Changes

[[Image:Nghfuyr.png|right|thumb|Current logo of the ACLU.]]

[[Image:Nghfuyr.png|right|thumb|Current logo of the ACLU.]]

The '''American Civil Liberties Union''' ('''ACLU''') is a [[leftist]], [[secular]]-[[Progressivism|progressive]] [[organization]]. It was run for its first 30 years by an [[United States of America|American]] named [[Roger Baldwin]], who helped found it in 1920.  Baldwin supported communism, but later denounced it in his book, ''A New Slavery'', which condemned "the inhuman communist police state tyranny."<ref>[http://www.harvardsquarelibrary.org/unitarians/baldwin.html]</ref> This organization pursues a [[leftist]] agenda that includes [[censoring]] [[prayer]] and recognition of [[God]] in public institutions, such as [[public schools]]. Currently, Anthony Romero is the first openly gay CEO to run the organization. Declassified documents and letters link early ACLU leaders with [[Communist Party]].<ref>[http://dailycaller.com/2011/01/04/the-aclu%E2%80%99s-untold-stalinist-heritage/ The ACLU’s untold Stalinist heritage, Daily Caller, January 4, 2011]</ref> Helen Chaffee Biehle also indicated in her article "Focus: The Seduction of the American Public Library" that the ACLU was also [[nihilism|nihilistic]] and individualistic in its philosophy since its founding.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/19980119060706/http://www.eagleforum.org/educate/1996/feb96/focus.html<br />"When did these ideas begin to infiltrate the ALA? And who brought them in? During the social turmoil of the late sixties, the Office of Intellectual Freedom in the ALA headquarters in Chicago became very important in the making of policy. Around this time, Judith Krug began her tenure as director of that office, and in 1970 forged strong links between the ALA and the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU functioned under a philosophy of nihilism/individualism since its founding by Roger Baldwin after the turn of the century. For a time in the 1970s, Ms. Krug served simultaneously as ALA Intellectual Freedom Director and as a board member of the ACLU, which has given her several awards. The ACLU, according to George Grant's 1989 study, believes that children should have the same rights as adults, that pornography should be protected by the Constitution, that the First Amendment's free speech clause implies a right to receive information, and that the smallest limitation of any speech or expression will automatically lead to totalitarian repression." </ref> Even left-leaning figures such as civil libertarian [[Alan Dershowitz]] have criticized the ACLU for being a partisan left-wing advocacy group rather than actually defending civil liberties.<ref>Dershowitz, Alan (June 13, 2018). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/alan-dershowitz-the-final-nail-in-the-aclus-coffin Alan Dershowitz: The final nail in the ACLU's coffin]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved June 13, 2018.</ref>

The '''American Civil Liberties Union''' ('''ACLU''') is a [[leftist]], [[secular]]-[[Progressivism|progressive]] [[organization]]. It was run for its first 30 years by an [[United States of America|American]] named [[Roger Baldwin]], who helped found it in 1920.  Baldwin supported communism, but later denounced it in his book, ''A New Slavery'', which condemned "the inhuman communist police state tyranny."<ref>[http://www.harvardsquarelibrary.org/unitarians/baldwin.html]</ref> This organization pursues a [[leftist]] agenda that includes [[censoring]] [[prayer]] and recognition of [[God]] in public institutions, such as [[public schools]]. Currently, Anthony Romero is the first openly gay CEO to run the organization. Declassified documents and letters link early ACLU leaders with [[Communist Party]].<ref>[https://dailycaller.com/2011/01/04/the-aclu%E2%80%99s-untold-stalinist-heritage/ The ACLU’s untold Stalinist heritage, Daily Caller, January 4, 2011]</ref> Helen Chaffee Biehle also indicated in her article "Focus: The Seduction of the American Public Library" that the ACLU was also [[nihilism|nihilistic]] and individualistic in its philosophy since its founding.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/19980119060706/http://www.eagleforum.org/educate/1996/feb96/focus.html<br />"When did these ideas begin to infiltrate the ALA? And who brought them in? During the social turmoil of the late sixties, the Office of Intellectual Freedom in the ALA headquarters in Chicago became very important in the making of policy. Around this time, Judith Krug began her tenure as director of that office, and in 1970 forged strong links between the ALA and the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU functioned under a philosophy of nihilism/individualism since its founding by Roger Baldwin after the turn of the century. For a time in the 1970s, Ms. Krug served simultaneously as ALA Intellectual Freedom Director and as a board member of the ACLU, which has given her several awards. The ACLU, according to George Grant's 1989 study, believes that children should have the same rights as adults, that pornography should be protected by the Constitution, that the First Amendment's free speech clause implies a right to receive information, and that the smallest limitation of any speech or expression will automatically lead to totalitarian repression." </ref> Even left-leaning figures such as civil libertarian [[Alan Dershowitz]] have criticized the ACLU for being a partisan left-wing advocacy group rather than actually defending civil liberties.<ref>Dershowitz, Alan (June 13, 2018). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/alan-dershowitz-the-final-nail-in-the-aclus-coffin Alan Dershowitz: The final nail in the ACLU's coffin]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved June 13, 2018.</ref>

