People Impacted by Discrimination

The ACLU of Nevada advances justice for people who have experienced discrimination, but we recognize we must do more to assist those in need of our support. Those who have experienced discrimination because of race, color, religion/creed, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, and/or any other attributes deserve our support when issues of systemic
injustice arises.

We continue to advance racial justice via a number of actions, including both litigation and policy efforts to address the systemic inequities that impact people of color in numerous settings. In 2020, we won a ballot initiative campaign to amend the Nevada Constitution to remove the discriminatory definition of marriage. We also continue to push for equal treatment of women under the law and will be advocating for the Equal Rights Amendment in 2022.

The ACLU of Nevada will continue to advocate for people impacted by systemic discrimination and center our work around the issues impacting people in our community.

RECENT ACTIONS

The Latest

News & Commentary

Photo of the exterior of a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) building. The wall is made of square and rectangular stone tiles in shades of beige and brown. Mounted in large gold letters is the text “DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES.” A portion of a parked vehicle and tree branches are visible in the foreground.

ACLU of Nevada sues DMV to learn extent of its cooperation with ICE

The ACLU of Nevada is suing the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles for allegedly failing to provide records in accordance with state law, including correspondence with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Press Release

Lawsuit: ACLU of Nevada Sues Nevada DMV for Withholding Records Related to Communications With ICE

Redacted Records Suggest Existence of Signal Group Chats Between ICE and the Nevada DMV Alongside Potential Warrantless Disclosure of Information Possessed by DMV

Issue Areas: First Amendment, People Impacted by Discrimination

Court Cases: ACLU of Nevada v. Department of Motor Vehicles

Press Release

ACLU of Nevada to Announce Lawsuit on Government Transparency Concern Involving Cooperation With ICE

Press Conference Will Be Held at the ACLU Office and Streamed Live on Instagram and Facebook

Issue Areas: First Amendment, People Impacted by Discrimination

Court Cases: ACLU of Nevada v. LVMPD

News & Commentary

Broadacres Market reopens, vendors hope customers return

Vendors and customers who want more direction on how to handle encounters with law enforcement at the market can also take “Know Your Rights” training offered by the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada in partnership with Broadacres Marketplace.

Cases, Campaigns & Legislation

Court Case

Sep 26, 2024

Spencer v. City of Henderson (Amicus)

The ACLU of Nevada and Nevada Attorneys for Criminal Justice filed an amicus brief in Song Spencer & James Spencer v. City of Henderson, urging the Nevada Supreme Court to allow people to recover attorney’s fees as special damages in successful challenges in civil asset forfeiture cases when the government wrongfully seizes their property. Our amicus brief argues that Nevada law already allows recovery of attorney’s fees in cases when warranted, even when there is no law directly on point, and that principle should apply here, when someone is forced to sue the government to get their own property back. This case is a challenge to the constitutionality of civil forfeiture laws.

Court Case

Dec 30, 2024

Singh v. Nissan Moto Co. (Amicus)

The ACLU of Nevada filed an amicus brief urging the Nevada Supreme Court to strengthen its interpretation of the Equal Rights Amendment to prevent racial discrimination within the courts. A Batson challenge is an objection raised by a lawyer during jury selection when they believe the other side is excluding a potential juror because of their race. Under the Nevada Supreme Court decision in Dixon v. State, Batson challenges are not applicable when the excluded juror is an alternate who did not actively deliberate. Our amicus argues that the Batson process should prohibit a party from striking a juror if that party offers a race-based justification, even if that juror would have been an uncalled alternate. Ultimately, the panel of judges decided that it was a harmless error, a decision unfavorable to our amicus brief.

Court Case

Oct 08, 2024

Griffin v. LVMPD

In May 2024, Laura Griffin, a Muslim woman, was forcibly removed from her home by LVMPD during an eviction. While being arrested, Ms. Griffin explained she is Muslim and repeatedly asked for and was denied her religious head covering. During the course of her arrest, transport, and booking, Ms. Griffin requested her head covering over three dozen times. Officers not only ignored her requests but also actively denied her access to her head covering, even when it was brought to the police station by her son. The ACLU of Nevada filed a lawsuit against LVMPD for violating Ms. Griffin’s rights under the U.S. Constitution. In addition to providing damages for the harm caused to Ms. Griffin, the LVMPD adopted policies and provided training to ensure that people who are arrested are afforded religious accommodations and that such mistreatment does not happen again.

Court Case

Aug 15, 2025

ACLU of Nevada v. Department of Motor Vehicles

We’re suing the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for violating Nevada’s public records laws by refusing to release records related to their communications with ICE.