What is the ACLU?

2021-05-24

what

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a non-profit organization founded in 1920 to defend the rights of all Americans, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin. The ACLU has been at the forefront of many landmark legal battles, including the cases that led to the Supreme Court decisions legalizing same-sex marriage and striking down laws that discriminated against religious minorities. The ACLU is a powerful voice for justice and equality, and it is committed to upholding the principles of the U.S. Constitution.

The ACLU's mission is to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and to take action to end discrimination, defend free speech, protect privacy, promote equality, and ensure that all Americans have equal access to justice. The ACLU has over 1.5 million members and supporters nationwide, and it is the nation's largest civil liberties organization.

The ACLU has a long history of fighting for justice and equality. Some of the ACLU's most notable accomplishments include:

what is the aclu

The ACLU is a non-profit organization founded in 1920 to defend the rights of all Americans, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.

Defends civil liberties
Non-profit organization
Founded in 1920
Over 1.5 million members
Nation's largest civil liberties organization
Fights for justice and equality
Has a long history of fighting for justice and equality

The ACLU has been at the forefront of many landmark legal battles, including the cases that led to the Supreme Court decisions legalizing same-sex marriage and striking down laws that discriminated against religious minorities.

Defends civil liberties

The ACLU defends civil liberties by fighting for the rights of all Americans, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin. The ACLU has been at the forefront of many landmark legal battles, including the cases that led to the Supreme Court decisions legalizing same-sex marriage and striking down laws that discriminated against religious minorities.

Free speech
The ACLU defends the right to free speech, which is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The ACLU fights against censorship and other attempts to restrict free speech.
Religious freedom
The ACLU defends the right to religious freedom, which is also protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The ACLU fights against discrimination against religious minorities and fights for the right of all Americans to practice their religion freely.
Due process of law
The ACLU defends the right to due process of law, which is guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. The ACLU fights against illegal searches and seizures, and it fights to ensure that all Americans receive a fair trial.
Equal protection under the law
The ACLU defends the right to equal protection under the law, which is guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The ACLU fights against discrimination based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.

These are just a few of the many civil liberties that the ACLU defends. The ACLU is a powerful voice for justice and equality, and it is committed to upholding the principles of the U.S. Constitution.

Non-profit organization

The ACLU is a non-profit organization, which means that it does not make a profit. The ACLU relies on donations from its members and supporters to fund its work. This allows the ACLU to remain independent and to fight for the rights of all Americans, regardless of their ability to pay.

Donations
The ACLU relies on donations from its members and supporters to fund its work. Donations can be made online, by mail, or by phone.
Membership
The ACLU also has a membership program. Members receive a variety of benefits, including a subscription to the ACLU's magazine, discounts on ACLU merchandise, and the opportunity to vote in the ACLU's annual elections.
Grants
The ACLU also receives grants from foundations and other organizations. These grants help to support the ACLU's work on a variety of issues.
Investments
The ACLU also has a small investment portfolio. The income from these investments helps to support the ACLU's work.

The ACLU is a financially sound organization. The ACLU has a strong track record of using its resources effectively to fight for the rights of all Americans.

Founded in 1920

The ACLU was founded in 1920 by a group of lawyers, journalists, and activists who were concerned about the erosion of civil liberties in the United States. The ACLU's founders believed that the U.S. Constitution was the best guarantee of individual rights and liberties, and they were determined to fight for the rights of all Americans, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.

Roger Baldwin
Roger Baldwin was one of the ACLU's founders and its first director. Baldwin was a tireless advocate for civil liberties, and he played a key role in shaping the ACLU's mission and values.
Crystal Eastman
Crystal Eastman was another one of the ACLU's founders. Eastman was a lawyer, journalist, and suffragist. She was a strong advocate for women's rights and other social justice issues.
Felix Frankfurter
Felix Frankfurter was a law professor at Harvard University and a future Supreme Court justice. Frankfurter was a strong supporter of the ACLU, and he served on the ACLU's board of directors for many years.
Walter Pollak
Walter Pollak was a lawyer and a journalist. Pollak was one of the ACLU's founders, and he served as the ACLU's first treasurer.

The ACLU's founders were a diverse group of individuals who shared a common belief in the importance of civil liberties. The ACLU has continued to fight for the rights of all Americans for over 100 years, and it remains one of the most powerful voices for justice and equality in the United States.

