A More Perfect District

The Trump administration has tested the limits of presidential power. ACLU-D.C. has been fighting back. In this episode of A More Perfect District, ACLU-D.C. Senior Development Officer Michael Walker sits down with Legal Director Scott Michelman to unpack some of ACLU-D.C.’s biggest legal challenges to the administration, what they’ve learned from taking the federal government to court, and what these fights mean for the future of our rights and democracy.

As federal immigration enforcement has intensified in D.C., immigrant communities and their allies are organizing, supporting one another, and fighting back. In this episode of A More Perfect District, Andrea Ramos speaks with Madhvi Bahl from the Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network and ACLU-D.C. Staff Attorney Aditi Shah about what is happening on D.C.’s streets and in the courts, what immigrants should know about their rights, and how community solidarity can help protect our neighbors.

No one should be above the law, including federal law enforcement. Yet when federal agents violate people’s constitutional rights, holding them accountable can be extraordinarily difficult. In this episode of A More Perfect District, ACLU-DC Paralegal & Intake Coordinator Ameerah Adetoro talks with Legal Director Scott Michelman about the barriers that can make it difficult to hold federal officers accountable, why accountability matters for protecting all of our rights, and what we can do to push for change.

The D.C. Council makes decisions that affect nearly every aspect of life in the District, from civil rights protections to funding for essential services. But how does the Council actually work, and how can residents influence its decisions? Monica Hopkins, Executive Director at ACLU-D.C. sits down with Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director at the ACLU-D.C. and Katharine Landfield, Senior Advocacy Strategist at Fair Budget Coalition for a conversation about the legislative and budget process, common misconceptions about local government, and the many ways District residents can advocate for change. Whether you're new to civic engagement or looking to become more involved, this episode offers a practical guide to participating in D.C.'s democracy.

In this episode, we discuss the impact of D.C. Home Rule and the future of D.C. statehood. Host Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director, is joined by Melissa Wasser, Sr. Policy Counsel, to discuss the history of Home Rule and how protecting Home Rule is protecting democracy. Later, Yass is joined by Keya Chatterjee, Executive Director of Free DC. Here they discuss why D.C. needs Statehood, how Congress has a history of deciding the fate of D.C. and its residents, and the journey for equal representation for D.C. residents.

In this episode, we cover what you need to know about the public safety issues impacting our District. Host Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director, is joined by Peggy Ramin, Policy Counsel, to discuss what real public safety looks like and how D.C. leaders can uplift prevention, instead of over-relying on policing and incarceration Later, Yass is joined by James Carpenter of the Free Minds Book Club. Here they discuss why D.C. needs to support reentry programs, the importance of support services to the formerly incarcerated, and what matters most to this community.

Can the Government Punish You for Mocking It?  In this episode, host Amber Taylor, Strategic Communications Director at ACLU-D.C., sits down with our client Sam O’Hara to discuss his detention by D.C. police after he recorded National Guard members patrolling Washington, D.C., while playing The Imperial March from Star Wars. Sam shares what happened that day, why he believes his rights were violated, and what his lawsuit, O’Hara v. Beck, could mean for free speech and the right to challenge authority. 

In this episode, we cover why protesting in D.C. is powerful, and what people need to know as they take to the streets.Host Monica Hopkins, Executive Director of the ACLU-D.C., is joined by Art Spitzer, Senior Counsel, to talk about the history of protest in D.C., the rights of protesters, why protest is needed for a healthy democracy.

In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about voting in Washington, D.C. Whether you plan to vote by mail, use a drop box, or cast your ballot in person, we’ll help you make a plan to vote with confidence. Host Amber Taylor, Strategic Communications Director, is joined by Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director, to discuss responses from candidates who completed the ACLU of D.C.’s primary election questionnaire and what voters should know heading into the election. We also speak with Brandon Bush-Thompson of the League of Women Voters of DC about ranked-choice voting, how it works in D.C., and practical guidance to help voters cast their ballots successfully.