American Civil Liberties Union
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The '''American Civil Liberties Union''' ("ACLU") is a civil libertarian [[United States]]-based organization dedicated to protecting [[human rights]]. This often leads them into conflict with [[conservative]] groups, but their dedication to [[freedom of Speech|free speech]] many times also leads them to defend the free speech rights of [[metapedia|racists]], [[Fred Phelps|bigots]], and other [[Ku Klux Klan|hatemongers]]. | The '''American Civil Liberties Union''' ("ACLU") is a civil libertarian [[United States]]-based organization dedicated to protecting [[human rights]]. This often leads them into conflict with [[conservative]] groups, but their dedication to [[freedom of Speech|free speech]] many times also leads them to defend the free speech rights of [[metapedia|racists]], [[Fred Phelps|bigots]], and other [[Ku Klux Klan|hatemongers]]. | ||
| − | According to the website, the main goal of the ACLU is to protect the [[First Amendment]] rights, the rights to equal treatment under the [[law]], the right to [[due process]] and the right to [[privacy]]. Since it was founded in 1920, it has grown to over half a million supporters. The ACLU is split into two separate entities, a legislative lobbying group pressuring the American government to stay true to | + | According to the website, the main goal of the ACLU is to protect the [[First Amendment]] rights, the rights to equal treatment under the [[law]], the right to [[due process]] and the right to [[privacy]]. Since it was founded in 1920, it has grown to over half a million supporters. The ACLU is split into two separate entities, a legislative lobbying group pressuring the American government to stay true to its values of freedom and a litigation group which handles around 6,000 court cases each year. |
The ACLU maintains 53 local chapters and affiliates, including one in each of the fifty {{cat|United States states|states}}. | The ACLU maintains 53 local chapters and affiliates, including one in each of the fifty {{cat|United States states|states}}. | ||
Revision as of 05:29, 19 September 2009
| It's not just a good idea |
| Random enforcement |
The American Civil Liberties Union ("ACLU") is a civil libertarian United States-based organization dedicated to protecting human rights. This often leads them into conflict with conservative groups, but their dedication to free speech many times also leads them to defend the free speech rights of racists, bigots, and other hatemongers.
According to the website, the main goal of the ACLU is to protect the First Amendment rights, the rights to equal treatment under the law, the right to due process and the right to privacy. Since it was founded in 1920, it has grown to over half a million supporters. The ACLU is split into two separate entities, a legislative lobbying group pressuring the American government to stay true to its values of freedom and a litigation group which handles around 6,000 court cases each year.
The ACLU maintains 53 local chapters and affiliates, including one in each of the fifty states.
Contents |
Official positions
- Total freedom of speech; a stance that gets them into trouble with both ends of the political spectrum.
- The ACLU defends a formal separation of church and state; this includes opposition to school prayer and religious symbology in public and government owned buildings.
- Freedom of religion, the ACLU defends the right for individuals to express their religious beliefs in private in any manner not otherwise illegal.
- Affirmative action
Notable cases and activities
The ACLU has been a key player in several famous civil liberty cases since 1920. Some of these have been controversial because of the organization's of fighting for freedom of speech regardless of what the speech is and for people's rights regardless of who those people are.
- The organization was instrumental in the Scopes trial only a few years after its founding, defending the teaching of evolution in the classroom.
- Instigated Brown v. Board of Education which lead to the end of racial segregation in the US.
- In 1973, the ACLU was involved in Roe v. Wade to defend reproductive rights.
- Fighting against a 1977 ruling outlawing Neo-Nazi activity. A move which cost it dearly as a quarter of the affiliate membership resigned in protest.
- When the Westboro Baptist Church was banned from protesting, the ACLU was successful in defending their freedom of speech.
Not to be confused with
- UCLA, the University of California, Los Angeles campus.
- ACLJ, a right-wing think tank.