Over 1.5 million members

The ACLU has over 1.5 million members and supporters nationwide, making it the nation's largest civil liberties organization. The ACLU's members come from all walks of life, and they are united by their belief in the importance of civil liberties for all Americans.

The ACLU's members play a vital role in the organization's work. Members provide financial support, volunteer their time, and advocate for the ACLU's causes. Members also help to elect ACLU-endorsed candidates to public office.

The ACLU's members are the backbone of the organization. They are the ones who make it possible for the ACLU to fight for the rights of all Americans, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.

Here are some ways that ACLU members make a difference:

They provide financial support, which allows the ACLU to hire lawyers, lobbyists, and other staff to fight for civil liberties.
They volunteer their time to help the ACLU with a variety of tasks, such as organizing events, collecting signatures for petitions, and writing letters to elected officials.
They advocate for the ACLU's causes by talking to their friends and family members about civil liberties issues, writing letters to the editor, and calling their elected officials.
They help to elect ACLU-endorsed candidates to public office. ACLU-endorsed candidates are committed to protecting civil liberties for all Americans.

If you are concerned about the state of civil liberties in the United States, you can join the ACLU today. Your membership will help the ACLU to continue fighting for the rights of all Americans.

The ACLU is a powerful voice for justice and equality, and it is making a difference in the lives of millions of Americans. By joining the ACLU, you can help to make a difference too.

Nation's largest civil liberties organization

The ACLU is the nation's largest civil liberties organization, with over 1.5 million members and supporters nationwide. The ACLU has been fighting for the rights of all Americans for over 100 years, and it has a long history of fighting for justice and equality.

Defending civil liberties
The ACLU defends civil liberties by fighting for the rights of all Americans, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin. The ACLU has been at the forefront of many landmark legal battles, including the cases that led to the Supreme Court decisions legalizing same-sex marriage and striking down laws that discriminated against religious minorities.
Educating the public
The ACLU educates the public about civil liberties issues through a variety of programs and initiatives. The ACLU publishes books, articles, and reports on civil liberties issues. The ACLU also conducts workshops and trainings for lawyers, journalists, and other professionals.
Advocating for change
The ACLU advocates for change by lobbying elected officials and government agencies. The ACLU also works with other organizations to build coalitions and raise awareness about civil liberties issues.
Litigating cases
The ACLU litigates cases on behalf of individuals and groups whose civil liberties have been violated. The ACLU has a team of experienced lawyers who are dedicated to fighting for justice and equality.

The ACLU is a powerful voice for justice and equality, and it is making a difference in the lives of millions of Americans. The ACLU is the nation's largest civil liberties organization, and it is committed to fighting for the rights of all Americans.

Fights for justice and equality

The ACLU fights for justice and equality for all Americans, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin. The ACLU has been at the forefront of many landmark legal battles that have expanded the rights of all Americans.

Some of the ACLU's most notable victories include:

Brown v. Board of Education (1954): The ACLU represented the plaintiffs in this landmark case, which challenged the segregation of public schools. The Supreme Court ruled that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional, and this decision helped to pave the way for the civil rights movement.
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963): The ACLU represented Clarence Gideon, a Florida prisoner who was denied a lawyer in his criminal trial. The Supreme Court ruled that all criminal defendants have the right to a lawyer, regardless of their ability to pay.
Roe v. Wade (1973): The ACLU represented Norma McCorvey, a pregnant woman who challenged the constitutionality of Texas's abortion law. The Supreme Court ruled that women have the right to have an abortion, and this decision has been upheld in subsequent cases.
Obergefell v. Hodges (2015): The ACLU represented several same-sex couples who challenged the constitutionality of state laws that prohibited same-sex marriage. The Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry, and this decision was a major victory for LGBTQ rights.

These are just a few examples of the many ways that the ACLU has fought for justice and equality for all Americans. The ACLU is a powerful voice for justice, and it is making a difference in the lives of millions of Americans.

If you are concerned about the state of justice and equality in the United States, you can join the ACLU today. Your membership will help the ACLU to continue fighting for the rights of all Americans.

Has a long history of fighting for justice and equality

The ACLU has a long history of fighting for justice and equality for all Americans. The ACLU was founded in 1920 by a group of lawyers, journalists, and activists who were concerned about the erosion of civil liberties in the United States. The ACLU's founders believed that the U.S. Constitution was the best guarantee of individual rights and liberties, and they were determined to fight for the rights of all Americans, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.

