News & Commentary

We're disappointed that earlier today, Governor Walker announced he would allow House Bill 156, a bill that restricts the free speech rights of Alaskan students, to become law despite its constitutional infirmities.

The Alaska Supreme Court struck down a state law requring parental notification before minor women can obtain abortions, citing the law's violation of both the equal protection guarantee as well as privacy rights. After this law was passed in 2010, we joined Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Center for Reproductive Rights in representing Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and other abortion services providers targeted by the law.

The ACLU of Alaska was honored to be present at the bill-signing of Senate Bill 91, the omnibus criminal reform bill that will fundamentally improve Alaska’s criminal justice system. We applaud Governor Bill Walker and the bipartisan group of legislators who are moving us away from an over-reliance on incarceration and towards smarter justice anchored in social science research and tailored to the specific needs of Alaskans.

Today we joined 17 other states in a coordinated, nationwide push for stronger laws to protect Americans' personal information.

On January 14, 2016, we submitted over 42,000 signatures from Alaskans all over the state to the Division of Elections in order to get PFD Voter Registration on the ballot. Keep an eye out for the initiative on the November ballot!

The ACLU of Alaska commends Alaska Governor Bill Walker for not giving in to fear-mongering and joining the 29 other state leaders who have announced bans on Syrian refugees entering their states.

On the evening of Tuesday, November 10, 2015, the City of Bethel unanimously passed two laws, Bethel Ordinances #15-33 and #15-34, to protect all city employees and contractors, including those who are gay or transgender, from discrimination. All 7 council members said that the people of Bethel deserve the best people working for them and that no one should lose their job simply based on who they are or whom they love. 

Just before midnight, the Anchorage Assembly passed AO-96, an ordinance updating Anchorage's non-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity, by an overwhelming majority of 9-2. Anchorage is now the first city in Alaska to protect all its residents from discrimination and unfair treatment on the basis of who they are or who they love.