American Civil Liberties Union

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American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1920 with the mission to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in the United States by the Constitution and laws of the United States. It is one of the foremost defenders of civil liberties in the United States, engaging in litigation, lobbying, and public education. The ACLU works in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the Constitution’s promise of liberty for everyone in the country.

History

The ACLU was founded in response to the Palmer Raids, a series of raids conducted by the U.S. government in the early 20th century to arrest and deport radicals, many of whom were immigrants. The organization initially focused on freedom of speech, primarily for anti-war protesters. Over the years, the ACLU has expanded its scope to include protecting the rights of all people, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion. This has included landmark cases on issues such as freedom of speech, abortion rights, LGBT rights, and racial equality.

Key Cases

The ACLU has been involved in numerous landmark legal cases, including:

- Schenck v. United States: A 1919 case in which the ACLU argued that a socialist's anti-war pamphlets were protected free speech under the First Amendment. The Supreme Court disagreed, establishing the "clear and present danger" standard. - Brown v. Board of Education: The ACLU was involved in this landmark 1954 case in which the Supreme Court declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional. - Roe v. Wade: In 1973, the ACLU was co-counsel in the case that led the Supreme Court to rule that the Constitution of the United States protects a pregnant woman's liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction. - Obergefell v. Hodges: The ACLU represented same-sex couples in the 2015 case that led to the Supreme Court's decision requiring states to recognize and license same-sex marriage.

Organization

The ACLU is made up of two separate corporate entities: the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation. The ACLU engages in lobbying and is not tax-deductible, while the ACLU Foundation focuses on litigation and public education and offers tax-deductible contributions. The organization operates nationally, with a headquarters in New York City and affiliates in every state.

Criticism and Controversy

The ACLU has faced criticism and controversy for some of its stances, particularly its defense of individuals or groups with unpopular or extremist views, such as the National Socialist Party of America in the Skokie case of 1977. Critics argue that the ACLU goes too far in defending hate speech under the guise of free speech. Supporters, however, contend that the ACLU's commitment to defending the rights guaranteed by the Constitution is vital to preserving democracy and liberty for all.

Recent Activities

In recent years, the ACLU has been actively involved in issues such as immigration, voting rights, and opposing policies that it views as discriminatory or unconstitutional. The organization has also been at the forefront of legal challenges against the administration's policies, including those related to immigration and national security.

See Also

• Civil liberties
• First Amendment to the United States Constitution
• Human rights in the United States