Free State Liberties - Summer 2023

This year marks the fifth anniversary of having our wonderful Executive Director at our affiliate. Dana Vickers Shelley dives into their experiences of activism and her love for the people beside her doing the work. Hear from them as they explain how we are leaning into our mission so we can see lasting change, and how we advocate for the humanity of all Marylanders.

Have you heard that Black residents in Federalsburg are suing their Town after 200 years of no representation in the all-white town council? Seven Black women who live in Federalsburg – Roberta Butler, Sherone Lewis, Darlene Pitt Hammond, Elaine Hubbard, Nikendra Bordley, Ryan Haynes, and Lywanda Johnson were joined by the Caroline County Branch of the NAACP and the Caucus of African American Leaders in asking the court to order into place a new election system that fully addresses longstanding vote dilution.

Read more about the history of disenfranchisement and racism in the town of Federalsburg and how it informs the present.

The ACLU of Maryland’s Know Your Rights (KYR) program informs Marylanders of their rights so they can make informed decisions, be good witnesses when violations occur, and know their options for taking action. Get KYR information about recent marijuana legalization, protesting, your rights during police encounters, rights information for LGBTQ+ students, immigrants and residents, and more.

Thank you for raising your voice in support of ending the police practice of stopping and searching Black Marylanders based on the alleged smell of marijuana, independent investigatory powers for local Police Accountability Boards, voting rights, education equity, and other important priorities.

Read our General Assembly report to catch up on the victories, disappointments, and continued work from the 2023 legislative session.

Have you heard the news about Frederick Sheriff Chuck Jenkins’ recent charges of conspiracy and illegal machine guns? We did and weren’t surprised to find out. Jenkins has made incendiary comments about the Latinx/e community and immigrants through the media and through written and oral testimony that consistently devalues their lives as justification for his office’s discriminatory conduct.

It is obvious that under Sheriff Jenkins, his department has racially profiled the Latine/x community and unfairly targeted immigrants. Now, the Frederick County sheriff is on leave after he was ordered to surrender his service weapon.

Learn why President Joe Biden should end Frederick’s federal 287(g) programs that emboldens racist law enforcement here.

Your personal commitment and strong support will make all the difference in the fight for civil rights.