American Civil Liberties Union

The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union — beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees.

Issues

Learn about what's happening across the most pressing civil liberties issues of our time, and what you can do.

Spotlight

A burgundy collage of images related to abortion - a stethescope, an hourglass, and a woman crossing her arms over her stomach

Abortion Under Attack

On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a shameful ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, the nearly 50-year-old landmark decision recognizing the federal constitutional right to abortion. This decision is an unprecedented attack on women’s rights and reproductive freedom, and the effects will be immediate and far reaching.

Regardless of this horrendous decision, abortion is still our right. We all deserve the power to control our bodies, lives, and futures. Abortion is also health care. Getting access should not depend on where we live, how much money we make, or who we are. Abortion access is but one of a wide array of rights at stake — the same politicians banning abortion are also attacking our right to vote, access birth control, marry who we love, and hold police officers accountable.

Help us fight against this injustice by pledging your support, donating, taking to the streets, and sending a message to politicians at the ballot box: Abortion is a right, and you can’t ignore us.

News and Commentary

News & Commentary

Capital Punishment

Missouri is Trying to Bar Me From My Father’s Execution. Governor Parson Must Intervene.

My father Kevin Johnson, Jr. was sentenced to death for a crime committed at 19 years old, but the state is preventing me from attending his execution because I am that very age.

A young child holds on to her mother legs as they wait with other families to request political asylum in the United States, across the border in Tijuana, Mexico.

Civil Liberties

20 Years Later, It’s Time to Overhaul the Department of Homeland Security

Chronic dysfunction and abuse within the agency call for a serious reckoning.

A sign that says "vote here" among a line of voters.

Voting Rights

Election Denialism Lost in Key Midterm Races, but the Fight is Far From Over

Americans took firm stances against election denialism and voted to protect our democracy in the most vital races.

In the courts

For more than one hundred years, ACLU lawyers have been at the center of one history-making court case after another, participating in more Supreme Court cases than any other private organization. With attorneys nationwide, we handle thousands of cases each year on behalf of clients whose rights have been violated.

Fighting for Trans Rights

Four families of transgender youth and two doctors have challenged an Arkansas law that would prohibit healthcare professionals from providing or even referring transgender young people for medically necessary health care.

Fighting for Trans Rights

Collage photo of the four plantiffs involved in the Arkansas Case

all court cases

Fighting Trump

During the Trump administration, we filed over 246 lawsuits.

Fighting Back Against Voter Suppression in Georgia
Following record turnout in recent elections, Georgia legislators passed a voter suppression law designed to make it harder for voters, especially voters of color, to cast a ballot. We’re suing.

Defending Student Free Speech
Brandi Levy was just blowing off steam off campus when she posted an expletive message on Snapchat critical of her school and cheer team. She was suspended from her cheer team, but alongside the ACLU she sued to defend student free speech. We took the case all the way to the Supreme Court – and won.

Protecting Abortion Access in Florida
On behalf of several abortion providers, we are fighting against Florida’s senseless and harmful law that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy and threatens to imprison doctors who provide care beyond that point.

our history

1920

In its first year, the ACLU challenged the Palmer Raids, protecting immigrants and trade union members.

1942

The ACLU stood almost alone in denouncing the federal government’s internment of more than 110,000 Japanese Americans in concentration camps.

1967

The ACLU represented an interracial couple in the landmark Supreme Court case, Loving v. Virginia. The court ruled that state bans on interracial marriage were unconstitutional.

1978

The ACLU took a controversial stand for free speech by defending a Nazi group that wanted to march through the Chicago suburb of Skokie—where many Holocaust survivors lived.

2015

The ACLU won a landmark Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, affirming the constitutional right of same-sex couples to marry.

2018

In a victory for privacy, the Supreme Court ruled in an ACLU case, Carpenter v. United States, that people’s sensitive cell phone location data is protected by the Fourth Amendment, requiring the government get a warrant to access it.

today

We have over 1,700 staffers in every state, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico fighting for people's constitutional rights.

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On the ground

From signing petitions to organizing on the ground, millions of ACLU activists are helping defend our rights.

End discriminatory profiling by the government

Actions needed now

Uphold the reproductive rights and health of migrants

Congress: Shrink the Cruel Immigration Detention System

Actions needed now

End discriminatory profiling by the government

Uphold the reproductive rights and health of migrants

Congress: Shrink the Cruel Immigration Detention System

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People Power is the ACLU's platform for grassroots action. We work with volunteers and supporters in every corner of the country to defend civil liberties and civil rights. Join us.

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Resources

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