Bio
Paige Fernandez was the Policing Policy Advisor in the ACLU’s National Political Advocacy Department. Fernandez developed and implemented comprehensive strategies that advanced the ACLU’s affirmative vision for reducing the role, power, presence, and responsibilities of the police in U.S. communities. She also developed and lead nationwide advocacy around police practices.
Fernandez’s approach to policing advocacy placed communities at the forefront of the work, a practice rooted in her grassroots experience. Prior to joining the ACLU, she co-founded and directed multiple chapters of Together We Stand, a nonprofit aimed at dismantling racism, discrimination, and police brutality. She also has a master’s degree in Public Policy from Oxford University and a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College.
Featured work
![](https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2021/12/Untitled-design-pdf.jpg)
Dec 2, 2021
Supreme Court Hears Mississippi Abortion Case That Could Overturn Roe
![Protesters hold a banner calling for investment in communities, not the police](https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2021/09/Blog-Gun-Violence-400x266.jpg)
Sep 7, 2021
10 Things to Know about Combating Violence in America
![Protestors holding up a portrait of George Floyd](https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2021/05/George-Floyd-full-bleed-400x266.jpg)
May 25, 2021
The Movement to End Police Violence One Year after George Floyd's Murder
![A makeshift memorial for Daunte Wright in front of Brooklyn Center](https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2021/05/web21-Brooklyn-Center-blog-DW-Wordpress1110x740-400x266.jpg)
May 24, 2021
Brooklyn Center Provides a Model for Reexamining Public Safety
![President Trump sits at podium ready to sign executive order creating a commission to study law enforcement and justice, surrounded by officers beside him in support.](https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2021/01/Police-Reform-Header-Image-400x266.jpg)
Jan 5, 2021
Black Life Deserves More Than Meaningless Commissions
![Protestors march down Pennsylvania Avenue holding signs that read “Defund the Police” and “Stop Police Brutality” among other signs.](https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2020/06/Paige-Cosmo-Repost-Header-Image-400x266.jpg)
Jun 11, 2020
Defunding the Police Will Actually Make Us Safer
![Two Seattle police officers wearing N95 masks.](https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2020/04/WEB20-Seattle-Police-COVID-19-WordPress-1110x740-1-400x266.jpg)
Apr 7, 2020
Police are Enforcing Public Health Orders, but that Doesn't Make them Public Health Experts
![Seattle police stand guard brandishing wooden batons](https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2019/09/web19-seattle-police-batons-1160x768-400x266.jpg)
May 15, 2019
Police Unions Should Never Undermine Constitutional Policing