Rights This Way

A legion of far-right activists is determined to purge school libraries of books they don't like. A huge percentage of the books they want to get rid of are about race or racism, feature people of color, or include LGBTQ characters. This is a nationwide movement, and New York is not immune. Several New York school districts are facing calls to ban books.On this episode, we talk to New York Times bestselling author Kalynn Bayron. One of Kalynn’s books, “Cinderella is Dead”, has been targeted by several book ban campaigns. She talks with us about why she wrote the story and why she thinks it’s important for students of all backgrounds to have a diverse set of books to choose from.Then we chat with an NYCLU expert about book bans in New York and legislation that’s on Gov. Hochul’s desk that would help combat them.Guests:Kalynn Bayron, New York Times and Indie bestselling authorEmma Hulse, Education Counsel, NYCLUResources:Check out Kalynn’s books: https://bookshop.org/shop/bloomsburyusaTell Gov. Hochul to sign Freedom to Read: https://action.aclu.org/send-message/fight-freedom-readMore from Emma: https://www.nyclu.org/commentary/ny-schools-are-banning-books-heres-what-you-can-do-about-itMore on Freedom to Read: https://www.nyclu.org/uploads/2024/05/Freedom-to-Read-Act-Legislative-Support-Memo-2526_04.14.25.pdfFor more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit www.nyclu.org/For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit www.nyclu.org/podcastsFollow NYCLU on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.

In its recent decision in the case, United States v. Skrmetti, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming medical care does not violate the Constitution and can remain in effect. The decision is a devastating loss for trans rights and risks emboldening other states to advance similar bans.The decision comes as the Trump administration and its allies in hostile state governments have made clear they aim to exclude transgender people from public life and eliminate access to abortion across the country.On this episode, we talk with Chase Strangio, the ACLU lawyer who argued against the Tennessee law in the Skrmetti case. He’ll explain the flawed logic behind the conservative majority’s decision, what it means and what its nationwide implications are.Then we chat with two NYCLU experts who will explain what the decision means for New Yorkers and what Gov. Hochul can do to shore up access to gender-affirming and abortion care in our state.Please download, rate, review and subscribe to rights this way. It will help more people find this podcast.Guests:Chase Strangio, Co-Director of the ACLU’s LGBT & HIV ProjectAllie Bohm, NYCLU senior policy counselJenna Lauter, NYCLU policy counselResources:Tell Gov. Hochul to sign the bills we discuss on this episode:https://action.aclu.org/send-message/protect-gender-affirming-careACLU response to Skrmetti decision:https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-lambda-legal-respond-to-supreme-court-ruling-in-u-s-v-skrmettiNYCLU response:https://www.nyclu.org/press-release/nyclu-on-supreme-court-ruling-upholding-tennessees-ban-on-gender-affirming-careFor more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit www.nyclu.org/For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit www.nyclu.org/podcastsFollow NYCLU on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.

On this episode, we hear from Mahmoud Khalil. Mahmoud is a lawful permanent resident who was kidnapped by the Trump administration and held in detention because of his advocacy for Palestinian Rights.After more than 100 days in detention, Mahmoud is finally where he belongs: at home with his family in New York City. In this episode – which is a collaboration between Rights This Way and the ACLU’s podcast, At Liberty – At Liberty host W. Kamau Bell speaks with Mahmoud about his newly reacquired freedom, fatherhood, his wife Noor and what he wants everyone to remember from his experience taking on the Trump administration.The NYCLU and ACLU are part of the legal team representing Mahmoud against Trump's unprecedented assault on his free speech.Please download, rate, review, and subscribe to Rights This Way. It will help more people find this podcast.The NYCLU and ACLU are part of Mahmoud’s legal team that includes the ACLU of New Jersey, the ACLU of Louisiana, Dratel & Lewis, the Center for Constitutional Rights, CLEAR, Van Der Hout LLP, and Washington Square Legal Services.Resources:https://www.nyclu.org/podcast/what-are-the-stakes-of-mahmoud-khalils-casehttps://www.nyclu.org/commentary/after-more-than-100-days-mahmoud-khalil-is-finally-homehttps://www.aclu.org/podcast/one-on-one-with-mahmoud-khalilFor more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit www.nyclu.org/For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit www.nyclu.org/podcastsFollow NYCLU on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.

