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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 Civil Rights are being violated. 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 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 criticize the ACLU for its opposition to requiring prayers in public schools, display of religious symbols on public property, its support of ], support of the rights of ], and the defense of ] for persons with unpopular or controversial opinions.

The ACLU has defended the free speech rights of neo-Nazi groups and ] (a pro-] group).

On their website, the ACLU states that they defend the ]; however, critics argue that this is not true for all positions that they hold. For example, the ACLU opposes ], in spite of the fact that, since 1976, the ] has determined that capital punishment is constitutional. One of the key factors in the Supreme Court's decision was evidence in the Constitution itself: the ] states, "No person shall be ... deprived of life ... without due process of law", and the ] says, "No state shall ... deprive any person of life ... without due process of law."

However, the ACLU has continued to fight against the death penalty since its reinstatement in 1976, arguing that it violates the consitutional restriction against "]."

==Official Statements==

*"The ] are fundamental ]s that protect from ] abuse of power. These rights are indispensable to a ] ].





Revision as of 02:35, 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 criticize the ACLU for its opposition to requiring prayers in public schools, display of religious symbols on public property, its support of abortion, support of the rights of homosexuals, and the defense of freedom of speech for persons with unpopular or controversial opinions.

The ACLU has defended the free speech rights of neo-Nazi groups and NAMBLA (a pro-pedophilia group).

On their website, the ACLU states that they defend the United States Constitution; however, critics argue that this is not true for all positions that they hold. For example, the ACLU opposes capital punishment, in spite of the fact that, since 1976, the US Supreme Court has determined that capital punishment is constitutional. One of the key factors in the Supreme Court's decision was evidence in the Constitution itself: the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution states, "No person shall be ... deprived of life ... without due process of law", and the Fourteenth Amendment says, "No state shall ... deprive any person of life ... without due process of law."

However, the ACLU has continued to fight against the death penalty since its reinstatement in 1976, arguing that it violates the consitutional restriction against "cruel and unusual punishment."

Official Statements


External Links