{"id":218295,"date":"2025-12-09T11:52:55","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T16:52:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aclu.org\/?p=218295"},"modified":"2025-12-17T14:05:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T19:05:43","slug":"through-the-lens-of-liberty-the-aclus-year-in-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aclu.org\/news\/civil-liberties\/through-the-lens-of-liberty-the-aclus-year-in-photos","title":{"rendered":"Through the Lens of Liberty: The ACLU\u2019s Year in Photos"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":109,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"metadata":[2027,1763,1757,1750,2024,1751,1752,1755,1769,1768],"class_list":["post-218295","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","metadata-both","metadata-context","metadata-historical-commemorative","metadata-layout","metadata-length","metadata-listicle-roundup","metadata-longform","metadata-narrative-frame","metadata-national-affiliate-staff","metadata-voice"],"acf":{"header_layout":"full-bleed","header_image":218617,"mobile_header_image":218620,"description":"From nationwide rallies to crucial Supreme Court cases, revisit the photos that encapsulate our eventful year. ","authors":[106508],"components":[{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":{"text":"As Donald Trump started his second presidential term, 2025 began with a lot of uncertainty. However, the ACLU was ready to protect the civil liberties of individuals around the country, as we had done hundreds of times during Trump\u2019s first term. This year saw many wins, setbacks, and enduring battles over issues like immigrants rights, trans justice, and the right to vote. As we look back on a pivotal year, join us in remembering the many moments captured on camera that defined 2025 at the ACLU."}},{"acf_fc_layout":"heading","heading":{"":null,"text":"January ","anchor":"","sub-heading":"","type":"h2","heading-style":"standard"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"single-image","single-image":{"":null,"image-group":{"image":218380,"":null,"caption":"","credit":"Credit: Adam Perez","link-settings":"none","url":""},"width":"full-bleed","alignment":"left"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":{"text":"Trump\u2019s second administration immediately began targeting immigrant communities around the country by carrying out inhumane civilian seizures and pushing legislation that would strip individuals of their legal status. The ACLU\u2019s \u201cLetters to America<\/a>\u201d campaign aimed to spotlight that the individuals affected by these policies are regular people, parents and children seeking safety and opportunity.\r\n\r\nMore moments from the month: <\/b>We kept individuals informed on the flurry of executive orders signed by the president during that time, as well as how they affect sex discrimination<\/a>, DEI and accessibility efforts<\/a>, and birthright citizenship."}},{"acf_fc_layout":"heading","heading":{"":null,"text":"February ","anchor":"","sub-heading":"","type":"h2","heading-style":"standard"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"single-image","single-image":{"":null,"image-group":{"image":218382,"":null,"caption":"","credit":"Credit: Scout Tufankjian","link-settings":"none","url":""},"width":"full-bleed","alignment":"left"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":{"text":"As part of our continued advocacy for trans rights amidst mounting political attacks, we commenced our Freedom To Be<\/a> campaign, a multifaceted effort spotlighting trans joy along with trans and ally voices around the country. Among these efforts was the Freedom to Be monument, a quilt composed of hundreds of squares by artists celebrating trans resilience, community, and joy. Participants were welcome to join the ACLU at the Brooklyn Museum to craft their quilt panels and share stories.\r\n\r\nMore moments from the month: <\/b>We showcased multiple<\/a> immigrants\u2019 rights activists<\/a> in a web series combatting Trump\u2019s anti-immigrant attacks."}},{"acf_fc_layout":"heading","heading":{"":null,"text":"March ","anchor":"","sub-heading":"","type":"h2","heading-style":"standard"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"single-image","single-image":{"":null,"image-group":{"image":218385,"":null,"caption":"","credit":"Credit: Lynsey Weatherspoon","link-settings":"none","url":""},"width":"full-bleed","alignment":"left"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":{"text":"We sponsored and participated in this year\u2019s Selma Jubilee<\/a>, which celebrated the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama to support civil rights. Activists endured brutal attacks by law enforcement during the march, but the event helped introduce and usher along the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Since then, a similar march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge takes place annually to honor past civil rights trailblazers, especially as voting access faces continued legal attacks. We also helped to inform readers about Trump\u2019s attacks on the Department of Education<\/a> and emphasized the importance of state and local authorities<\/a> in the fight for our civil liberties."