Our Work

The ACLU is our nation's guardian of liberty, working daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country.

In the Courts

11/20/2009 | Youth & Schools

Alabama School Reverses Decision To Bar Lesbian Student From Attending Prom With Her Girlfriend

RUSSELLVILLE, AL – The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded Franklin County School System officials for reversing their decision barring a lesbian student from attending the school prom with her girlfriend. The School System’s about-face, permitting 17-year-old Tharptown High School junior Cynthia Stewart to bring her girlfriend to the upcoming March 25 prom, came after the ACLU sent a letter to the school on November 10 demanding that their initial decision be reversed. More

case

Russellville, Alabama School Prom Discrimination

Learn more about our Legal Work

Legislative Update

11/7/2009 | Abortion

House Passes Measure Threatening Women's Access To Abortion

The House has voted on the Affordable Health Care for America Act which included an amendment added by Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) and Joseph Pitts (R-Pa.) which would impose unprecedented restrictions on women's access to abortion. The amendment will deny abortion coverage to women who already have it and who pay for part of the cost of their private health insurance plan. More

Learn more about our Legislative Work

Campaigns

  • Keep America Safe & Free

    Illegal government spying, indefinite detention without charge or trial and government-sponsored torture programs after 9/11 transcended the bounds of law and our most treasured values in the name of national security. There has never been a more urgent need to restore individual freedoms, due process rights and our system of checks and balances. Learn More

  • Real ID

    The Real ID Act creates a federal identity document that every American will need in order to fly on commercial airlines, enter government buildings, open a bank account, and more. It creates huge administrative burdens for state governments, while providing only minimal federal funds for implementing its onerous requirements. At the same time, it does nothing to combat terrorism, and puts us at greater risk for invasions of privacy and identity theft. Learn More

campaignsView all Current Campaigns

Act Now

Tell Congress it's Time to Reform the Patriot Act!

The Patriot Act has been in effect for too long. Don’t let another day go by without sending your representative a clear, unequivocal message that it is time to end the abuses of the Patriot Act. Take Action Now

 
 
Statistics image