We might not realize it, but we are swimming in a sea of what this episode’s guest calls Copaganda. The way media outlets decide what stories to cover, which experts to quote, and even what supposedly objective words to use in news stories, profoundly impact how we view the world we live in.In his book, Copaganda: How Police and the Media Manipulate Our News, our guest Alec Karakatsanis breaks down what Copaganda is, why media outlets and powerful figures deploy it, and how it shapes our understanding of crime rates, what types of crimes matter, and what the solutions are for achieving public safety.Please download, rate, review, and subscribe to Rights This Way. It will help more people find this podcast.Resources:Copaganda: https://thenewpress.org/books/copaganda/Follow Alec’s organization Civil Rights Coprs: https://civilrightscorps.org/Commentary: Hero-worship of Police is Failing Us https://www.nyclu.org/commentary/hero-worship-police-failing-usPodcast: Why Can’t We Stop Backtracking on Bail Reform? https://www.nyclu.org/podcast/s2-ep-1-why-cant-we-stop-backtracking-on-bail-reformFor more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit www.nyclu.org/For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit www.nyclu.org/podcastsFollow NYCLU on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.

Some of us might think that the fight for trans people’s right to play sports is new. But a recent book, “The Other Olympians: Fascism, Queerness, and the Making of Modern Sports” delves into the history of this debate that has lasted the better part of a century at least.Now the Trump administration is threatening states with funding cuts and other sanctions if they allow trans people to play sports on teams that align with their gender identity. It’s just one element of Trump’s full-scale war on trans people’s existence. But as we’ll hear, these types of campaigns have a deep-rooted history with ties to the Nazis.In an interview that we recorded before Trump took office, we talk with the book’s author, Michael Waters about this history and what it tells us about our current efforts to secure trans people’s rights in athletics and beyond.Please download, rate, review, and subscribe to Rights This Way. It will help more people find this podcast.Resources:The Other Olympians: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374609818/theotherolympians/NYCLU Roller Rebels case: https://www.nyclu.org/resources/campaigns-actions/campaigns/stand-trans-athletes-nassau-countyTrump’s attack on trans athletes: https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/inside-trumps-full-force-approach-to-ban-trans-athletes-and-dei-in-schools/2025/04For more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit www.nyclu.org/For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit www.nyclu.org/podcastsFollow NYCLU on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.

The Trump administration has made clear that if you dare to disagree with the president, you will be punished. That was the message when ICE agents illegally arrested and detained Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful permanent resident and recent graduate student at Columbia University, in retaliation for his advocacy for Palestinian human rights. He was separated from his wife, an American citizen, who is nine months pregnant, and shipped from New York to New Jersey and then to Louisiana. Mr. Khalil has never been accused, charged, or convicted of any crime. He was ripped from his home, detained and threatened with deportation in retaliation for his political beliefs. His case represents a clear attempt by Trump to silence dissent, chill speech, take over our universities, and attack our freedom. And he is not alone. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has revoked hundreds of visas of students and visitors for similar reasons. On this episode, we’ll talk about the details and the stakes of Mr. Khalil’s case – in which the NYCLU is co-counsel. Then in a separate segment, we’ll get into the paper-thin legal theory the Trump administration is wielding to justify detaining and trying to deport Mr. Khalil.Mr. Khalil’s legal team includes the New York Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU, the ACLU of New Jersey, the City University of New York’s CLEAR clinic, the Center for Constitutional Rights, Alina Das of Washington Square Legal Services, Van Der Hout LLP and Amy Greer of Dratel + Lewis. Image credit: Gaby Díaz-Vendrell / Columbia Daily Spectator Guests:Donna Lieberman: NYCLU Executive DirectorBobby Hodgson: NYCLU Assistant Legal DirectorAlina Das: professor, immigrant rights attorney, and co-director of the Immigrant Rights Clinic at New York University School of Law. Co-counsel on Mr. Khalil’s civil rights case. Resources:More on Mr. Khalil’s case: https://www.nyclu.org/commentary/mahmoud-khalils-case-is-a-canary-in-a-coal-minehttps://www.nyclu.org/commentary/mahmoud-khalil-is-just-the-first-victim-of-trumps-unconstitutional-crackdownMore on the NY for All Act: https://www.nyclu.org/resources/campaigns-actions/campaigns/new-york-all-actTell Gov. Hochul to sign the New York Health Information Privacy Act: https://action.aclu.org/send-message/tell-gov-hochul-safeguard-abortion-accessFor more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit www.nyclu.org/For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit www.nyclu.org/podcastsFollow NYCLU on Twitter and Instagram.

