apologized and committed to healing measures.

Finally, the Civil War-era law that denied control of the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) to its citizens was torn down this election year. Baltimore residents will finally be in the driver’s seat for how BPD is managed. This hard-fought victory is a testament to over a decade of community power and organizing. We are proud of you, friends, allies, and supporters, for never giving up on the dream of a better Maryland. You protect the vision of a Maryland where every person can exercise their rights and have the law value their humanity.

Governmental efforts to shrink democracy are cynical, if not outright authoritarian. Your leadership is a testament to the power of people committed to justice and truth. Thank you for showing up for all of us. Please sign up online to become a member and join us at activities across the state!

With gratitude and in solidarity,

Dana Vickers Shelley
Executive Director
ACLU of Maryland

Corey Stottlemyer
President, Board of Directors
ACLU of Maryland

2024 ACLU of Maryland Annual Report (PDF)