In November 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection launched Operation Charlotte's Web, a mass immigration enforcement action that spread across Charlotte, Watauga County, Wake County, and beyond. What followed was a defining moment for North Carolina communities.

In this episode, host Olivia Neal speaks with Sammy Salkin, Senior Policy Strategist at the ACLU of North Carolina, about the coalition response to CBP's actions, the power of community organizing, and what it means to build real safety together. From rapid response coordination to long-term policy advocacy, hear how North Carolinians came together to protect their neighbors during extraordinary times.

In this episode of This is How, host Olivia Neal sits down with UNC student organizers Netra Parikh (she/her) and Lucia Paulsen (they/them) to explore what it means to lead activism on a college campus in today’s political climate.

As co-presidents of the Campus Y at UNC–Chapel Hill, Netra and Lucia are on the front lines of student-led movements for reproductive justice, racial equity, and free speech. They discuss the history of student organizing at UNC, the risks they face—from institutional backlash to public harassment—and the power of building coalitions in the face of rising opposition.

With humor, honesty, and urgency, they reflect on what it takes to push back against university and state forces while building a future where youth-led movements can thrive.

Listen now to hear how student activism continues to shape North Carolina and beyond.

Support and follow Campus Y at @campusyunc (https://www.instagram.com/campusyunc)

What happens when young people are given the space and support to express themselves through art? In this episode, Olivia Neal talks with Genna Marshall, senior communications strategist at the ACLU of North Carolina, about The Future Echoes zine project. This youth-led anthology invites young creators to share their thoughts, experiences, and visions for the future through visual art and writing.

They explore the roots of zine-making, the value of analog creativity in a digital world, and why artistic expression is a powerful tool for social change. From personal reflections on voting to creative responses to crisis and community, The Future Echoes captures what young people are feeling right now.

If you believe art can spark conversation and build movements, this episode is for you.

🖌️ Learn more or submit at acluofnczines.org

This Is How is presented by ACLU of North Carolina

What happens when families of detainees with mental illness are left to navigate a broken system on their own? In this episode, Ms. Jama Hinson shares her personal story as a mother fighting for her son’s rights within the legal system, shedding light on the urgent need for improved communication and emergency treatment for Incompetent to Proceed (ITP) detainees. ACLU of NC Attorney Michele Delgado also joins the conversation to expose the harmful effects of prolonged detention on the mental health and safety of these pretrial detainees and expounds on the potential legal ramifications of these effects. Listen to this powerful conversation to find out more about the importance of timely evaluations and restorative services, how the mistreatment of ITP detainees impacts the community, how the ACLU of NC is working to combat systemic neglect, and the need to advocate for systemic reform and increased investment in mental health care to ensure fair treatment for all detainees.

Today's episode of This is How is hosted by Ashia Skye (she/her), presented by ACLU of North Carolina, and produced by Earfluence.

How does the criminalization of unhoused people infringe upon the rights of everyone? Join host Ashia Skye for a conversation with Muneeba Talukder, a dedicated staff attorney at the ACLU of North Carolina, Sarah Norris, an advocate and organizer with a background in education justice and mutual aid, and Pip Flickinger, a passionate community advocate with personal experience of housing insecurity, as they all share their experiences and stories of their commitment to combating the criminalization of unhoused people during a protest demonstration in Asheville, NC. Learn more about the unjust nature of laws that criminalize basic survival activities, which further marginalize unhoused individuals and deter activism by imposing punitive measures. Learn how these laws contribute to the dehumanization and second-class citizenship of unhoused people, and why it's important to advocate for community solidarity and robust networks to challenge harmful policies. Tune in for insights into the policy-driven nature of criminalizing unhoused people, advice on advocating for empathy-driven narrative changes, and how you can support those most affected.

Today's episode of This is How is hosted by Ashia Skye (she/her), presented by ACLU of North Carolina, and produced by Earfluence.

Welcome back. Last time, we explored reproductive justice and challenges in accessing abortion care, especially in North Carolina. Today, we're zooming in on the recent storm caused by Senate Bill 20, the 'monster abortion ban,' exacerbating existing struggles for abortion access.

Joining us is Dr. Beverly Gray, an OBGYN and advocate deeply entrenched in the fight for reproductive rights in North Carolina. Dr. Gray will provide insights into the hurdles faced by providers and patients amidst these restrictive measures.

Now, North Carolina wasn't exactly a walk in the park for abortion access before SB20, but this bill took things up a notch, especially for folks in rural areas. Legal battles ensued, and while we scored some wins, the official abortion rates still took a hit. And it's not just North Carolina feeling the heat. Similar restrictive vibes are popping up all over the South post-Dobbs v. Jackson.

Let's get into this discussion as Dr. Gray sheds light on the realities faced by those navigating the complex landscape of abortion access in North Carolina.

About our Guests:
Dr. Beverly Gray is a practicing OBGYN and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Duke and has been both an abortion provider and fierce advocate for reproductive freedom in NC.

Today's episode of This is How is hosted by Olivia Neal (she/her), presented by ACLU of North Carolina, and produced by Earfluence.

How can we ensure reproductive rights for all? Join host Olivia Neal (she/her) and guests Maya Hart (all pronouns) from Sister Song and Camille Adair (all pronouns) from Carolina Abortion Fund on today's episode of "This Is How ACLU-NC" as they explore the history of reproductive justice and its impact on marginalized communities, particularly women of color.

Discover the challenges individuals encounter while seeking abortions in North Carolina and the significance of community support and resource accessibility. Learn about initiatives like the Carolina Abortion Fund, aiding those unable to afford abortion services.

In next week's episode (Part 2), Dr. Beverly Gray, an OBGYN and associate professor at Duke University, will share her insights into the challenges posed by restrictive abortion laws for medical professionals in North Carolina. Don't miss out on vital discussions and solutions to support reproductive rights. Stay tuned!

Today's episode of This is How is hosted by Olivia Neal (She/Her), presented by ACLU of North Carolina, and produced by Earfluence.

Welcome back to This is How We Protect Black Students and Students with Disabilities from Disproportionate School Discipline in which host Kalvin Benfield discusses School Resource Officers (SRO) and the ACLU NC Disorderly Conduct Report with Carlton Powell and Michele Delgado.

In Part 1, we examined an incident between Amerie, the school administration, and an aggressive SRO. We outlined what occurred, why it was inappropriate, and how often these kinds of situations happen throughout the state of North Carolina.

Today, in Part 2, we will be considering the short-term and long-term impacts that these inappropriate interactions with SROs have on students, as well as the negative effects on children when they enter into the criminal legal system. As we wrap up the conversation, Carlton and Michele will touch on some alternative solutions to SROs that could help keep kids protected, in school, and on the right track to achieve their goals.

This is How the ACLU of NC fights to keep students of color and students with disabilities safe.

About our Guests:
Michele Delgado is an alumna of North Carolina A&T State University and NCCU School of Law. With a criminal defense background and unwavering commitment to the fight for social justice, Michele works to address emerging and ongoing civil rights issues through complex litigation, community education, and integrated advocacy.

Carlton Powell serves as the Supervising Attorney for The Right to Education Project at Legal Aid of North Carolina. With a strong commitment to justice and education, Powell advocates tirelessly to ensure every individual's right to quality education is protected. Armed with extensive legal expertise and a passion for social equality, he works to dismantle barriers that hinder access to education for marginalized communities.

Today's episode of This is How is hosted by Kalvin Benfield (he/him), presented by ACLU of North Carolina, and produced by Earfluence.