}},{"acf_fc_layout":"heading","heading":{"":null,"text":"April","anchor":"","sub-heading":"","type":"h2","heading-style":"standard"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"single-image","single-image":{"":null,"image-group":{"image":218513,"":null,"caption":"","credit":"Credit: Scout Tufankjian","link-settings":"none","url":""},"width":"full-bleed","alignment":"left"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":{"text":"The Trump administration\u2019s unconstitutional abduction and threats to deport several students and scholars for voicing their opinions earlier this year was a blatant affront to our First Amendment freedoms.\r\n\r\nBut the ACLU and partners fought back against these unlawful seizures in court and helped to ensure that these brave individuals were released and reunited with their families. Mohsen Mahdawi<\/a> was released from ICE custody in April, R\u00fcmeysa \u00d6zt\u00fcrk<\/a> and Dr. Badar Khan Suri<\/a> were released in May, and Mahmoud Khalil<\/a> was released in June.\r\n\r\nMore moments from the month: <\/b>We spotlit volunteers<\/a> who work to ensure that detained immigrants know their rights."}},{"acf_fc_layout":"heading","heading":{"":null,"text":"May","anchor":"","sub-heading":"","type":"h2","heading-style":"standard"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"single-image","single-image":{"":null,"image-group":{"image":218388,"":null,"caption":"","credit":"Credit: Allison Shelley","link-settings":"none","url":""},"width":"full-bleed","alignment":"left"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":{"text":"The ACLU unveiled its Freedom To Be monument<\/a> on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in May. Inspired by the AIDS Memorial Quilt, the sprawling installation, made up of hundreds of quilt squares, spelled out the words \u201cFreedom To Be, and celebrated trans resilience. Observers were welcomed to wander along the mall, and admire the individual quilt squares made by trans artists, activists, and allies.\r\n\r\nMore moments from the month: <\/b>We amplified the voices<\/a> of undocumented immigrants around the country enduring attacks from the Trump administration, and highlighted key Supreme Court<\/a> cases happening in the coming months."}},{"acf_fc_layout":"heading","heading":{"":null,"text":"June","anchor":"","sub-heading":"","type":"h2","heading-style":"standard"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"single-image","single-image":{"":null,"image-group":{"image":218391,"":null,"caption":"","credit":"Credit: Jordana Berm\u00fadez","link-settings":"none","url":""},"width":"full-bleed","alignment":"left"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":{"text":"Pride Month and the consequential SCOTUS case U.S. v. Skrmetti<\/a> put LGBTQ rights front and center. And though the decision on the case was a blow to gender-affirming care access, the ACLU remained steadfast<\/a> in its support of trans rights through advocacy, court battles, and reflections on past legal battles<\/a> that shaped LGBTQ rights."}},{"acf_fc_layout":"heading","heading":{"":null,"text":"July","anchor":"","sub-heading":"","type":"h2","heading-style":"standard"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"single-image","single-image":{"":null,"image-group":{"image":218393,"":null,"caption":"","credit":"Credit: Scout Tufankjian","link-settings":"none","url":""},"width":"full-bleed","alignment":"left"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":{"text":"Since his first day back in office, Trump has sought to end birthright citizenship<\/a> \u2014 the constitutional right to citizenship of children born in the United States. The ACLU and partners swiftly sued to block Trump\u2019s attempts, but the legal battle has continued throughout the year, and may soon be heading to the Supreme Court. During the summer, the ACLU continued to advocate for this legal right, by keeping supporters informed<\/a> about the evolving issue, and filing a class action lawsuit<\/a>."}},{"acf_fc_layout":"heading","heading":{"":null,"text":"August ","anchor":"","sub-heading":"","type":"h2","heading-style":"standard"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"single-image","single-image":{"":null,"image-group":{"image":218612,"":null,"caption":"","credit":"Credit: Scout Tufankjian","link-settings":"none","url":""},"width":"full-bleed","alignment":"left"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":{"text":"The Trump administration continued its unprecedented aggression against immigrant communities, by creating several immigration detention facilities<\/a> that fly in the face of proper approval channels and due process protocols. The ACLU quickly took action<\/a> by highlighting the unconstitutionality of these widespread detention measures<\/a> and making sure that the rights of U.S. immigrants remained on people\u2019s minds."}},{"acf_fc_layout":"heading","heading":{"":null,"text":"September ","anchor":"","sub-heading":"","type":"h2","heading-style":"standard"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"single-image","single-image":{"":null,"image-group":{"image":218395,"":null,"caption":"","credit":"Credit: Kohar Minassian","link-settings":"none","url":""},"width":"full-bleed","alignment":"left"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":{"text":"The president took further authoritarian action in September by deploying hundreds of D.C. National Guard troops federal law enforcement agents to patrol DC\u2019s streets. The ACLU was quick to call out<\/a> that federal troops do not belong on our streets and that their role<\/a> isn\u2019t to be Trump\u2019s personal policing power.