American Civil Liberties Union

Description

The American Civil Liberties Union, or ACLU, is a nonprofit that defends civil liberties and constitutional rights in the United States. It is non-partisan and was founded in 1920, in response to abuses during the Palmer Raids against political radicals. It has grown into the nation’s largest public interest law firm, with a network of affiliate offices across all 50 states.

The ACLU litigates civil liberties cases, often reaching the US Supreme Court, and works on issues such as free speech, freedom of religion, reproductive rights, privacy, due process and equal protection. It also defends the rights of people of color, women, LGBTQ people, prisoners, immigrants and people with disabilities. Staff attorneys work alongside thousands of volunteer lawyers, handling close to 2,000 cases a year.

The organization is member-funded and non-governmental, taking no money from the state; dues, individual contributions and foundation grants pay for its work. Its national office is in New York City, and a separate legislative office lobbies the US Congress. Since 1920 it has taken part in landmark cases on school segregation, reproductive rights, free speech, and privacy in the digital age.