Backgrounder

ACLU-- The American Civil Liberties Union

• According to the ACLU website, the organization attempts to protect these rights:

First Amendment rights - freedom of speech, association and assembly; freedom of the press, and freedom of religion, right to equal protection under the law - equal treatment regardless of race, sex, religion or national origin, right to due process - fair treatment by the government whenever the loss of your liberty or property is at stake, and right to privacy - freedom from unwarranted government intrusion into your personal and private affairs

• Major Issues of the ACLU to name a couple are: The Patriot Act, Affirmative Action, Crosses in Federal Cemeteries, Ballot Access, Motor Voter Law, Campaign Financing Reform, Election Reform, Felon Enfranchisement, and Minority Voting Rights
• Major Advocates: Civil Liberty Activists
  Kurt Vonnegut, author
  Michael Dukakis, Democratic former Governor of Massachusetts
• The ACLU’s 2007 Financial Statement