It happens like clockwork. A person suffering from serious mental health problems is accused of a heinous and tragic crime committed against a stranger. Then the calls come from law enforcement, politicians, and right-wing tabloids to lock more people up. Rinse and repeat. This all happens despite the fact that people living with mental health challenges are 11 times more likely to be the victims of crime and violence than to commit an act of violence.It is undeniably true that the status quo for how we address issues like homelessness and serious mental health challenges is untenable. But the response must not be to simply lock more people away. That doesn’t make us safer, and it doesn’t solve the root problems that lead to these devastating events.Everyone deserves to have safe and stable housing, and we should all be able to get the health care we need when we need it. But for this to happen, we need meaningful, comprehensive, and paradigm-shifting new investments in affordable housing and our mental health care system.If we don’t see these types of commitments from our state leaders soon, we are headed for incredibly dark days, especially with President Trump in office who promised to disappear homeless people into ill-defined “tent cities.”On this episode, we talk about why our current approach to dealing with homelessness and serious mental health issues doesn’t work and what needs to be done to truly fix these problems with Harvey Rosenthal, Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance for Rights and Recovery and Beth Haroules, NYCLU Senior Staff Attorney.Resources:Follow The Alliance for Rights and Recovery: https://rightsandrecovery.org/The Status Quo on Homelessness and Mental Health Care is Untenable: https://www.nyclu.org/commentary/the-status-quo-on-homelessness-and-mental-health-care-is-untenableNYCLU Kings County case: https://www.nyclu.org/court-cases/mental-hygiene-legal-services-v-nyc-hhc-challenging-squalid-conditions-abuse-brooklyns-kingsThe Dangers of Kendra’s Law: https://www.nyclu.org/resources/policy/one-pagers/dangers-kendras-lawDaniel’s Law: https://www.danielslawny.org/Links to definitions of key terms mentioned in the podcast:Intensive and Sustained Engagement Team (INSET) program: https://greatermentalhealth.org/inset/Safe Option Support Teams: https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/2023/sos/index.htmlClubhouses: https://clubhouse-intl.org/what-we-do/what-clubhouses-do/Crisis Respite Centers: https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/crisis-emergency-services-respite-centers.page

The Trump Administration has stoked widespread fear in immigrant communities across New York and around the country. Through immigration raids, and a non-stop barrage of anti-immigrant policies, Trump’s plans to tear families apart and launch the largest mass deportations in U.S. history are well underway.There’s no sugarcoating how bad the current situation is. But we should also understand that there’s a lot New York lawmakers can do to protect our immigrant neighbors. On this episode, we discuss what policies need to be put in place at the state level to help safeguard communities from Trump’s deportation dragnet. And we dig into why Trump’s mass deportations will ultimately hurt all New Yorkers.We also get a sense of how people in immigrant communities are feeling by talking to an immigrant New Yorker about her experience.Please download, share, rate, and review Rights This Way. It will help more people find this podcast.Guests:Zachary Ahmad: NYCLU Senior Policy CounselIrma Solis: NYCLU Suffolk Regional Office DirectorMrs. Melendez: volunteer for the NYCLU's education equity program in Suffolk County, Long IslandResources:Our previous episode "The Case for Open Borders" with author and journalist John Washington: https://www.nyclu.org/podcast/the-case-for-open-bordersNew York for All: https://www.nyclu.org/resources/campaigns-actions/campaigns/new-york-all-actDignity Not Detention: https://nydignitynotdetention.org/How New York Can Defend Against Trump’s Mass Deportations: https://www.nyclu.org/commentary/how-new-york-can-defend-against-trumps-mass-deportationsGet involved and volunteer with us: https://www.nyclu.org/get-involved/volunteerFor more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit www.nyclu.org/For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit www.nyclu.org/podcastsFollow NYCLU on Twitter and Instagram.