A leaked memo in 2018 showed that the ACLU does not care about defending First Amendment rights and placed [[SJW]] causes along with the concern if free speech will hurt "marginalized communities" over actually defending the Constitution.<ref>Multiple references:

A leaked memo in 2018 showed that the ACLU does not care about defending First Amendment rights and placed [[SJW]] causes along with the concern if free speech will hurt "marginalized communities" over actually defending the Constitution.<ref>Multiple references:

*Re, Gregg (June 21, 2018). [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/06/21/leaked-anti-gun-memo-suggests-aclu-hesistant-to-defend-free-speech-if-it-hurts-marginalized-communities.html Leaked anti-gun memo suggests ACLU hesitant to defend free speech if it hurts 'marginalized communities']. ''Fox News''. Retrieved June 22, 2018.<br>See also:

*Re, Gregg (June 21, 2018). [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/06/21/leaked-anti-gun-memo-suggests-aclu-hesistant-to-defend-free-speech-if-it-hurts-marginalized-communities.html Leaked anti-gun memo suggests ACLU hesitant to defend free speech if it hurts 'marginalized communities']. ''Fox News''. Retrieved June 22, 2018.<br>See also:

*Shapiro, Ben (June 22, 2018). [http://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/393557-aclus-diminishing-interest-in-free-speech-marks-a-foreboding-shift-in ACLU's diminishing interest in free speech marks a foreboding shift in American culture]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved June 22, 2018.

*Shapiro, Ben (June 22, 2018). [https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/393557-aclus-diminishing-interest-in-free-speech-marks-a-foreboding-shift-in ACLU's diminishing interest in free speech marks a foreboding shift in American culture]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved June 22, 2018.

*Wolfe, Liz (June 22, 2018). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/why-im-no-longer-giving-to-the-aclu Why I'm no longer giving to the ACLU]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved June 22, 2018.

*Wolfe, Liz (June 22, 2018). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/why-im-no-longer-giving-to-the-aclu Why I'm no longer giving to the ACLU]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved June 22, 2018.

*Ciccotta, Tom (June 21, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/tech/2018/06/21/wsj-the-aclu-has-abandoned-free-expression/ WSJ: The ACLU Has Abandoned First Amendment]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 22, 2018.</ref>

*Ciccotta, Tom (June 21, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2018/06/21/wsj-the-aclu-has-abandoned-free-expression/ WSJ: The ACLU Has Abandoned First Amendment]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 22, 2018.</ref>

==History==

==History==

{{main|intelligent design}}

{{main|intelligent design}}

In 2004, the ACLU filed [[Selman v. Cobb County School District]].<ref>[http://www.aclu.org/religion/schools/16381prs20041112.html ACLU:  Parents Challenge Evolution Disclaimer In Georgia Textbooks]</ref>  If the plaintiffs, five parents in the Georgia district, won the case, the school district would have to pay their lawyers.  The ACLU argued <ref>[http://www.aclu.org/FilesPDFs/ACFB940.pdf ACLU Pretrial Brief in Selman et al v. Cobb County, 11/12/2004]</ref> that the district had violated the [[Establishment clause]] of the [[U.S. Constitution]] by putting stickers in biology textbooks that said, "This textbook contains material on [[evolution]]. Evolution is a [[theory]], not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered."<ref>[http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/religion/selmancobb11305ord.pdf Judge's Decision, Selman v. Cobb County School District]</ref>  The trial judge ruled in favor of the ACLU,<ref>[http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/religion/selmancobb11305ord.pdf Judge's Decision, Selman v. Cobb County School District]</ref> but his ruling was vacated on appeal.<ref>[http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/ops/200510341.pdf Appeal Decision, Selman v. Cobb County School District]</ref>  The case was eventually settled.  The school district agreed to remove the stickers, to avoid altering science textbooks or making "any disclaimers regarding evolution," and to teach the state Board of Education's [[core curriculum]], which includes evolution, although that wasn't under dispute in the original suit.  In addition, they paid $166,669.12 to Atlanta law firm Bondurant, Mixon & Elmore.<ref>"Agreement Ends Textbook Sticker Case," press release from Cobb County School District including settlement agreement [http://www.cobb.k12.ga.us/news/2006/20061219_StickerAgreement.pdf]</ref><ref>[http://www.aclu.org/religion/intelligentdesign/27745prs20061219.html ACLU: Georgia School Board Drops Defense of Anti-Evolution Stickers]</ref>  

