American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nonpartisan organization devoted to defending the rights and freedoms of people in the United States. It works mainly by providing lawyers and legal advice for individuals and groups in local, state, and federal courts. ACLU officials also testify before state and federal legislative committees, advise government officials, and conduct educational programs. The chief goal of the ACLU is to protect the fundamental rights of individuals as described in the . These rights include freedom of speech and protection against unfair punishment for people accused of crimes.
The ACLU has defended the constitutional rights of a wide range of individuals and groups. It played an important part in U.S. Supreme Court rulings that guaranteed legal aid to poor people. The group has supported fair treatment of conscientious objectors, people whose conscience does not allow them to take part in war. The ACLU has urged desegregation of schools and promoted the Black civil rights movement. In 1978, the organization defended the right of a group of American Nazis to march in Skokie, Illinois.
One of the current goals of the ACLU is the abolition of capital punishment. The group also calls for further restrictions on government investigative agencies and for stricter separation of church and state. In addition, it seeks greater protection for the rights of undocumented immigrants; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people; and people with mental illness. The ACLU also supports the rights of women to have abortions.
The ACLU was founded in 1920. Its headquarters are in New York City.
