Criminal Justice
The rights guaranteed to individuals under suspicion, criminal defendants, and prisoners are fundamental rights that protect all Americans from governmental abuse of power.
Death Penalty
The death penalty is the ultimate denial of civil liberties. Innocent people are being sentenced to death. Moreover, capital punishment is often unfairly and unjustly applied. The ACLU supports a moratorium on the death penalty.
Free Speech
The framers of the U.S. Constitution believed that the freedom of inquiry and liberty of expression were the hallmarks of a democratic society. The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights provides protections in a number of areas including free speech.
Immigrants' Rights
The ACLU has been one of the nation’s leading advocates for the rights of immigrants, refugees and non-citizens, challenging unconstitutional laws and practices, countering the myths upon which these laws are based.
LGBTQ+ Rights
The ACLU has worked for equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people for over 75 years.
National Security
Throughout U.S. history, "national security" has often been used as a pretext for massive violations of individual rights. If we allow the interests of "national security" to take away our freedoms, we surrender what it is to be an American.