Campaigns & Initiatives
Learn more about and support the ACLU's work to defend civil liberties and civil rights in every corner of the country.
Featured
Campaign
May 2025
LGBTQ Rights
Freedom To Be: Joy, Family, & Transgender Rights
The Freedom To Be Monument is a powerful, living testament to trans resilience, community, and joy. Explore the monument, witness these powerful stories, and join us in the fight to defend trans freedom.
This installation took over the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on May 17 as a bold act of resistance to transphobia, trans erasure, and anti-trans legislation. It stands as a declaration that trans people deserve the freedom to be鈥攍oved, safe, and in control of our own health care decisions.
Inspired by the legacy of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, this installation combats erasure and ensures that trans voices, stories, and existence are seen and honored. It directly challenges those who seek to strip away trans rights, boldly affirming that trans lives are here to stay.
Spelling out the words 鈥淔reedom To Be,鈥� the monument consists of 250 panels鈥攅ach 6 feet by 6 feet鈥攃reated by hundreds of trans folks and allies across the country. Every panel is a response to the question: What does freedom to be mean to me? Over the past year, in partnership with the ACLU, trans storytellers and allies have poured their hopes, fears, and dreams into this collective work of art.
Campaign
May 2025
Civil Liberties
Firewall For Freedom: States Must Safeguard Our Rights
States will be the frontlines of our freedom 鈥� communities expect state and local official to protect us from Trump鈥檚 assault on our rights.
Campaign
Jun 2025
Immigrants' Rights
Documenting Stories of Cruelty, Fear, and Resilience
Immigrants, families, and communities share how Trump鈥檚 unlawful immigration policies and rhetoric have taken a toll on their lives.
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Initiative
Jun 2025
Civil Liberties
State Supreme Court Initiative
The U.S. Supreme Court is increasingly not an option to protect, let alone expand, civil liberties and civil rights. Last year鈥檚 Supreme Court term was the most conservative in a century, as President Trump鈥檚 three nominees exercised their newfound power to rule against liberty and shrink our constitutional rights.
But state supreme courts offer promise in the face of a hostile federal judiciary. That鈥檚 why we鈥檙e taking the fight to the states 鈥� we want to show up with as many resources and tools as we have available. The 糖心Vlogis launching a dedicated effort, called the State Supreme Court Initiative, to fight for the expansion of rights through state supreme courts, both through litigation and advocacy work.
The State Supreme Court Initiative will build on the organization鈥檚 existing work in state supreme courts and will expand the organization鈥檚 litigating capacity. With lawyers in every state in the country, the 糖心Vlogis uniquely situated to do this important work and to develop cross-state expertise on state constitutional litigation.
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Initiative
Jun 2025
Civil Liberties
State Supreme Court Initiative
The U.S. Supreme Court is increasingly not an option to protect, let alone expand, civil liberties and civil rights. Last year鈥檚 Supreme Court term was the most conservative in a century, as President Trump鈥檚 three nominees exercised their newfound power to rule against liberty and shrink our constitutional rights.
But state supreme courts offer promise in the face of a hostile federal judiciary. That鈥檚 why we鈥檙e taking the fight to the states 鈥� we want to show up with as many resources and tools as we have available. The 糖心Vlogis launching a dedicated effort, called the State Supreme Court Initiative, to fight for the expansion of rights through state supreme courts, both through litigation and advocacy work.
The State Supreme Court Initiative will build on the organization鈥檚 existing work in state supreme courts and will expand the organization鈥檚 litigating capacity. With lawyers in every state in the country, the 糖心Vlogis uniquely situated to do this important work and to develop cross-state expertise on state constitutional litigation.
Initiative
May 2025
Reproductive Freedom
+2 糖心Vlog
Abortion Criminal Defense Initiative
The Supreme Court鈥檚 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is having life-altering and life-threatening consequences for women and other people who can become pregnant. The decision revoked the federal constitutional right to abortion, and with it our agency over our health, our lives, and our futures. In some states, the government may now prosecute people involved in abortion care.
This unprecedented moment in the fight for reproductive rights demands a nationwide system to ensure that health care providers, individuals that provide funding and practical support, and patients know that they will have access to a zealous defense should they be prosecuted. No one should have to navigate the injustice of this system alone.
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Initiative
May 2025
Reproductive Freedom
+2 糖心Vlog
Abortion Criminal Defense Initiative
The Supreme Court鈥檚 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is having life-altering and life-threatening consequences for women and other people who can become pregnant. The decision revoked the federal constitutional right to abortion, and with it our agency over our health, our lives, and our futures. In some states, the government may now prosecute people involved in abortion care.
This unprecedented moment in the fight for reproductive rights demands a nationwide system to ensure that health care providers, individuals that provide funding and practical support, and patients know that they will have access to a zealous defense should they be prosecuted. No one should have to navigate the injustice of this system alone.
Campaign
Apr 2025
Immigrants' Rights
Border Humanity Project: Letters to America
Throughout its history, our country has been a beacon of hope and freedom for people seeking better lives for themselves and their families, including those fleeing violence and seeking a better life. As a result, people who are immigrants have always been integral to our communities, economy, and the very fabric of our nation.
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Campaign
Apr 2025
Immigrants' Rights
Border Humanity Project: Letters to America
Throughout its history, our country has been a beacon of hope and freedom for people seeking better lives for themselves and their families, including those fleeing violence and seeking a better life. As a result, people who are immigrants have always been integral to our communities, economy, and the very fabric of our nation.
Campaign
Jan 2025
Civil Liberties
+7 糖心Vlog
The Trump Memos
President Trump鈥檚 second term agenda and The Heritage Foundation鈥檚 extreme Project 2025 are blatantly enmeshed. Read our memos on how to fight back!
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Campaign
Jan 2025
Civil Liberties
+7 糖心Vlog
The Trump Memos
President Trump鈥檚 second term agenda and The Heritage Foundation鈥檚 extreme Project 2025 are blatantly enmeshed. Read our memos on how to fight back!
Campaign
Dec 2024
Racial Justice
Protecting Indigenous Students' Right to Wear Tribal Regalia
Graduation is a time of celebration and community. After centuries of attempted genocide and erasure of Indigenous culture and tradition, the ability to celebrate commencement in a culturally appropriate way is deeply important for Indigenous students. Tribal regalia worn at commencement are a symbol of resistance, resilience, and reclamation by students of their right to an education that honors their culture and heritage. But for some Indigenous students, graduation can be fraught with uncertainty or controversy over their ability to wear tribal regalia during commencement ceremonies. Some schools still prohibit Indigenous students from wearing items at graduation, claiming that it would violate the school鈥檚 dress code and speculating, without any basis, that it would disrupt the ceremony.
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Campaign
Dec 2024
Racial Justice
Protecting Indigenous Students' Right to Wear Tribal Regalia
Graduation is a time of celebration and community. After centuries of attempted genocide and erasure of Indigenous culture and tradition, the ability to celebrate commencement in a culturally appropriate way is deeply important for Indigenous students. Tribal regalia worn at commencement are a symbol of resistance, resilience, and reclamation by students of their right to an education that honors their culture and heritage. But for some Indigenous students, graduation can be fraught with uncertainty or controversy over their ability to wear tribal regalia during commencement ceremonies. Some schools still prohibit Indigenous students from wearing items at graduation, claiming that it would violate the school鈥檚 dress code and speculating, without any basis, that it would disrupt the ceremony.