What is the ACLU?
The American Civil Liberties Union, or ACLU, is an institution with roots that can be traced back to the early 1920s, when a group of lawyers led by founding member Roger Baldwin joined forces to form the national organization. The ACLU promotes individual rights and liberties through legal advocacy, lobbying, and educational outreach. Its mission is to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and the laws of the United States.
The ACLU stands up for the most vulnerable members of society and focuses on essential issues, such as civil rights, due process of law, privacy, free speech/expression, reproductive freedom, LGBT rights, prisoners’ rights, and racial equality. Furthermore, in an effort to ensure greater access to justice, the ACLU provides legal assistance to individuals who cannot otherwise afford it. It carries out its legal services free of charge.
What the ACLU Does Today
Today, the ACLU is a nationwide, non-profit organization that works in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam. It has more than 2 million members, activists, and supporters as well as advocates, attorneys, and experts in a broad array of fields including law, technology, health care, education, and more.
The organization works across multiple levels – national, state, and local – to protect civil liberties and to ensure justice and equity. It engages in both legislative and legal battles to protect a wide range of civil liberties, from electoral reform to criminal justice, from LGBT rights to asylum seekers, and from First Amendment rights to voting rights. The ACLU also provides legal advice and representation for those who cannot otherwise afford it. In addition, the organization works to increase public awareness and engagement in these issues.
How Can You Support ACLU?
The ACLU relies heavily on donations to continue its work. By becoming a member, donating money, or volunteering, you can support the ACLU’s important mission of preserving individual rights and liberties. Its members are its most important asset, and they are the core of what makes the ACLU strong.
You can also contact your local ACLU affiliate to find out more about the organization, how to get involved, and how to support its initiatives. Additionally, the ACLU provides educational resources, such as books, podcasts, and articles, to help those interested in learning more about civil liberties and how to defend them.
No matter how you choose to support the ACLU, it is essential to remember that it is only through the continued risk and dedication of its members and supporters that this organization can continue to make a difference in our country. With their help, the ACLU is able to protect our most fundamental freedoms and ensure justice for all.