In 2004, the ACLU filed [[Selman v. Cobb County School District]].<ref>[https://www.aclu.org/religion/schools/16381prs20041112.html ACLU:  Parents Challenge Evolution Disclaimer In Georgia Textbooks]</ref>  If the plaintiffs, five parents in the Georgia district, won the case, the school district would have to pay their lawyers.  The ACLU argued <ref>[https://www.aclu.org/FilesPDFs/ACFB940.pdf ACLU Pretrial Brief in Selman et al v. Cobb County, 11/12/2004]</ref> that the district had violated the [[Establishment clause]] of the [[U.S. Constitution]] by putting stickers in biology textbooks that said, "This textbook contains material on [[evolution]]. Evolution is a [[theory]], not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered."<ref>[http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/religion/selmancobb11305ord.pdf Judge's Decision, Selman v. Cobb County School District]</ref>  The trial judge ruled in favor of the ACLU,<ref>[http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/religion/selmancobb11305ord.pdf Judge's Decision, Selman v. Cobb County School District]</ref> but his ruling was vacated on appeal.<ref>[http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/ops/200510341.pdf Appeal Decision, Selman v. Cobb County School District]</ref>  The case was eventually settled.  The school district agreed to remove the stickers, to avoid altering science textbooks or making "any disclaimers regarding evolution," and to teach the state Board of Education's [[core curriculum]], which includes evolution, although that wasn't under dispute in the original suit.  In addition, they paid $166,669.12 to Atlanta law firm Bondurant, Mixon & Elmore.<ref>"Agreement Ends Textbook Sticker Case," press release from Cobb County School District including settlement agreement [http://www.cobb.k12.ga.us/news/2006/20061219_StickerAgreement.pdf]</ref><ref>[https://www.aclu.org/religion/intelligentdesign/27745prs20061219.html ACLU: Georgia School Board Drops Defense of Anti-Evolution Stickers]</ref>  

Another example of ACLU litigation was ''[[Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District]].'',<ref>Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District:   

Another example of ACLU litigation was ''[[Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District]].'',<ref>Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District:   

Rust-Tierney, who served as the Virginia ACLU president until 2005, was serving on its board of directors when he was arrested in February 2007 for possession of child pornography that a U.S. magistrate described as "the most perverted and nauseating and sickening type of child pornography" she ever had seen.  The former Virginia ACLU president later entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to eight years in jail.<ref>''Ibid.''</ref>

Rust-Tierney, who served as the Virginia ACLU president until 2005, was serving on its board of directors when he was arrested in February 2007 for possession of child pornography that a U.S. magistrate described as "the most perverted and nauseating and sickening type of child pornography" she ever had seen.  The former Virginia ACLU president later entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to eight years in jail.<ref>''Ibid.''</ref>

The ACLU also recently forced a Nampa, Idaho public library to return two books to the shelves that many parents have found objectionable.  ''The Joy of Sex'' and ''The Joy of Gay Sex'' were the subjects of a two-year legal battle to get them removed after a teenager found one in his home within reach of young children.  "''The Joy of Gay Sex'' contains very graphic, leave[s] nothing to the imagination [with] depictions of every variety of homosexual sex imaginable," said [[Bryan Fischer]], one of the litigants to get the books removed. "It even has a chapter in it entitled 'Daddy/Son Fantasies.'" Other chapter titles include "Exhibitionism and Voyeurism," "Fisting," "Sex with Animals," and "Tearooms and Back Rooms."  Referring to the ACLU's bullying tactics against the library, Fischer said "It's an abysmal state of affairs when a single letter from cultural thugs can undo two years of patient and pain-staking work." [http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=244332]

