The American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is our nation's guardian of liberty. We work daily in courts, legislatures and in the community to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.
The American system of government is founded on two counterbalancing principles: that the majority of the people governs, through democratically elected representatives; and that the power even of a democratic majority must be limited, to ensure individual rights.
The ACLU has maintained the position that civil liberties must be respected, even in times of national emergency. The ACLU is supported by annual dues and contributions from more than 500,000 members, plus grants from private foundations and individuals. We do not receive any government funding.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas
The ACLU of Texas is proud to be the eighth largest ACLU affiliate in the United States, with more than 17,000 card-carrying members across our state. Sustained by a dedicated board of directors, a small staff and dozens of dedicated volunteers, the ACLU of Texas and its predecessor, the Texas Civil Liberties Union, have been at the forefront of the struggle for civil rights in Texas since 1938.
The ACLU of Texas advocates
- personal privacy
- freedom from unreasonable searches
- religious liberty
- humane treatment of prisoners
- reproductive rights
- freedom from unconstitutional discrimination
In the past five years, the number of ACLU members in Texas has more than doubled, our staff has grown from 3 to more than a dozen, and our annual budgets quadrupled. Today the ACLU of Texas and the ACLU Foundation of Texas do more than ever before to protect civil rights and civil liberties in the courtrooms of Texas, at the Texas Legislature, and in large and small communities throughout the Lone Star State.
The ACLU of Texas is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Texas Civil Liberties Union in 2008. Click here to download a PDF version of our history booklet.
Get involved!
Join the ACLU, renew your membership if it has lapsed, or make a donation. Volunteer with your local chapter. Sign up for email alerts. Learn about career opportunities. Visit our Liberty Blog.
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