ACLU Announces Departure of Executive Director Dave Noble
Noble to join Biden Administration as Peace Corps Chief of Staff
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 26, 2021
DETROIT, Mich - The ACLU of Michigan announced the departure of Executive Director Dave Noble, who left after two years of leading the civil rights organization to join the Biden Administration as Peace Corps Chief of Staff.
During Noble’s tenure, the ACLU of Michigan successfully pushed for the passage of 18 bipartisan bills that will begin to transform our state’s criminal legal system so that fewer people are behind bars for minor offenses. The new legislation also aims to address the racial disparities in the criminal legal system that disproportionately impacts Black and Brown people. Also, under Noble’s leadership, the organization partnered with 140 organizations to launch a multi-million-dollar effort to ensure voter turnout among historically disenfranchised people. Noble also led the organization through a tumultuous period in which the ACLU shifted its work significantly to address the civil liberties and civil rights concerns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. This advocacy resulted in halting evictions and water shutoffs, as well as the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of medically vulnerable people in immigration detention at the Calhoun County Jail. To date, more than 40 people have been released from detention.
“Dave did an outstanding job leading the organization to do incredibly impactful work, and did so with compassion, respect and humility,” said ACLU of Michigan Board President Nathan Triplett. “We are grateful to have had Dave at the helm and wish him continued success in his new role with the Biden Administration.”
The Board of Directors has named Rana Elmir, who has been with the ACLU of Michigan 14 years, most recently as Deputy Director, as the Acting Executive Director. The Board will be launching a search for a permanent Executive Director.