Kesley Vial

Kesley’s Legacy: Why No Detention is Safe

After three long years of litigation, the private prison company CoreCivic paid a settlement to the wrongful death estate of Kesley Vial, a 23-year-old Brazilian asylum seeker who died by suicide while in ICE custody at the Torrance County Detention Facility (TCDF) in Estancia, New Mexico, in August of 2022.

Latest Press Release


Billboards Celebrate NM Civil Rights Act Fifth Anniversary

To commemorate the five-year anniversary of the New Mexico Civil Rights Act (NMCRA), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico has placed five billboards praising the landmark law across Albuquerque.
A billboard that says "The NM Civil Rights Act turns five. Justice never gets old" with a "Welcome to New Mexico" sign on it.

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Stay informed on civil rights issues. Discover our latest actions and updates in the Press Release section.


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New Mexico Must Keep Its Promise on Civil Rights

Five years ago, New Mexico made a promise. When our state passed the New Mexico Civil Rights Act, we declared that the rights guaranteed by the New Mexico Constitution meant something.
A graphic showing hot air ballons, a person holding their arms out towards a sunrise, and a sunset with painted clouds behind a silhouetted road sign.

The Case for Investing in New Mexico's Youth

The ACLU of New Mexico, along with partners, is prioritizing holistic solutions in juvenile justice — because we know these are the approaches that are safest and most effective for our communities.


ACTION ALERT: Tell Rep. Brown That Rape Survivors Need Care and Support, Not a Felony Charge

By Micah McCoy

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VICTORY: Walgreens Assures Women Equal Access to Birth Control at Pharmacies

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—Today, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico announced that Walgreen Co. has given the organization assurance that individual pharmacists’ personal religious beliefs will not prevent customers from filling their birth control prescriptions at any of their pharmacies nationwide. The ACLU of New Mexico, the Southwest Women’s Law Center (SWLC) and Walgreen Co. have been in discussions since a pharmacist at an Albuquerque Walgreens location refused to fill the birth control prescriptions of two women due to his religious beliefs. The ACLU of New Mexico and SWLC believe that this act constitutes sex discrimination and is unlawful under the New Mexico Human Rights Act.

By Micah McCoy

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Not In Her Shoes: A New Way to Talk About Abortion

The labels "pro-choice" and "pro-life" just aren't working anymore. These two terms have defined the battle lines of the abortion issue for decades, but they simply don't reflect how people actually feel about abortion. It's a complicated issue that engenders a whole range of opinions. So instead of trying to fit everyone into one of these two boxes, we need to meet people where they are by talking about abortion in terms everyone can access. The message is simple: we shouldn't interfere with a woman's personal medical decisions because we're NOT IN HER SHOES. Watch this short video for a quick explanation of how this message can change the conversations we have about abortion:

By Micah McCoy

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Former Gay and Lesbian Service Members Subject to Discriminatory Policy to Receive Full Separation Pay

 

By Micah McCoy

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Freedom to Love - By Phil Bock

FREEDOM TO LOVE By Phil Bock Freedom To Love and freedom to choose: That's what we all are fighting for. Just to show affection, freely without fear, And have protection from the law. It shouldn't matter how we look or how we talk, We're equal even if we're fe

By Micah McCoy

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Border Enforcement Agencies Need to be More Transparent

It is a core American value that elected officials and public servants, from teachers to police officers, should be held accountable for their actions, and that government agencies should be transparent in their operations. Border Patrol agents,

By Alyssa Telander

2013 Bylaws Changes

Down

By Micah McCoy

Good Parents, Good Students, and Strong Families for New Mexico's Future

"Pregnant and parenting teens are future doctors, lawyers, police officers, etc. They are capable of success, and it is our job to support their academic goals." -Melissa Romero, Teen Parent

By Micah McCoy

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ACLU Regional Center for Border Rights Urges Full Investigation of Texas State Trooper Killing of Two Unarmed Migrants

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By Micah McCoy

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