Over the years, the ACLU has fought for justice and equality in many different ways. The ACLU has:

Litigated landmark cases: The ACLU has litigated many landmark cases that have expanded the rights of all Americans. Some of these cases include Brown v. Board of Education, which challenged the segregation of public schools; Gideon v. Wainwright, which established the right to counsel for criminal defendants; and Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion.
Lobbied elected officials: The ACLU has lobbied elected officials to pass laws that protect civil liberties. For example, the ACLU lobbied for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Educated the public: The ACLU has educated the public about civil liberties issues through a variety of programs and initiatives. The ACLU publishes books, articles, and reports on civil liberties issues. The ACLU also conducts workshops and trainings for lawyers, journalists, and other professionals.

The ACLU's work has made a real difference in the lives of millions of Americans. The ACLU has helped to secure the rights of free speech, religious freedom, due process of law, and equal protection under the law for all Americans.

The ACLU is a powerful voice for justice and equality, and it is making a difference in the lives of millions of Americans. If you are concerned about the state of justice and equality in the United States, you can join the ACLU today. Your membership will help the ACLU to continue fighting for the rights of all Americans.

FAQ

What is the ACLU?

The ACLU is a non-profit organization founded in 1920 to defend the rights of all Americans, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.

Question: What does the ACLU do?

Answer: The ACLU fights for justice and equality for all Americans by:

Litigating landmark cases
Lobbying elected officials
Educating the public

Question: What are some of the ACLU's most notable accomplishments?

Answer: Some of the ACLU's most notable accomplishments include:

Brown v. Board of Education (1954): The ACLU represented the plaintiffs in this landmark case, which challenged the segregation of public schools.
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963): The ACLU represented Clarence Gideon, a Florida prisoner who was denied a lawyer in his criminal trial.
Roe v. Wade (1973): The ACLU represented Norma McCorvey, a pregnant woman who challenged the constitutionality of Texas's abortion law.

Question: How can I support the ACLU?

Answer: You can support the ACLU by:

Becoming a member
Donating to the ACLU
Volunteering your time
Advocating for the ACLU's causes

Question: Where can I learn more about the ACLU?

Answer: You can learn more about the ACLU by:

Visiting the ACLU's website
Reading the ACLU's blog
Following the ACLU on social media

Question: How can I contact the ACLU?

Answer: You can contact the ACLU by:

Calling the ACLU's national office
Emailing the ACLU
Writing to the ACLU

Question: What are the ACLU's priorities for the future?

Answer: The ACLU's priorities for the future include:

Defending civil liberties in the digital age
Fighting for racial justice
Protecting the rights of immigrants
Ensuring access to affordable healthcare

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If you are interested in learning more about the ACLU or getting involved in its work, please visit the ACLU's website.

Tips

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Here are a few tips for getting involved with the ACLU and supporting its work:

Tip 1: Become a member

The best way to support the ACLU is to become a member. Members receive a variety of benefits, including a subscription to the ACLU's magazine, discounts on ACLU merchandise, and the opportunity to vote in the ACLU's annual elections. More importantly, your membership dues will help the ACLU to continue fighting for the rights of all Americans.

Tip 2: Donate to the ACLU

If you are unable to become a member, you can still support the ACLU by making a donation. Donations can be made online, by mail, or by phone. Your donation will help the ACLU to continue fighting for the rights of all Americans.

Tip 3: Volunteer your time

The ACLU has a variety of volunteer opportunities available. Volunteers can help with a variety of tasks, such as organizing events, collecting signatures for petitions, and writing letters to elected officials. If you are interested in volunteering for the ACLU, please visit the ACLU's website.

Tip 4: Advocate for the ACLU's causes

One of the best ways to support the ACLU is to advocate for its causes. You can do this by talking to your friends and family members about civil liberties issues, writing letters to the editor, and calling your elected officials. You can also follow the ACLU on social media and share its content with your friends and followers.

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The ACLU is a powerful voice for justice and equality, and it is making a difference in the lives of millions of Americans. By following these tips, you can help the ACLU to continue fighting for the rights of all Americans.

Conclusion

Summary of Main Points

The ACLU is a non-profit organization founded in 1920 to defend the rights of all Americans, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin. The ACLU has a long history of fighting for justice and equality, and it is the nation's largest civil liberties organization. The ACLU fights for justice and equality by litigating landmark cases, lobbying elected officials, and educating the public about civil liberties issues.

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