ACLU of Idaho
@acluidaho.bsky.social
4K followers 72 following 220 posts
The ACLU of Idaho is a nonprofit organization founded to defend & preserve the individual liberties guaranteed to all by the U.S. Constitution & Bill of Rights.
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acluidaho.bsky.social
The government's recent action that cut Planned Parenthood out of Medicaid reimbursements is a serious attack on reproductive freedom in Idaho. We applaud Planned Parenthood's commitment to providing equal access to health care for all, regardless of income, gender, immigration status, or zip code.
‘We aren’t going anywhere:’ Idaho’s last Planned Parenthood plans to stay open despite federal cuts • Idaho Capital Sun
Despite federal cuts from the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," Idaho's last Planned Parenthood clinic is here to stay, its health workers say.
idahocapitalsun.com
acluidaho.bsky.social
We believe in an informed society where ideas are openly disseminated, discussed, and debated. We will always defend the right to access information and form our own opinions. #BannedBooksWeek
acluidaho.bsky.social
If you allow people to control what kind of art and speech you have access to and what kind of academic conversations you get to have while learning, you allow them the opportunity to write your narrative for you. How long until your history is erased?
acluidaho.bsky.social
One explanation is that they hope to erase the parts of our history and stories that include an analysis of systemic racism because they wish to uphold those systems that push out people of color. Maybe they hope to delegitimize the existence of LGBTQ+ folks to make it easier to oppress them.
acluidaho.bsky.social

Why would that be a threat to book banners? If they don't want their children to read these books, they could simply bar their children from accessing them. Why disallow anyone to read these books? Why do they have the need to control what information is available to everyone?
acluidaho.bsky.social
With the onslaught against DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) in both K-12 and colleges/universities, we're seeing blatant censorship of topics some people simply don't like, such as an understanding of racism and acceptance for LGBTQ+ identities.
acluidaho.bsky.social
But as we look at age-appropriate books that are being banned, we can't help but notice a pattern of themes that tie them together:
✅ Exploration of gender and sexuality
✅ Discussion of systemic racism
✅ Criticism of oppressive systems in America
acluidaho.bsky.social
Their justification is to protect young children from reading something obscene. But many books on the banned book list are lengthy chapter books dealing with heavy issues that are beyond a child's reading level, written to bring out the humanity, hypocrisy, and societal issues in the book's themes.
acluidaho.bsky.social
Why is banning books dangerous?

Of course it's an attack on the freedom of speech, expression, and academic freedom. But let's go a bit deeper and ask ourselves, why would book banners feel the need to control speech, art, and academic freedom?
acluidaho.bsky.social
A response to this brief is expected by Monday, October 27. After that, Judge Hanen will decide whether there will be a hearing or if he will make a decision based on the filings. No specific timeline for the decision has been provided yet. We will continue providing updates as they come along.
acluidaho.bsky.social
Please join @friendsofminidoka October 7 - 9 for the 2025 Civil Liberties Symposium, The Coram Nobis Cases: Gordon Hirabayashi, Fred Korematsu & Minoru Yasui.
acluidaho.bsky.social
1 in 3 Idahoans can't afford a private attorney, so they have a right to a public defender. But this right is being violated every day, causing Idaho families to suffer.
acluidaho.bsky.social
The U.S. military should not be policing our communities.

The Trump administration's domestic deployment of military troops is a dangerous abuse of power, undermining core democratic principles and putting Americans in danger.

📣Tell Congress to keep the military off our streets.
Tell Congress: No Troops on Our Streets
President Trump has deployed thousands of National Guard and federal troops into our communities. Tell Congress: No troops on our streets.
action.aclu.org
acluidaho.bsky.social
Idaho has more than quadrupled its 287(g) agreements with ICE since January, with nine agreements now active across the state.

The 287(g) program authorizes local police to act as immigration agents, effectively using local taxpayer dollars to serve Trump’s mass deportation agenda. Learn more:
How Expanded 287(g) Program Turns Local Police Into Deportation Agents | ACLU
The Trump administration has expanded the controversial program to harm more communities than ever. Families and advocates nationwide are fighting back.
www.aclu.org
acluidaho.bsky.social
We see you. We hear you. We stand with you!

Los vemos. Los escuchamos. Y estamos con ustedes!
Dark blue image with white text discussing Hispanic/Latino/e Heritage Month, bordered by geometric patterns, with ACLU Idaho logo. The text says: This year, Hispanic/Latino/e Heritage Month may resonate differently within our community. While this month is intended to honor the rich culture of our Hispanic/Latino/e community, many have chosen to celebrate quietly due to ongoing challenges, including targeted profiling in our country.

To our Hispanic/Latino/e community: we see you, we hear you, and we will continue to stand in solidarity with you. Imagen azul oscuro con texto blanco sobre el Mes de la Herencia Hispana/Latina/e, enmarcada por patrones geométricos, con el logo de ACLU Idaho. El texto dice:
Este año, el Mes de la Herencia Hispana/Latina/e puede sentirse de manera diferente en nuestra comunidad. Aunque este mes tiene como objetivo rendir homenaje a la rica cultura de nuestra comunidad Hispana/Latina/e, muchos han decidido celebrarlo de forma más discreta debido a los desafíos actuales, como la discriminación racial en nuestro país.

A nuestra comunidad Hispana/Latina/e: los vemos, los escuchamos y seguiremos apoyándolos.
acluidaho.bsky.social
The protections and restrictions around free speech are very nuanced. You can listen to more in-depth conversations below.

The ABCs of free speech: buff.ly/ceu0ni1
Ask an expert - free speech: buff.ly/MlrkCe3

If you believe your free speech rights have been violated, reach out to us. (6/6)
acluidaho.bsky.social
In certain situations, a company or government agency can fire people for what they post on social media. This can happen if that speech is not protected by the First Amendment (inciting violence, defamation, obscenity, etc.) and/or if the speech violates an established company policy. (5/6)
acluidaho.bsky.social
When an employee is hired, they agree to that company or agency's conditions of employment. Some companies have established policies that can address consequences for public declarations that are contradictory to the company's values. (4/6)
acluidaho.bsky.social
The U.S. Supreme Court has recognized certain narrow free speech restrictions, including incitement of violence, true threats, defamation, obscenity, and fraud. (3/6)
acluidaho.bsky.social
The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects our freedom of speech, press, assembly, religion, and right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. This amendment prohibits restrictions based on the content of speech. (2/6)
acluidaho.bsky.social
Free speech protections and restrictions under the First Amendment are very nuanced. It's important to understand the basics of free speech rights. Here's an overview 🧵 Please note, this is for educational purposes only. For legal advice, seek an attorney. (1/6)
acluidaho.bsky.social
If there is not more robust police training and accountability, our most vulnerable people will continue to experience these civil rights violations, with dangerous consequences.

Everyone at the ACLU sends condolences to the loved ones of Victor Perez. We call on community leaders to demand better
acluidaho.bsky.social
We unfortunately receive over 1,000 complaints a year that could have had better outcomes had officers employed better rationale and tactics. Victor and his family paid a heavy price for rash decisions made by too many people.
acluidaho.bsky.social
At the end of the day, four officers with powerful guns running up to a fence with weapons drawn against one person with a kitchen knife is excessive, regardless of the presence of a disability. Though the actions were ruled not entirely illegal, they were also not optimal.