The ACLU also recently forced a Nampa, Idaho public library to return two books to the shelves that many parents have found objectionable.  ''The Joy of Sex'' and ''The Joy of Gay Sex'' were the subjects of a two-year legal battle to get them removed after a teenager found one in his home within reach of young children.  "''The Joy of Gay Sex'' contains very graphic, leave[s] nothing to the imagination [with] depictions of every variety of homosexual sex imaginable," said [[Bryan Fischer]], one of the litigants to get the books removed. "It even has a chapter in it entitled 'Daddy/Son Fantasies.'" Other chapter titles include "Exhibitionism and Voyeurism," "Fisting," "Sex with Animals," and "Tearooms and Back Rooms."  Referring to the ACLU's bullying tactics against the library, Fischer said "It's an abysmal state of affairs when a single letter from cultural thugs can undo two years of patient and pain-staking work." [https://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=244332]

==Same-sex Marriage==

==Same-sex Marriage==

The ACLU of New Jersey filed an amicus curiae brief in favor of same-sex marriage and therefore the [[homosexual agenda]] in ''Lewis v. Harris'', 188 N.J. 415 (1006).  The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in favor of civil unions, but by a 4-3 margin did not require same-sex marriage.

The ACLU of New Jersey filed an amicus curiae brief in favor of same-sex marriage and therefore the [[homosexual agenda]] in ''Lewis v. Harris'', 188 N.J. 415 (1006).  The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in favor of civil unions, but by a 4-3 margin did not require same-sex marriage.

The ACLU sues schools when a student alleges encountering "anti-gay peer harassment and bullying based on his perceived sexual orientation."  <ref>http://www.aclu.org/lgbt/youth/28618prs20070221.html</ref>  The ACLU holds the school (and hence the taxpayers) liable for actions based on conduct by some students towards others.

The ACLU sues schools when a student alleges encountering "anti-gay peer harassment and bullying based on his perceived sexual orientation."  <ref>https://www.aclu.org/lgbt/youth/28618prs20070221.html</ref>  The ACLU holds the school (and hence the taxpayers) liable for actions based on conduct by some students towards others.

The ACLU of Minnesota sued to force the Osseo Area School District to grant equal access to the schools public address (PA) system, yearbook, fundraising and field trips by a pro-homosexual school club named the Straights and Gays for Equality (“SAGE”).<ref>''Straights & Gays for Equality v. Osseo Area Schs.'', 471 F.3d 908 (8th Cir. 2006).</ref>  The school district already had a club entitled "Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Trans-gender, Questioning and Allies," and already had a SAGE club, but SAGE was designated as non-curricular and wanted the additional rights of communication.

The ACLU of Minnesota sued to force the Osseo Area School District to grant equal access to the schools public address (PA) system, yearbook, fundraising and field trips by a pro-homosexual school club named the Straights and Gays for Equality (“SAGE”).<ref>''Straights & Gays for Equality v. Osseo Area Schs.'', 471 F.3d 908 (8th Cir. 2006).</ref>  The school district already had a club entitled "Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Trans-gender, Questioning and Allies," and already had a SAGE club, but SAGE was designated as non-curricular and wanted the additional rights of communication.

The ACLU has defended [[polygamy|polygamists]].<ref>During a question-and-answer session after a speech at Yale University, ACLU president Nadine Strossen stated that her organization has "defended the right of individuals to engage in polygamy," [http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=44977 World Net Daily] June 25, 2005</ref><ref>

The ACLU has defended [[polygamy|polygamists]].<ref>During a question-and-answer session after a speech at Yale University, ACLU president Nadine Strossen stated that her organization has "defended the right of individuals to engage in polygamy," [http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=44977 World Net Daily] June 25, 2005</ref><ref>

The ACLU views freedom of religion and the establishment clause as inseparable: In order for people to have religious freedom, their government must neither endorse nor prohibit any religious position.[http://www.aclu.org/religion/frb/16163prs19990716.html ACLU press release July 16 1999].</ref>

The ACLU views freedom of religion and the establishment clause as inseparable: In order for people to have religious freedom, their government must neither endorse nor prohibit any religious position.[https://www.aclu.org/religion/frb/16163prs19990716.html ACLU press release July 16 1999].</ref>

==Free Speech==

==Free Speech==

*In 1978, the ACLU defended the right of the National Socialist Party of America (neo-Nazi) to march through Skokie, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago that is a community of a large number of Jewish people and Holocaust survivors.  The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the village to issue a permit for demonstration to the Nazi Party, which was never used, that was later upheld by the Supreme Court.  The ACLU experienced a severe backlash over this case when membership dropped by 25% and plunged the organization $500,000 in debt.<ref>http://openweb.tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/1978-2/1978-02-23-NBC-6.html</ref><ref>http://www.acluprocon.org/ACLUHistory/HistoryTable.html</ref>  