\r\n\r\nMore moments from the month: <\/b>We spotlit the country\u2019s spreading censorship problem<\/a> and began a series<\/a> celebrating books that help readers understand civil liberties and civil rights."}},{"acf_fc_layout":"heading","heading":{"":null,"text":"October","anchor":"","sub-heading":"","type":"h2","heading-style":"standard"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"single-image","single-image":{"":null,"image-group":{"image":218400,"":null,"caption":"","credit":"Credit: Alex Garcia","link-settings":"none","url":""},"width":"full-bleed","alignment":"left"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":{"text":"For the second time this year, communities around the country took to the streets for No Kings National Day of Action to call out the Trump administration\u2019s abuses of power and advocate for our inalienable rights. The ACLU was a crucial partner in these nationwide actions, providing live coverage throughout<\/a> the day, and making sure that protestors knew their rights before taking action<\/a>.\r\n\r\nMore moments from the month: <\/b>We amplified that the mounting pressure and censorship of late night television hosts like Jimmy Kimmel<\/a> are blatantly unconstitutional \u2014 and got a few friends to cosign. <\/a>"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"heading","heading":{"":null,"text":"November","anchor":"","sub-heading":"","type":"h2","heading-style":"standard"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"single-image","single-image":{"":null,"image-group":{"image":218606,"":null,"caption":"","credit":"Credit: Scout Tufankjian","link-settings":"none","url":""},"width":"full-bleed","alignment":"left"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":{"text":"Along with partners Ben & Jerry\u2019s, YOLA Mezcal, and Gabriela Hearst, the ACLU hosted Creatives For Freedom<\/a> at Pioneer Works in Brooklyn. The event brought together artists including Maggie Rogers, Sheryl Crow, St. Vincent, and Mark Ronson to celebrate the ACLU\u2019s ongoing civil liberties initiatives and to urge attendees to get involved."}}],"featured_cases_section":{"enable_featured_cases":false,"title":"Featured Cases","description":"","featured_cases":null},"action":[148398],"issues":[46373],"related_content_cases":"","related_content_documents":"","related_content_publications":"","related_affiliates":"","content_layout":"standard","theme":"light","drupal_nid":""},"yoast_head":"\nAmerican Civil Liberties Union<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Revisit the year\u2019s defining moments in photos, from nationwide rallies to major Supreme Court decisions.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The ACLU\u2019s Year In Photos\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Revisit the year\u2019s defining moments in photos, from nationwide rallies to major Supreme Court decisions.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.aclu.org\/news\/civil-liberties\/through-the-lens-of-liberty-the-aclus-year-in-photos\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"American Civil Liberties Union\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-12-09T16:52:55+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-17T19:05:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/assets.aclu.org\/live\/uploads\/2025\/12\/our-year-in-photos-social.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"628\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Johanna Silver\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/assets.aclu.org\/live\/uploads\/2025\/12\/our-year-in-photos-social.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@aclu\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@aclu\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.aclu.org\/news\/civil-liberties\/through-the-lens-of-liberty-the-aclus-year-in-photos\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.aclu.org\/news\/civil-liberties\/through-the-lens-of-liberty-the-aclus-year-in-photos\",\"name\":\"The ACLU\u2019s Year In Photos\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.aclu.org\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-09T16:52:55+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-17T19:05:43+00:00\",\"description\":\"Revisit the year\u2019s defining moments in photos, from nationwide rallies to major Supreme Court decisions.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.aclu.org\/news\/civil-liberties\/through-the-lens-of-liberty-the-aclus-year-in-photos\"]}],\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.aclu.org\/#\/schema\/person\/johanna-silver-2\",\"name\":\"Johanna Silver\",\"jobTitle\":\"Digital Producer, ACLU\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.aclu.org\/bio\/johanna-silver-2\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.aclu.org\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.aclu.org\/\",\"name\":\"American Civil Liberties Union\",\"description\":\"The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union \u2014 beyond one person, party, or side. 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