American Civil Liberties Union
Constitutional freedoms defender
The American Civil Liberties Union is a nonprofit organization that defends constitutional rights through litigation, lobbying, and public advocacy.
Founded in 1920, it takes cases involving free speech, privacy, due process, and equal protection—often representing unpopular clients or causes.
Usually referred to by its initials: The ACLU filed suit against the state.
Protected verbal liberty
- due processGuaranteed judicial fairness
- privacyFreedom from observation
- equal protectionUniform legal treatment
- religious freedomRight to practice faith
voting rights · assembly · press freedom · reproductive rights · LGBTQ rights · immigrant rights · criminal justice · racial justice
Legal principles from founding documents
- First AmendmentConstitutional free expression guarantee
- Fourth AmendmentSearch and seizure protection
- judicial reviewCourts invalidating unconstitutional acts
- Supreme CourtNation's top tribunal
plaintiff · defendant · injunction · brief · precedent · pro bono · class action · settlement
Advocating to decision-makers
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- litigationLegal dispute process
- legal defenseArgument against charges
test cases · grassroots · petition · demonstration · march · rally · community organizing · awareness
Organization serving public good
- membershipState of belonging
- chapterDivision of a book
- boardFlat rigid panel
- executive directorHead of nonprofit organization
donor · volunteer · affiliate · legal department · policy analyst · watchdog · nonpartisan
free speech
Protected verbal liberty
- due processGuaranteed judicial fairness
- privacyFreedom from observation
- equal protectionUniform legal treatment
religious freedom · voting rights · assembly · press freedom · reproductive rights · LGBTQ rights · immigrant rights · criminal justice · racial justice · disability rights
constitutional law
Legal principles from founding documents
- First AmendmentConstitutional free expression guarantee
- Fourth AmendmentSearch and seizure protection
- judicial reviewCourts invalidating unconstitutional acts
Supreme Court · plaintiff · defendant · injunction · brief · precedent · pro bono · class action · settlement · appeal
lobbying
Advocating to decision-makers
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- litigationLegal dispute process
legal defense · test cases · grassroots · petition · demonstration · march · rally · community organizing · awareness · fundraising
nonprofit
Organization serving public good
- membershipState of belonging
- chapterDivision of a book
- boardFlat rigid panel
executive director · donor · volunteer · affiliate · legal department · policy analyst · watchdog · nonpartisan
American Civil Liberties Unioncensorship boards
Bodies controlling permitted expression
American Civil Liberties Unionsecret police
Clandestine state security apparatus
FBI · NSA · Department of Homeland Security · police departments · ICE
American, Union, America, Americas, civil, civility, civilly, civilian, civilians