*In 1978, the ACLU defended the right of the National Socialist Party of America (neo-Nazi) to march through Skokie, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago that is a community of a large number of Jewish people and Holocaust survivors.  The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the village to issue a permit for demonstration to the Nazi Party, which was never used, that was later upheld by the Supreme Court.  The ACLU experienced a severe backlash over this case when membership dropped by 25% and plunged the organization $500,000 in debt.<ref>http://openweb.tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/1978-2/1978-02-23-NBC-6.html</ref><ref>http://www.acluprocon.org/ACLUHistory/HistoryTable.html</ref>  

*On January 16, 2008, the ACLU issued a statement supporting [[Larry Craig|Sen. Larry Craig]](R-ID) to have his guilty plea to misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct in a Minnesota airport restroom withdrawn on the basis that a closed bathroom stall is a private location.  While not advocating sex in public bathrooms, the ACLU suggested the police have better means of enforcing laws instead of using entrapment.<ref>http://www.aclu.org/freespeech/gen/33697prs20080116.html</ref>

*On January 16, 2008, the ACLU issued a statement supporting [[Larry Craig|Sen. Larry Craig]](R-ID) to have his guilty plea to misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct in a Minnesota airport restroom withdrawn on the basis that a closed bathroom stall is a private location.  While not advocating sex in public bathrooms, the ACLU suggested the police have better means of enforcing laws instead of using entrapment.<ref>https://www.aclu.org/freespeech/gen/33697prs20080116.html</ref>

*In September 2000, the ACLU represented the [[North American Man/Boy Love Association]] when the parents of Jeffrey Curley, who was raped, tortured and murdered by two men, filed a $200 million federal lawsuit for wrongful death.  John Roberts, the executive director of the Massachusetts ACLU stated, ''It's not a real popular case, but the First Amendment issues are clear.''  The case was dismissed on a technicality.  A subsequent lawsuit filed against the murderers, who were not represented by the ACLU, was successful.  Jeffrey Curley's father, Robert Curley, was sympathetic to the ACLU's opposition to his lawsuit.  "I really do have a lot of respect for them, they are very consistent in who they defend.  It takes a lot of nerve to defend the groups they have over the years. They have a lot of courage."  <ref>http://sidesplitters.catastrophe.net/arch/2002/www.ageofconsent.com/comments/numberfortytwo.htm</ref><ref>http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0DE0D91530F932A3575AC0A9669C8B63</ref>

*In September 2000, the ACLU represented the [[North American Man/Boy Love Association]] when the parents of Jeffrey Curley, who was raped, tortured and murdered by two men, filed a $200 million federal lawsuit for wrongful death.  John Roberts, the executive director of the Massachusetts ACLU stated, ''It's not a real popular case, but the First Amendment issues are clear.''  The case was dismissed on a technicality.  A subsequent lawsuit filed against the murderers, who were not represented by the ACLU, was successful.  Jeffrey Curley's father, Robert Curley, was sympathetic to the ACLU's opposition to his lawsuit.  "I really do have a lot of respect for them, they are very consistent in who they defend.  It takes a lot of nerve to defend the groups they have over the years. They have a lot of courage."  <ref>http://sidesplitters.catastrophe.net/arch/2002/www.ageofconsent.com/comments/numberfortytwo.htm</ref><ref>http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0DE0D91530F932A3575AC0A9669C8B63</ref>

*The ACLU has been involved with lawsuits filed against Attorney Generals [[Janet Reno|Reno]], [[John Ashcroft|Ashcroft]] and [[Alberto R. Gonzales|Gonzales]] when fighting the enforcement of the Child Online Protection Act (COPA).  Federal courts have consistently ruled COPA violates the constitutional protection of free speech and have forbidden enforcement by the federal government.  The most current ruling on March 22, 2007 is being appealed.<ref>http://www.mediacoalition.org/legal/copa/index.htm</ref>

*The ACLU has been involved with lawsuits filed against Attorney Generals [[Janet Reno|Reno]], [[John Ashcroft|Ashcroft]] and [[Alberto R. Gonzales|Gonzales]] when fighting the enforcement of the Child Online Protection Act (COPA).  Federal courts have consistently ruled COPA violates the constitutional protection of free speech and have forbidden enforcement by the federal government.  The most current ruling on March 22, 2007 is being appealed.<ref>http://www.mediacoalition.org/legal/copa/index.htm</ref>

