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| The '''American Civil Liberties Union''' ('''ACLU''') is an ] ] devoted to defending ] and ]. ]s brought by the ACLU have been central to several important developments in U.S. constitutional law. The ACLU provides ]s and ] in cases where it believes that |
The '''American Civil Liberties Union''' ('''ACLU''') is an ] ] devoted to defending ] and ]. ]s brought by the ACLU have been central to several important developments in U.S. constitutional law. The ACLU provides ]s and ] in cases where it believes that Civil Rights are being violated. | ||
| The organization is controversial, in part because it has often provided legal resources to defend the civil liberties and rights of extremists and unpopular organizations, such as American Nazis, and the North American Man Boy Love Association, alleged to be an organization promoting pedophilia. | |||
| The ACLU was formed in ] as the '''Civil Liberties Bureau''', during the time of the ]. Founders include ] and ]. | The ACLU was formed in ] as the '''Civil Liberties Bureau''', during the time of the ]. Founders include ] and ]. | ||
| ==Criticism== | |||
| Some groups, mostly among the ], criticize the ACLU for its opposition to requiring prayers in public schools, display of religious symbols on public property, its support of ], and its support of the rights of ]. | |||
| The ACLU has also been critized for defending the free speech rights of persons with unpopular or controversial opinions, including neo-Nazi groups and ] (a pro-] group). | |||
| Critics argue that the ACLU goes beyond its mandate of defending the ] by opposing ], in spite of the fact that, in 1976, the ] determined that capital punishment is constitutional. The ACLU has continued to fight against the ] since its reinstatement in 1976, arguing that it violates the ] restriction against "cruel and unusual punishment." | |||
| ==Official Statements== | |||
| *"The ] are fundamental ]s that protect from ] abuse of power. These rights are indispensable to a ] ]." | |||
Revision as of 16:02, 26 August 2003
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is an American non-governmental organization devoted to defending civil rights and liberties. Lawsuits brought by the ACLU have been central to several important developments in U.S. constitutional law. The ACLU provides lawyers and legal expertise in cases where it believes that Civil Rights are being violated.
The ACLU was formed in 1920 as the Civil Liberties Bureau, during the time of the Palmer Raids. Founders include Crystal Eastman and Roger Baldwin.
Criticism
Some groups, mostly among the religious right, criticize the ACLU for its opposition to requiring prayers in public schools, display of religious symbols on public property, its support of abortion, and its support of the rights of homosexuals.
The ACLU has also been critized for defending the free speech rights of persons with unpopular or controversial opinions, including neo-Nazi groups and NAMBLA (a pro-pedophilia group).
Critics argue that the ACLU goes beyond its mandate of defending the United States Constitution by opposing capital punishment, in spite of the fact that, in 1976, the US Supreme Court determined that capital punishment is constitutional. The ACLU has continued to fight against the death penalty since its reinstatement in 1976, arguing that it violates the Eighth Amendment restriction against "cruel and unusual punishment."
Official Statements
- "The Bill of Rights are fundamental rights that protect from government abuse of power. These rights are indispensable to a free society."
External Links
- ACLU.org (Official)
- History of the ACLU (Official)
- ACLU history