News & Commentary

On March 24, 2015 a panel of the Milwaukee Board of Fire and Police Commissioners (FPC) sustained Chief Edward Flynn’s decision to terminate former Milwaukee police officer Christopher Manney.  Manney is a white officer who shot and killed an African-American man, Dontre Hamilton, on April 30, 2014 in Red Arrow Park. The commissioners determined that Manney violated department rules and training when he frisked Dontre Hamilton prior to shooting him.  The ACLU of Wisconsin believes the commissioners’ decision was correct.  But it is only a first step among several needed to improve the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD). 

By Richard Wolf

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday turned away a challenge to Wisconsin's voter identification law, allowing the law to stand and handing a victory to Gov. Scott Walker following a long fight by opponents who say it's a thinly veiled attempt to make it more difficult for Democratic backers to vote.

March 18, 2015

The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin, along with 11 other community organizations and leaders, have asked for greater public input and transparency in the confirmation process for nominees to the Milwaukee Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. We believe that regardless of the nominee, the FPC will be better able to carry out its important oversight and auditing functions if the nomination process enhances public confidence in the Commission.   The text of the letter sent to the Common Council's President and Public Safety Committee Chair is below.

A proposed ordinance that would all but eliminate fines for possessing a small amount of marijuana in Milwaukee sparked a debate Thursday about racial disparities in the criminal justice system. Study after study has

Voting rights advocates are hoping that the U.S. Supreme Court will take up Wisconsin’s voter ID law, one of the most stringent in the country.

Successful community policing is built on positive relationships between law-enforcement officials and the public. So the results of a recent ACLU of Wisconsin survey about attitudes among Milwaukeeans toward the police are concerning.

ACLU of Wisconsin Executive Director, Chris Ahmuty, appeared on CNN's NEW DAY which aired December 23, 2014 - 06:00   ET