What is the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)?

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to defending and protecting individuals’ rights and liberties secured by the United States Constitution, federal laws, and state laws. From its establishment in 1920, The American Civil Liberties Union has been at the forefront of many of our nation’s most significant civil liberties struggles and is America’s foremost defender of constitutional rights, including the rights of all people to due process, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to privacy, and more.

The Constitution is a living document

The U.S. Constitution is a living document. As society and times change, the interpretation of the document must evolve. The ACLU has been vitally important in ensuring that the Constitution is appropriately and effectively interpreted for a modern context. Its mission is to protect individual liberties and freedoms through advocacy, litigation, and education. This includes filing lawsuits to ensure that the rights of all Americans are protected, educating the public about its civil liberties, and also teaching people how to effectively protect and advance their own civil liberties.

What does the ACLU Do?

The ACLU is a powerful force for justice and equality. It advocates for equal rights, particularly those denied to minorities, women, LGBTQ people, immigrants, and political dissidents. In addition to advocating for civil liberties in court, the ACLU also lobbies legislatures and other elected officials, encouraging them to pass laws that conform to constitutional principles. The ACLU also engages in public education campaigns to make sure the public is aware of their civil liberties, as well as advocacy to strengthen civil liberties laws and policies. Additionally, the ACLU takes an active role in monitoring government activities, such as surveillance and security operations, to make sure they do not infringe on civil rights.

The ACLU is a very powerful force for justice and equality. Its important work is a continuous reminder of the importance of the Bill of Rights and the ongoing importance of advocating for our civil liberties.