*In 1949, the ACLU defended Father Arthur Terminiello, an ex-Catholic priest, who gave a speech at a rally in Chicago that was laced with racist, anti-Semitic and anti-Communist comments.  Father Terminiello was fined $100 for violating Chicago's breach of peace ordinance.  This fine was later reversed by the Supreme Court.<ref>http://www.comm.unt.edu/faculty/terminiello_v.htm</ref><ref>http://www.aclu.org/studentsrights/expression/12808pub19941231.html</ref>

*In 1949, the ACLU defended Father Arthur Terminiello, an ex-Catholic priest, who gave a speech at a rally in Chicago that was laced with racist, anti-Semitic and anti-Communist comments.  Father Terminiello was fined $100 for violating Chicago's breach of peace ordinance.  This fine was later reversed by the Supreme Court.<ref>http://www.comm.unt.edu/faculty/terminiello_v.htm</ref><ref>https://www.aclu.org/studentsrights/expression/12808pub19941231.html</ref>

*The ACLU of Nevada successfully defended the right of a street preacher, Jim Webber, to proselytize his pro-Jesus, anti-sin, and occasional anti-homosexual messages on the Las Vegas strip.  The unsuccessful campaign conducted by the casinos failed and allowed Webber and others to stay.  Webber is quoted as saying, "the ACLU has been my guardian angel.  They have been the ones that have provided the ability for me to stand on the street and talk with people about Jesus Christ." <ref>http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=548951&page=1</ref><ref>http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Mar-05-Sun-2006/news/6197557.html</ref>

*The ACLU of Nevada successfully defended the right of a street preacher, Jim Webber, to proselytize his pro-Jesus, anti-sin, and occasional anti-homosexual messages on the Las Vegas strip.  The unsuccessful campaign conducted by the casinos failed and allowed Webber and others to stay.  Webber is quoted as saying, "the ACLU has been my guardian angel.  They have been the ones that have provided the ability for me to stand on the street and talk with people about Jesus Christ." <ref>http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=548951&page=1</ref><ref>http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Mar-05-Sun-2006/news/6197557.html</ref>

==Free Exercise Clause==

==Free Exercise Clause==

The ACLU at times defends the religious rights of American citizens and residents.  See 'ACLU Defense of Freedom of Religious Practice and Expression' at the ACLU's website for 60 examples of Christians and 45 examples of non-Christians represented by the ACLU to protect their religious rights.<ref>http://www.aclu.org/religion/govtfunding/26526res20060824.html</ref>

The ACLU at times defends the religious rights of American citizens and residents.  See 'ACLU Defense of Freedom of Religious Practice and Expression' at the ACLU's website for 60 examples of Christians and 45 examples of non-Christians represented by the ACLU to protect their religious rights.<ref>https://www.aclu.org/religion/govtfunding/26526res20060824.html</ref>

On March 14, 2008, the ACLU sent a letter to the Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy of Inver Grove Heights Minnesota expressing their disapproval of alleged school sponsored prayer during school hours.  Concerns were raised about alleged violations of the establishment clause and the 'Lemon Test' because '… the school is improperly involved in promoting and facilitating after-school religious studies conducted under the auspices of the Mosque that is housed in the same building as the school.'  Further inquiries are on-going.<ref>http://www.aclu-mn.org/downloads/LettertoTarekAcademy.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.aclu-mn.org/home/news/aclumnopensinvestigationof.htm</ref>

On March 14, 2008, the ACLU sent a letter to the Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy of Inver Grove Heights Minnesota expressing their disapproval of alleged school sponsored prayer during school hours.  Concerns were raised about alleged violations of the establishment clause and the 'Lemon Test' because '… the school is improperly involved in promoting and facilitating after-school religious studies conducted under the auspices of the Mosque that is housed in the same building as the school.'  Further inquiries are on-going.<ref>http://www.aclu-mn.org/downloads/LettertoTarekAcademy.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.aclu-mn.org/home/news/aclumnopensinvestigationof.htm</ref>

==Prisoner and student rights==

==Prisoner and student rights==

In the 2007 case ''Spratt v. Rhode Island Department of Corrections'', the ACLU brought suit against the Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institute following the prison's decision to bar Christian prisoner and lay minister Wesley Spratt from preaching to other inmates during weekly services.  The ACLU won the case on appeal, securing the right for Spratt to hold religious services for other inmates so long as these do not conflict with prison security.<ref>ACLU:  Appeals Court Overturns Ban on Christian Preacher in Rhode Island Prison (4/9/2007)[http://www.aclu.org/religion/frb/29578prs20070409.html]</ref>

