https://soundcloud.com/thepurplestatereport/we-were-turned-away Subscribe to our podcast. On today’s episode, Alejandra talks to ACLU clients Dave Mullins and Charlie Craig, a Colorado couple who were turned away by a bakery that refused to sell them a cake to celebrate their wedding. In November, the case will go before the US Supreme Court and the outcome could have wide implications. Dave and Charlie talk about their experience that day, what’s at stake at the Supreme Court, and why its.... | Read More

https://soundcloud.com/thepurplestatereport/episode-4-i-came-out-of-the-shadows Subscribe to our podcast. On today’s episode, Alejandra speaks with Victor Galvan, a DACA recipient who came to the United States as an infant. Earlier this week the Trump administration announced its plan to rescind DACA in six months affecting more than 800,000 young people like Victor. Also, John discusses an ACLU case on behalf of a Colorado man who spent 52 days in jail waiting to see a judge. Call to Action: Tell.... | Read More

09/07/17 DENVER – The ACLU of Colorado filed a lawsuit this morning against the Pueblo and Teller County Sheriff’s Offices on behalf of Michael Bailey, who was held in jail for 52 days on a years-old misdemeanor warrant awaiting his first appearance before a judge.    The lawsuit, which was filed this morning in federal district court, seeks compensatory and punitive damages. On Sept. 8, 2015, the Teller County Sheriff’s Office arrested Mr. Bailey on a four-year-old misdemeanor warrant.... | Read More

9/5/17 DENVER — The Trump administration today announced the termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program. The DACA program has served as a critical lifeline for nearly 800,000 young immigrants, or “Dreamers,” including more than 17,000 here in Colorado, who came to this country as children and know the United States as their only home. The following is a statement from ACLU of Colorado Executive Director Nathan Woodliff-Stanley reacting to the White House.... | Read More

DENVER – The ACLU of Colorado is proud to announce that Harold Fields, Susan Greene, and Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) will receive our 2017 Civil Rights Awards, which will be presented at the Bill of Rights Dinner on Thursday, September 28th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Denver. Harold Fields, lifelong leader of social and racial justice causes, will be honored with the Carle Whitehead Memorial Award. Fields facilitates the Second Tuesday Race Forum, a city-wide monthly racial.... | Read More

https://soundcloud.com/thepurplestatereport/episode-3-i-was-part-of-something-that-helped-my-community On today’s episode: In 2012, James Fisher was sentenced to pay $678 in fines for three minor ordinance violations. Over the next four years, while he struggled with homelessness and unsteady work, James made nineteen payments to the Aurora Municipal Court totaling $1,498 and yet still owed $860. James talks about his fight to end debtor’s prisons in Colorado. Also, a special message from.... | Read More

https://soundcloud.com/thepurplestatereport/episode-2-i-put-my-body-on-the-line On today’s episode: Alejandra talks with Kalyn Heffernan, AKA Wheelchair Sports Camp, one of the disability rights activists who staged a 60-hour sit-in at Senator Cory Gardner’s office during the healthcare repeal fight. Kalyn and 8 other activists were arrested and spent 30 hours in jail. She shares her personal story in the battle to save healthcare. Also, John discusses a recent victory for free speech and.... | Read More

Police tased Kelley in the back as he said, “I know my rights” DENVER – The City of Aurora will pay $110,000 to settle claims brought by ACLU of Colorado on behalf of Darsean Kelley, a young Black man who was unlawfully stopped, detained, and tased in the back by Aurora police just as he said “I know my rights.” A video, taken from an officer’s body camera and released by the ACLU last September, gained national attention and accumulated more than 1 million views. “Through constructive,.... | Read More

https://soundcloud.com/thepurplestatereport/episode-1-i-know-my-rights On today’s episode: We introduce the Purple State Report and talk to Rebecca Wallace, an ACLU attorney who negotiated a 110K settlement in the Darsean Kelley police excessive force case. Kelley was stopped for no reason, detained, and tased in the back by Aurora Police just as he said “I know my rights.” Wallace explains how the ACLU sought justice and what still needs to be done to hold police in Aurora and around Colorado.... | Read More

DENVER – The ACLU of Colorado filed a federal class action lawsuit this morning challenging the Colorado Department of Corrections’ systematic denial of life-saving treatment to more than 2,200 prisoners suffering from chronic Hepatitis C. “Colorado has an immense public health crisis in its prisons.  At least one in every nine prisoners suffers from Hepatitis C, and complications from the disease kill nearly as many Coloradans in custody every year as drug and alcohol abuse, homicide,.... | Read More