President-elect Donald Trump has already shown that he is a threat to our fundamental rights and freedoms.
Project 2025 is a roadmap for limiting our freedoms at the individual level. Regardless of his attempts to distance himself from this draconian agenda, we believe Trump when he says he will attempt to deport millions of immigrants, continue his assault on reproductive rights, prosecute political protesters, and deploy the military to get his way.
The ACLU is a leader in working with states and cities to build firewalls for freedom: barriers to ensure our state and local officials do not assist anti-democratic forces in attacking our civil liberties and civil rights. And in states like Minnesota — where the political landscape affords us some of the greatest opportunities — the ACLU has already developed state and local policy actions to protect people’s safety, health, and fundamental rights.
The ACLU-MN has met with Governor Tim Walz’ staff, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and other state leaders to advocate for protections against potential civil rights violations.
In Minnesota, the Firewall for Freedom immediate priorities are:
- Expand privacy protections: Protections are needed to insulate immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community and people seeking reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare.
- Protect the LGBTQ+ community: Minnesota must ensure the highest possible protections for LBGTQ+ students with a particular emphasis on transgender and nonbinary students.
- Prioritize equal rights and diversity, equity and inclusion: The Equal Rights Amendment should be passed. Also, School districts should establish inclusive curriculum that accurately reflects historical events and promotes anti-racism. Schools must also implement state laws that prohibit censorship.
- Protect Immigrants: There are many steps that state and local officials should take to protect immigrants in Minnesota. Steps include, but are not limited to, limiting the use of state and local resources in deportation and immigrant detention operations, coordinating state and local government responses to mass raids, Oppose and denounce the use of the federalized National Guard or Military against immigrant Minnesotans and nonviolent protestors, and more.
- Address Gap in Policing Investigations: Authorize the attorney general to initiate pattern or practices investigations and lawsuits against law enforcement engaged in civil rights violations.
- Protect Protest Rights: Encourage all law enforcement agencies in the state to uphold the right to peaceful protest and dissent and adopt the Minnesota POST Board's Model Policy on Public Assembly and First Amendment Activity.
“Minnesota is a unique State,” said ACLU-MN Executive Director Deepinder Mayell. “It already has a host of protections for vulnerable populations, and in many ways, Minnesota is an island. It is a beacon for surrounding states, for those seeking reproductive and gender affirming care, for members of the LGBTQ+ community, and for immigrants and refugees. But the bottom line is this: more needs to be done.”