About the ACLU
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 and its members are deeply engaged in protecting
our fundamental freedoms, from building momentum for
Patriot Act reform, to leading the charge on free speech,
reproductive rights, accountability for government-sanctioned
torture, and religious liberty, including challenges to
"intelligent design" in our children's classrooms.
As a visitor to our website, you are already interested in
the battles we are fighting and winning. Today, we face
unprecedented challenges, and our 500,000 members are more
important than ever in helping to preserve the liberties
we all hold dear.
If you aren't a member, we urge you to join the ACLU and
stand with us now.
Become a card-carrying member of the ACLU.
If you are already a member, please help us increase our strength by
inviting your friends and family
to join you in standing up for freedom with the ACLU.
Every new member will add their voice to the chorus that is
growing louder every day, questioning the policies and
practices that put our freedoms at risk and taking action
to remedy them. Your membership will make a difference.
Now is the time.
Join us today.
The ACLU's mission is to fight civil liberties
violations wherever and whenever they occur. Most of
our clients are ordinary people who have experienced
an injustice and have decided to fight back. The ACLU
is also active in our national and state capitals,
fighting to ensure that the
Bill of Rights
will always be more than a "parchment barrier"
against government oppression and the tyranny of the majority. And the
Berkeley/North East Bay Chapter
of the ACLU is active at a local level to defend your civil liberties.
As a private, non-profit organization, the ACLU
receives no government funding and never charges
its clients for legal representation. Its existence
depends entirely upon private donations, foundation
grants, court-awarded legal fees from successful
cases, and membership fees.
Read a brief history
to learn more about the ACLU.
Then join the ACLU.
Looking for the UC Berkeley Student Chapter? Visit its website or join them on Facebook.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Search our website.
