A More Perfect District Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/a-more-perfect-district A More Perfect District is a podcast from the ACLU of D.C. focused on the civil rights and civil liberties issues shaping Washington, D.C. We break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what it will take to protect our rights. Our work spans the courts, the legislature, and the street, all aimed at building a more just and free D.C. © 2026 American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia 8b3e7903-81ea-5b0d-9e74-1bc8db1d34f0 yes en Mon, 27 Jul 2026 07:14:01 -0700 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 07:14:30 -0700 https://img.transistorcdn.com/crN1JgUfC0OSNmqC6VzOQWNL9Oe3d7kPCaP4nJJK8Rs/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS82Yjlh/MDQ0ZmQ1ZDc3YzQw/NjdmNmExZmY0NTg2/YWIyNi5wbmc.jpg A More Perfect District episodic American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia A More Perfect District is a podcast from the ACLU of D.C. focused on the civil rights and civil liberties issues shaping Washington, D.C. We break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what it will take to protect our rights. Our work spans the courts, the legislature, and the street, all aimed at building a more just and free D.C. A More Perfect District is a podcast from the ACLU of D.C. American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia No No Powering Real Public Safety 4 4 Powering Real Public Safety full 210db46a-2bb9-47b5-8719-5560380df350 https://share.transistor.fm/s/afeea35a In this episode, we cover what you need to know about the public safety issues impacting our District. 

Host Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director, is joined by Peggy Ramin, Policy Counsel, to discuss what real public safety looks like and how D.C. leaders can uplift prevention, instead of over-relying on policing and incarceration 


Later, Yass is joined by James Carpenter of the Free Minds Book Club. Here they discuss why D.C. needs to support reentry programs, the importance of support services to the formerly incarcerated, and what matters most to this community.

]]> In this episode, we cover what you need to know about the public safety issues impacting our District. 

Host Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director, is joined by Peggy Ramin, Policy Counsel, to discuss what real public safety looks like and how D.C. leaders can uplift prevention, instead of over-relying on policing and incarceration 


Later, Yass is joined by James Carpenter of the Free Minds Book Club. Here they discuss why D.C. needs to support reentry programs, the importance of support services to the formerly incarcerated, and what matters most to this community.

]]> Mon, 27 Jul 2026 07:04:38 -0700 American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia 2045 In this episode, we cover what you need to know about the public safety issues impacting our District. 

Host Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director, is joined by Peggy Ramin, Policy Counsel, to discuss what real public safety looks like and how D.C. leaders can uplift prevention, instead of over-relying on policing and incarceration 


Later, Yass is joined by James Carpenter of the Free Minds Book Club. Here they discuss why D.C. needs to support reentry programs, the importance of support services to the formerly incarcerated, and what matters most to this community.

]]> civil rights, mass incarceration, public justice, D.C., DC, Washington D.C. No Satire Isn’t a Crime: Defending the Right to Protest the National Guard 3 3 Satire Isn’t a Crime: Defending the Right to Protest the National Guard full 12d1671c-cdaf-4dee-801f-3a1b534a2da9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f370e891 Can the Government Punish You for Mocking It?  In this episode, host Amber Taylor, Strategic Communications Director at ACLU-D.C., sits down with our client Sam O’Hara to discuss his detention by D.C. police after he recorded National Guard members patrolling Washington, D.C., while playing The Imperial March from Star Wars. Sam shares what happened that day, why he believes his rights were violated, and what his lawsuit, O’Hara v. Beck, could mean for free speech and the right to challenge authority. 

]]> Can the Government Punish You for Mocking It?  In this episode, host Amber Taylor, Strategic Communications Director at ACLU-D.C., sits down with our client Sam O’Hara to discuss his detention by D.C. police after he recorded National Guard members patrolling Washington, D.C., while playing The Imperial March from Star Wars. Sam shares what happened that day, why he believes his rights were violated, and what his lawsuit, O’Hara v. Beck, could mean for free speech and the right to challenge authority. 