In the 2007 case ''Spratt v. Rhode Island Department of Corrections'', the ACLU brought suit against the Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institute following the prison's decision to bar Christian prisoner and lay minister Wesley Spratt from preaching to other inmates during weekly services.  The ACLU won the case on appeal, securing the right for Spratt to hold religious services for other inmates so long as these do not conflict with prison security.<ref>ACLU:  Appeals Court Overturns Ban on Christian Preacher in Rhode Island Prison (4/9/2007)[https://www.aclu.org/religion/frb/29578prs20070409.html]</ref>

In 2004, student [[Abbey Moler]] selected a bible verse to accompany her picture in a school yearbook. The school subsequently removed this text before publication. The ACLU filed suit against the Utica Community School District, on the grounds that this censorship violated Moler's first-amendment rights to free expression and freedom of religion. The case was settled out of court, with the school district agreeing to replace the verse in following prints of the yearbook and correct it by means of a sticker in copies still in its possession.<ref>ACLU:  After ACLU Intervention on Behalf of Christian Valedictorian, Michigan High School Agrees to Stop Censoring Religious Yearbook Entries (5/11/2004)

In 2004, student [[Abbey Moler]] selected a bible verse to accompany her picture in a school yearbook. The school subsequently removed this text before publication. The ACLU filed suit against the Utica Community School District, on the grounds that this censorship violated Moler's first-amendment rights to free expression and freedom of religion. The case was settled out of court, with the school district agreeing to replace the verse in following prints of the yearbook and correct it by means of a sticker in copies still in its possession.<ref>ACLU:  After ACLU Intervention on Behalf of Christian Valedictorian, Michigan High School Agrees to Stop Censoring Religious Yearbook Entries (5/11/2004)

[http://www.aclu.org/studentsrights/expression/12845prs20040511.html]</ref><ref>The settlement between the ALCU and the school district stated:

[https://www.aclu.org/studentsrights/expression/12845prs20040511.html]</ref><ref>The settlement between the ALCU and the school district stated:

* The district will place a sticker with Moler's original entry in the copies of the yearbook on file with the school.

* The district will place a sticker with Moler's original entry in the copies of the yearbook on file with the school.

* The district has instructed the Stevenson High School yearbook staff not to censor students' yearbook entries solely because they contain religious or political speech that others might find offensive.

* The district has instructed the Stevenson High School yearbook staff not to censor students' yearbook entries solely because they contain religious or political speech that others might find offensive.

The following year, in the 1935 ''Harvard Class Book'', in a feature entitled "Thirty Years Later," spotlighting Baldwin's class of 1905 on its thirtieth anniversary, he wrote:

The following year, in the 1935 ''Harvard Class Book'', in a feature entitled "Thirty Years Later," spotlighting Baldwin's class of 1905 on its thirtieth anniversary, he wrote:

{{cquote|I am for socialism, disarmament and ultimately for abolishing the state itself as an instrument of violence and compulsion. I seek the social ownership of property, the abolition of the propertied class and sole control by those who produce wealth. Communism is, of course, the goal.<ref>William H. McIlhany, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=99QUAAAAIAAJ The ACLU on Trial]'' (New Rochelle, N.Y.: Arlington House, 1976) ISBN 0870003372, p. 134</ref>}}

{{cquote|I am for socialism, disarmament and ultimately for abolishing the state itself as an instrument of violence and compulsion. I seek the social ownership of property, the abolition of the propertied class and sole control by those who produce wealth. Communism is, of course, the goal.<ref>William H. McIlhany, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=99QUAAAAIAAJ The ACLU on Trial]'' (New Rochelle, N.Y.: Arlington House, 1976) ISBN 0870003372, p. 134</ref>}}

Under threat of being listed by the [[HUAC|Dies committee]] as a [[Communist front]] in the wake of the [[Nazi-Soviet pact]], the ACLU purged open members of the [[Communist Party]] from its board of directors in 1940,<ref>Samuel Walker, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=hdkrBVJ37I4C In Defense of American Liberties: A History of the ACLU]'' (Oxford University Press, 1990) ISBN 0809322706, pp. 129-130</ref> although its continued front activity caused a joint fact-finding committee of the California Legislature to report in 1943:

