ACLU | Pros & Cons | ProCon.org (2024)

FAQs

What are some cons about ACLU? ›

Their opponents say the ACLU is a left-wing organization that uses the courts to subvert the Constitution, protect criminals, and attack religion. They contend that the ACLU advances an extremist agenda, and is a threat to the United States.

Conversely, it has been criticized by conservatives such as when it argued against official prayer in public schools or when it opposed the Patriot Act.

Our work is supported by member dues as well as contributions and grants from private foundations and individuals. Gifts made to the ACLU directly fund crucial litigation, communications and public education initiatives.

About the ACLU | American Civil Liberties Union. Defend the rights of all people nationwide. Abortion care, trans people's right to live freely, people's right to vote – our freedoms are at stake and we need you with us. Donate today and fuel our fight in courts, statehouses, and nationwide.

Rating Information

This charity's score is 100%, earning it a Four-Star rating.

Keeping America Safe and Free 2001 to present:

In 2015, our legal and legislative work helped push passage of the USA Freedom Act, a beginning step towards real reform and the first time since 1978 that Congress has acted to restrict — rather than expand — the government's surveillance authority.

So the ACLU was founded to defend and secure these rights and to extend them to people who have been excluded from their protection—Native Americans and other people of color; lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people; women; mental patients; prisoners; people with disabilities; and the poor.

It is nonpartisan and nonprofit, with headquarters in New York, a legislative office in Washington, D.C. and more than 300 chapters nationwide. The ACLU was founded in 1920 by Roger Baldwin, Crystal Eastman, Albert DeSilver, Jane Addams, Felix Frankfurter, Helen Keller and Arthur Garfield Hayes and others.

Is the ACLU a c3 or c4? ›

This is the website of the ACLU of Northern California, a 501(c4) non-profit.

Bio. Anthony D. Romero is the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, the nation's premier defender of civil liberties.

Over the years, we've handled hundreds of cases covering the whole range of civil rights and civil liberties, leading to concrete changes in such areas as freedom of speech and association, racial justice, police practices, LGBT rights, government employees' rights, prisoners' rights, children's rights, immigration ...

The ACLU is a 501(c) (4) nonprofit corporation, but gifts to it are not tax-deductible. It is the membership organization, and you have to be a member to get your trusty ACLU card. ACLU monies fund our legislative lobbying--important work that cannot be supported by tax-deductible funds.

Membership has its benefits including your very own membership card, half-yearly member magazine, notifications on special events and activities, and more!

American Civil Liberties Union has an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5, based on over 359 reviews left anonymously by employees. 53% of employees would recommend working at American Civil Liberties Union to a friend and 64% have a positive outlook for the business. This rating has improved by 6% over the last 12 months.

ACLU Sues Federal Agencies for Information on Intelligence Hubs Used to Surveil Protestors and Communities of Color. Case: ACLU v. DOJ – FOIA Lawsuit Seeking Records About the Use of JTTFs and Fusion Centers to Target Protesters and Communities of Color.

The ACLJ arose in part as a right-leaning political answer to the American Civil Liberties Union, which has a different interpretation of First Amendment protection of religious rights. The name and acronym, ACLJ, were chosen to contrast with the ACLU.

The ACLU generally does not accept cases in which:

Criminal cases, or complaints about a person's attorney in a criminal case.