At Liberty is a weekly podcast that explores the most pressing civil rights and civil liberties questions of our time. Catch new episodes on Thursday at 9am ET.
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September 26, 2019
What to Expect From the Coming Supreme Court Term
Another Supreme Court session is upon us, with the court set to reconvene in October following its summer recess. On the docket for the new session are cases that have important implications for LGBTQ rights, criminal justice, immigration, and more. David Cole, the legal director of the ACLU and an...
What to Expect From the Coming Supreme Court TermSeptember 26, 2019
What to Expect From the Coming Supreme Court Term
What to Expect From the Coming Supreme Court TermAnother Supreme Court session is upon us, with the court set to reconvene in October following its summer recess. On the docket for the new session are cases that have important implications for LGBTQ rights,...
September 19, 2019
Gavin Grimm, From Teen Activist to Trans Icon
In 2014, Gavin Grimm was a high school sophomore in Gloucester County, Virginia. He had recently come out as transgender to school administrators who were initially supportive. However, following protests from members of the community, the school board reversed course and banned him from using the boy's restroom. That kicked...
Gavin Grimm, From Teen Activist to Trans IconSeptember 19, 2019
Gavin Grimm, From Teen Activist to Trans Icon
Gavin Grimm, From Teen Activist to Trans IconIn 2014, Gavin Grimm was a high school sophomore in Gloucester County, Virginia. He had recently come out as transgender to school administrators who were initially supportive. However, following protests from members of the community,...
September 11, 2019
How the War on Terror Corrupted America
Eighteen years after the attacks of September 11, 2001, a trial date was recently set for the men accused of plotting those attacks. But what has taken so long? And is a fair trial even possible? On this anniversary of 9/11, we're replaying an interview from last year with Hina...
How the War on Terror Corrupted AmericaEighteen years after the attacks of September 11, 2001, a trial date was recently set for the men accused of plotting those attacks. But what has taken so long? And is a fair trial even...
September 5, 2019
The Anti-Immigration Fervor That Swept America in the Early 20th Century
Starting with the Muslim ban, the Trump presidency has consistently unleashed a barrage of new policies designed to keep immigrants out of the country. But while these restrictions might seem unprecedented, anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies have deep roots in our country. Today’s guest is Daniel Okrent, the award-winning writer of...
The Anti-Immigration Fervor That Swept America in the Early 20th CenturySeptember 5, 2019
The Anti-Immigration Fervor That Swept America in the Early 20th Century
The Anti-Immigration Fervor That Swept America in the Early 20th CenturyStarting with the Muslim ban, the Trump presidency has consistently unleashed a barrage of new policies designed to keep immigrants out of the country. But while these restrictions might seem unprecedented, anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies...
August 29, 2019
A Former Prosecutor's 'Radical Thoughts' on the System Set Up to Control Black Men
This week, we’re replaying an interview from earlier this year with Paul Butler, a scholar, former prosecutor and the author of "Chokehold: Policing Black Men." When we first spoke with Paul, his book had been banned in Arizona prisons. Arizona has since lifted its ban, and incarcerated people in Arizona...
A Former Prosecutor's 'Radical Thoughts' on the System Set Up to Control Black MenAugust 29, 2019
A Former Prosecutor's 'Radical Thoughts' on the System Set Up to Control Black Men
A Former Prosecutor's 'Radical Thoughts' on the System Set Up to Control Black MenThis week, we’re replaying an interview from earlier this year with Paul Butler, a scholar, former prosecutor and the author of "Chokehold: Policing Black Men." When we first spoke with Paul, his book had been...
August 22, 2019
Nikole Hannah-Jones on The 1619 Project’s Reframing of American History
Four hundred years ago this month, more than 20 enslaved Africans arrived in what was then the British colony of Virginia. To mark the anniversary of the beginning of slavery in America, The New York Times launched a major initiative called The 1619 Project. Through a special issue of the...
Nikole Hannah-Jones on The 1619 Project’s Reframing of American HistoryAugust 22, 2019
Nikole Hannah-Jones on The 1619 Project’s Reframing of American History
Nikole Hannah-Jones on The 1619 Project’s Reframing of American HistoryFour hundred years ago this month, more than 20 enslaved Africans arrived in what was then the British colony of Virginia. To mark the anniversary of the beginning of slavery in America, The New York...
August 15, 2019
Comedian W. Kamau Bell on Making Sense of America
This week's guest is W. Kamau Bell: standup comedian, prolific podcaster, and host of his own show on CNN, "United Shades of America." He's known for his incisive socio-political commentary and activism, including on behalf of the ACLU, where he serves as an artist ambassador for racial justice. He joins...
Comedian W. Kamau Bell on Making Sense of AmericaAugust 15, 2019
Comedian W. Kamau Bell on Making Sense of America
Comedian W. Kamau Bell on Making Sense of AmericaThis week's guest is W. Kamau Bell: standup comedian, prolific podcaster, and host of his own show on CNN, "United Shades of America." He's known for his incisive socio-political commentary and activism, including on behalf...
August 8, 2019
How One Woman Took on Misogyny and Sexual Violence in the Military
Anuradha Bhagwati has long been at the forefront of the fight for gender equality within the military. She is a former Marine Corps captain, a three-time ACLU client, and founder of the Service Women's Action Network, a lead plaintiff in a groundbreaking lawsuit challenging the military's ban on women serving...
How One Woman Took on Misogyny and Sexual Violence in the MilitaryAugust 8, 2019
How One Woman Took on Misogyny and Sexual Violence in the Military
How One Woman Took on Misogyny and Sexual Violence in the MilitaryAnuradha Bhagwati has long been at the forefront of the fight for gender equality within the military. She is a former Marine Corps captain, a three-time ACLU client, and founder of the Service Women's Action...
August 1, 2019
Obstacles and Opportunities in the Fight for Police Accountability
Last month, protests erupted when the Justice Department announced it would not bring civil rights charges against the NYPD officer who put Eric Garner in a fatal chokehold in 2014. Mr. Garner's death was one among countless examples of deadly police violence toward Black and brown people. Yet despite a...
Obstacles and Opportunities in the Fight for Police AccountabilityAugust 1, 2019
Obstacles and Opportunities in the Fight for Police Accountability
Obstacles and Opportunities in the Fight for Police AccountabilityLast month, protests erupted when the Justice Department announced it would not bring civil rights charges against the NYPD officer who put Eric Garner in a fatal chokehold in 2014. Mr. Garner's death was one...
July 25, 2019
The Constitution Gets the Broadway Treatment
Heidi Schreck is the writer and star of Broadway’s “What the Constitution Means to Me.” The play, which was nominated for two Tonys and was a Pulitzer finalist, was inspired by Schreck’s experience as a teenager competing in debates about the Constitution at American Legion halls across the country. As...
The Constitution Gets the Broadway TreatmentJuly 25, 2019
The Constitution Gets the Broadway Treatment
The Constitution Gets the Broadway TreatmentHeidi Schreck is the writer and star of Broadway’s “What the Constitution Means to Me.” The play, which was nominated for two Tonys and was a Pulitzer finalist, was inspired by Schreck’s experience as a...