]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2026 07:10:17 -0700 American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia 1012 Can the Government Punish You for Mocking It?  In this episode, host Amber Taylor, Strategic Communications Director at ACLU-D.C., sits down with our client Sam O’Hara to discuss his detention by D.C. police after he recorded National Guard members patrolling Washington, D.C., while playing The Imperial March from Star Wars. Sam shares what happened that day, why he believes his rights were violated, and what his lawsuit, O’Hara v. Beck, could mean for free speech and the right to challenge authority. 

]]> First Amendment, free speech, right to protest, National Guard, protected speech, political satire, protesting, DC, Washington DC, ACLU, Sam Ohara No The Power to Protest 2 2 The Power to Protest full d0edc0fe-222c-4591-9ef0-8a2ad5500983 https://share.transistor.fm/s/dbdbb48b In this episode, we cover why protesting in D.C. is powerful, and what people need to know as they take to the streets.


Host Monica Hopkins, Executive Director of the ACLU-D.C., is joined by Art Spitzer, Senior Counsel, to talk about the history of protest in D.C., the rights of protesters, why protest is needed for a healthy democracy.

]]> In this episode, we cover why protesting in D.C. is powerful, and what people need to know as they take to the streets.


Host Monica Hopkins, Executive Director of the ACLU-D.C., is joined by Art Spitzer, Senior Counsel, to talk about the history of protest in D.C., the rights of protesters, why protest is needed for a healthy democracy.

]]> Mon, 22 Jun 2026 07:06:46 -0700 American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia 1110 In this episode, we cover why protesting in D.C. is powerful, and what people need to know as they take to the streets.


Host Monica Hopkins, Executive Director of the ACLU-D.C., is joined by Art Spitzer, Senior Counsel, to talk about the history of protest in D.C., the rights of protesters, why protest is needed for a healthy democracy.

]]> No Your Vote is Your Power - Inside Ranked Choice Voting and the D.C. Primary Election 1 1 Your Vote is Your Power - Inside Ranked Choice Voting and the D.C. Primary Election full 11ed709f-857b-4ff7-8bfe-461130a503b1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/b967824b In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about voting in Washington, D.C. Whether you plan to vote by mail, use a drop box, or cast your ballot in person, we’ll help you make a plan to vote with confidence. Host Amber Taylor, Strategic Communications Director, is joined by Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director, to discuss responses from candidates who completed the ACLU of D.C.’s primary election questionnaire and what voters should know heading into the election. 

We also speak with Brandon Bush-Thompson of the League of Women Voters of DC about ranked-choice voting, how it works in D.C., and practical guidance to help voters cast their ballots successfully. 

]]> In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about voting in Washington, D.C. Whether you plan to vote by mail, use a drop box, or cast your ballot in person, we’ll help you make a plan to vote with confidence. Host Amber Taylor, Strategic Communications Director, is joined by Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director, to discuss responses from candidates who completed the ACLU of D.C.’s primary election questionnaire and what voters should know heading into the election. 

We also speak with Brandon Bush-Thompson of the League of Women Voters of DC about ranked-choice voting, how it works in D.C., and practical guidance to help voters cast their ballots successfully. 

]]> Wed, 27 May 2026 05:20:39 -0700 American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia 3155 In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about voting in Washington, D.C. Whether you plan to vote by mail, use a drop box, or cast your ballot in person, we’ll help you make a plan to vote with confidence. Host Amber Taylor, Strategic Communications Director, is joined by Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director, to discuss responses from candidates who completed the ACLU of D.C.’s primary election questionnaire and what voters should know heading into the election. 

We also speak with Brandon Bush-Thompson of the League of Women Voters of DC about ranked-choice voting, how it works in D.C., and practical guidance to help voters cast their ballots successfully. 

]]> voting, 2026 election, ranked choice voting, rcv, ranked-choice voting, DC election, voting rights No