Fighting for Freedom: 2025 in Review and the Road Ahead

The ACLU of Arkansas is fighting for fundamental freedoms, democracy, transparency, and accountability. Every day, we confront the rise of authoritarianism and work toward a democracy that protects the rights of every Arkansan.

Defending Democracy and Civil Liberties

Since January 2025, the ACLU has filed more than 200 legal actions nationwide against the Trump administration 2.0’s unconstitutional attacks on our freedoms. In Arkansas, our affiliate has mobilized every tool — litigation, advocacy, communications, and grassroots organizing — to defend the rights of all Arkansans. We monitored over 200 bills affecting constitutional rights and civil liberties in the General Assembly this year and filed four lawsuits challenging infringements on the rights of Arkansans. Additionally, we filed amicus briefs in cases concerning right to counsel, voting rights, and free speech.

Our team expanded public education initiatives, developing Know Your Rights materials in English and Spanish with partners statewide. We distributed 30,000 of these printed materials throughout Arkansas this year. These resources, distributed digitally and in person, help Arkansans understand their rights, navigate barriers, and claim their power.

We supported attorneys and advocacy groups across Arkansas by offering guidance, strategy, and collaboration. These relationships allow us to identify systemic injustices and respond quickly when people’s rights are threatened — from students and teachers to incarcerated Arkansans, immigrants, and low-income families.

Protecting the Right to Free Speech

Free speech lies at the core of democracy and the First Amendment belongs to everyone. This year, the ACLU of Arkansas fought censorship and defended the right to speak, protest, and access information.

We:

• Challenged restrictions on petitioners collecting signatures in public spaces.
• Defended libraries, librarians and readers from censorship.
• Defended an incarcerated man retaliated against for his legal advocacy.
• Supported demonstrators across the state and country.

Standing with Immigrants and Refugees

The ACLU is challenging cruel immigration policies and opposing the largest planned mass deportation operation in U.S. history. In Arkansas, we strengthened community partnerships, developed and distributed updated Know Your Rights guides for immigrants and mixed-status families, and hosted legal clinics and community oriented events.

These resources — available in English and Spanish — cover vital topics like powers of attorney for children, finances, and health care. Each tool empowers families to stay informed, safe, and connected.

Defending LGBTQ Rights

Arkansas remains a frontline battleground for LGBTQ equality. The ACLU of Arkansas continued to challenge laws that ban gender-affirming care for trans youth and restrict accurate gender markers on IDs and passports.

Every person deserves dignity, autonomy, and safety. We’re working hard to ensure that LGBTQ Arkansans can live free from discrimination and government intrusion.

Protecting the Right to Vote and Direct Democracy

Democracy depends on participation. In 2025, we:

• Supported the Election Protection hotline (1-866-OUR-VOTE / 1-888-VEYVOTA) for Arkansas voters.
• Challenged racial gerrymandering in state legislative districts.
• Filed suit to defend citizen-led ballot initiatives, representing nonprofit groups seeking to place issues on the ballot.

We’re also laying the groundwork for future initiatives, including efforts to restore access to reproductive healthcare through a ballot measure.

Safeguarding Religious Liberty

Religious freedom belongs to everyone — not the government. The ACLU of Arkansas is challenging the state’s law requiring Ten Commandments displays in every public school classroom and opposing school-led prayer that pressures students to participate in religious activities.

Expanding Access to Justice

Our legal team filed and supported multiple briefs defending fundamental rights, including:

• The right to counsel at bond hearings.
• The right of an undocumented mother to keep custody of her child.
• An amicus brief supporting the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, underscoring that Tribal Nations have an inherent right to seek justice in federal courts and that jurisdictional barriers cannot be used to silence Indigenous communities.

Confronting Hate and Extremism

Reports of a white supremacist “community” forming in Northeast Arkansas sparked immediate response. Housing segregation — repackaged as a so-called “private club” — still violates the Fair Housing Act. The ACLU of Arkansas is raising awareness and resourcing partners and journalists to hold perpetrators accountable under state and federal law.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Every day – every hour – we hear about a new abuse of power, a new threat to our democracy and fundamental rights. The need for defense of civil liberties and civil rights by the ACLU is as critical as ever. The work ahead is urgent and ambitious. In 2026, the ACLU of Arkansas will:

• Confront new censorship and free speech restrictions.
• Defend LGBTQ Arkansans, immigrants, and reproductive rights.
• Protect voters and strengthen citizen-led democracy.
• Oppose the building of yet another mega prison in Arkansas.
• Expose and challenge government abuse, corruption, and discrimination.

The mission remains the same: combat authoritarianism, defend freedom, and work for a democracy that truly protects and ensures equality for every Arkansan.

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