The ACLU is a non-profit organization that defends civil rights in the US, with a focus on freedom of expression, equality before the law, and due process. It is politically neutral and advocates for marginalized communities. The organization has a long history, including involvement in landmark cases such as Roe vs. Wade and Brown vs. The Board of Education. It is supported by over 400,000 members and grants from private organizations.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a New York-based non-profit organization that aims to protect people in the United States from civil rights abuses. As the organization is involved in over 6,000 cases each year, it is often found defending controversial or unpopular opinions. The ACLU believes that upholding constitutional rights is very important and hires 300 permanent employees in all 50 states. Additionally, the ACLU’s work is supplemented by a large number of interns and volunteers, including attorneys who offer their services free of charge.
The ACLU’s origins date back to 1915, when the American Union Against Militarism was founded. In 1917, the organization founded the American Civil Liberties Bureau to protect conscientious objectors to World War I. Roger Nash Baldwin was placed at the head of the organization, which later split from his parent over concerns about potentially illegal activity. Baldwin was persecuted by the government, which used the Espionage Act to attempt to limit his free speech rights. In 1920, the Bureau was formally reorganized into the ACLU.
Some people are unaware that the ACLU attempts to be politically neutral. The organization is likely to advocate for the Ku Klux Klan as much as it does for school desegregation. In fact, the ACLU often has multiple cases that appear to be in conflict at the same time. Because the ACLU advocates for and assists people with a wide variety of viewpoints, many people on both the left and right criticize the organization’s actions. The ACLU sues in the form of trial cases and also assists individuals with pending cases.
Three issues are extremely important to the ACLU. The first is the freedom of expression offered to all Americans through the Bill of Rights. The second is equality before the law and the third is due process for all Americans. The ACLU also deals with the right to privacy, and this became a major issue in the 2000s when the US government passed several controversial pieces of legislation that undermined this right.
Because different groups within the United States are consistently marginalized, the ACLU has a number of ongoing projects that focus on these populations. These projects include a focus on the poor, people with disabilities, women, minorities, mental health patients, immigrants, prisoners, and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Additionally, the ACLU focuses on several recurring issues including racial segregation, reproductive freedom, and voting rights. The ACLU believes speaking up for marginalized communities helps preserve the rights of all Americans.
The ACLU has been involved in a number of cases, including the Scopes Monkey Trial, Roe vs. Wade and Brown vs. The Board of Education. The organization continues to support Americans who believe their rights have been violated and is supported by more than 400,000 members, as well as grants from private organizations. Americans who think they need ACLU services should contact a local chapter of the organization.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN