The ACLU turns the Bill of Rights into real protections for real people. Once the government has the power to violate one person’s rights, it can use that power against any of us.
Before the ACLU, Freedom of Speech existed in the First Amendment but no law censoring speech had ever been struck down. With the ACLU involved in all major cases, everyone today has an enforceable right of Free Speech.
The ACLU has been at the forefront of making Equal Protection of the Laws real for everyone.
Civil Liberties recognize no political, racial, ethnic, or religious identities over any other. Consequently, we have defended organizations that range across the ideological spectrum, from the Ku Klux Klan to the Christian Coalition to Planned Parenthood. We do not always agree with the viewpoints of those whom we defend, but we defend them anyway. We understand that the denial of rights to one erodes the rights of all. To guard against erosion, the First Amendment declares that government may not promote ideas it favors while prohibiting those it dislikes. Like the framers, we have faith in the people to decide which opinions to accept and which to reject. We trust the people far more than those who seek the governments aid to impose their beliefs on everyone, who do not want the rest of us to make those decisions for ourselves. We fight for the right to decide. We fight for you: fighting for your opponent’s rights so that those same rights are never taken away from you. The ACLU needs your help and support. There are powerful organizations and voices that would undercut civil liberties. The ACLU must be there to make the opposing argument. So take advantage of the information included in this brochure. By doing so, you will join us in the ongoing effort to conserve our rights and keep our liberties safe.