Under threat of being listed by the [[HUAC|Dies committee]] as a [[Communist front]] in the wake of the [[Nazi-Soviet pact]], the ACLU purged open members of the [[Communist Party]] from its board of directors in 1940,<ref>Samuel Walker, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=hdkrBVJ37I4C In Defense of American Liberties: A History of the ACLU]'' (Oxford University Press, 1990) ISBN 0809322706, pp. 129-130</ref> although its continued front activity caused a joint fact-finding committee of the California Legislature to report in 1943:

{{cquote|“The American Civil Liberties Union may be definitely classed as a Communist front or ‘transmission belt’ organization.”<ref>[http://ia331324.us.archive.org/3/items/reportofsenatefa00calirich/reportofsenatefa00calirich.pdf Communist Front Organizations], Fourth Report of the Senate Fact-Finding Committee On Un-American Activities, California Legislature, 1948, p.107 (PDF p. 117)</ref>}}

{{cquote|“The American Civil Liberties Union may be definitely classed as a Communist front or ‘transmission belt’ organization.”<ref>[http://ia331324.us.archive.org/3/items/reportofsenatefa00calirich/reportofsenatefa00calirich.pdf Communist Front Organizations], Fourth Report of the Senate Fact-Finding Committee On Un-American Activities, California Legislature, 1948, p.107 (PDF p. 117)</ref>}}

One member purged from the board was former [[Industrial Workers of the World|Wobbly]] [[Elizabeth Gurley Flynn]], a [[CPUSA]] member. Flynn went on to become national chairman of the [[Communist Party]].<ref>Barbara Sicherman and Carol Hurd Green, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=CfGHM9KU7aEC Notable American Women: The Modern Period: A Biographical Dictionary]'' (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1980) ISBN 0674627334, p. 245</ref> Upon her death in [[Moscow]] in 1964, the [[Soviet Union]] gave her a full-scale state funeral in [[Red Square]].<ref>Rosalyn Fraad Baxandall, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=mqbaAAAAMAAJ Words on Fire: The Life and Writing of Elizabeth Gurley Flynn]'' (New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1987) ISBN 0813512409, p. 71</ref> In 1976, the ACLU posthumously "reinstated" her on its board of directors.<ref>Paul Finkelman, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=YoI14vYA8r0C The Encyclopedia of American Civil Liberties]'' (New York: Routledge, 2006) ISBN 0415943426, p. 49</ref>

One member purged from the board was former [[Industrial Workers of the World|Wobbly]] [[Elizabeth Gurley Flynn]], a [[CPUSA]] member. Flynn went on to become national chairman of the [[Communist Party]].<ref>Barbara Sicherman and Carol Hurd Green, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=CfGHM9KU7aEC Notable American Women: The Modern Period: A Biographical Dictionary]'' (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1980) ISBN 0674627334, p. 245</ref> Upon her death in [[Moscow]] in 1964, the [[Soviet Union]] gave her a full-scale state funeral in [[Red Square]].<ref>Rosalyn Fraad Baxandall, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=mqbaAAAAMAAJ Words on Fire: The Life and Writing of Elizabeth Gurley Flynn]'' (New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1987) ISBN 0813512409, p. 71</ref> In 1976, the ACLU posthumously "reinstated" her on its board of directors.<ref>Paul Finkelman, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=YoI14vYA8r0C The Encyclopedia of American Civil Liberties]'' (New York: Routledge, 2006) ISBN 0415943426, p. 49</ref>

In 1947 General [[Douglas MacArthur]] arranged for Baldwin to serve as a civil liberties consultant in Japan.

In 1947 General [[Douglas MacArthur]] arranged for Baldwin to serve as a civil liberties consultant in Japan.

*[https://books.google.com/books?id=HUu_FwxzPb8C ACLU: Original FBI Files] FBI FOIA SUBJECT: American Civil Liberties Union

*[https://books.google.com/books?id=HUu_FwxzPb8C ACLU: Original FBI Files] FBI FOIA SUBJECT: American Civil Liberties Union

*[http://www.law.ucla.edu/volokh/blog/baldwin.pdf Baldwin speaks in defense of communism from 1934]

*[http://www.law.ucla.edu/volokh/blog/baldwin.pdf Baldwin speaks in defense of communism from 1934]

*http://www.aclu.org

*https://www.aclu.org

*Anti-ACLU sites:

*Anti-ACLU sites:

**http://www.stoptheaclu.com/

**http://www.stoptheaclu.com/