A Century of Hard-Won Battles: A Year of Action in Texas

A Message from Terri Burke, Executive Director

As 2019 comes to a close I am looking back at this year’s battles, even as we plan for what lies ahead. We’ve witnessed the Trump administration and its Texan counterparts continue multi-pronged attacks on non-white, non-male, non-wealthy people in America. Some of our hardest battles were waged against restrictions on voting rights; attacks on immigrants and border communities; attempts to marginalize transgender school students; new Jim Crow-like policies contributing to mass incarceration; and threats to access to abortion with municipal “sanctuary cities for the unborn” abortion bans.

Whatever changes the 2020 election brings, a mountainous mess of backwards, harmful, discriminatory policy will remain—with decades-long consequences.

For nearly 100 years, the ACLU has fought for, and defended, every gain to protect and expand the promise of the Bill of Rights.

Over decades we’ve honed our ability to respond to the most pressing attacks on civil liberties. In just this past year in Texas, we’ve ramped up our litigation work; launched high-profile electoral work; and expanded advocacy and outreach. In turn we’ve exerted increased pressure on elected officials and enjoyed new victories.

What happens in Texas moves the nation. Your support ensures that, no matter who’s in office, they’ll remain up against the strongest ACLU in history, holding government accountable to that bedrock promise of our democracy.

Thank you for standing with us in this fight,

Terri Burke
Executive Director, ACLU of Texas