Description
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
Since its founding in 1920, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has led the fight to protect our most precious rights and freedoms. We always stand ready to challenge abuse of government power at the national, state, local and even school board level.
The ACLU has grown from a roomful of civil liberties activists at its inception to an organization of more than 500,000 members and supporters with a national office in New York City, 54 state affiliate offices nationwide and a legislative office in Washington, DC.
No fight for civil liberties ever stays won”
– Roger Baldwin, founder of the national ACLU
The defense of civil liberties knows no political party bounds, which is why the ACLU remains nonpartisan. We have joined in coalitions with conservatives and progressives alike on a wide array of issues—from reforming the intrusive powers of the Patriot Act to blocking infringements upon our First Amendment rights.
The ACLU is the premier civil rights organization in our country, earning widespread respect and admiration for its consistent defense of constitutionally based principles. We work in the courts, in the state and federal legislatures, and at the grassroots level to defend the Constitution wherever it is threatened.
ACLU OF DELAWARE
The ACLU-DE, the local affiliate of the national ACLU, was established in 1961. We are a first resort when the government threatens our rights in Delaware and a last hope when we are deprived of our liberties.
ACLU-DE has played an important role in Delaware history, especially in the arena of education:
In 1975, ACLU-DE, under the leadership of Gerry Kandler, prevailed on the State of Delaware to provide children with physical and intellectual handicaps full access to education. These efforts help spur educational equality throughout the country.
ACLU-DE also played a significant role that led to the desegregation of schools in the City of Wilmington in the 1980’s. This action also had an impact on desegregation nationally.
In the 1990’s, the ACLU-DE was instrumental in reforms to the Ferris School for Boys, which is now a national model as a state-of-the-art juvenile secure care facility.