McCloney 1

Arizona State University

The American Civil Liberties Union and the Role it Plays in National Service

Brennan McCloney

National Service and American Democracy - CPP112

Dr. Eisen-Cohen

12 May 2020
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Brennan M. McCloney

Dr. Eisen-Cohen

National Service and American Democracy - CPP112

12 May 2020

The American Civil Liberties Union and the role it plays in National Service

This paper will explore the history and identity of the American Civil Liberties Union, or

ACLU, its ties and contributions to American democracy, how it engages as well as mobilizes its

role in a modern society.

1. History

"When one comes to think of it, there are no such things as divine, immutable, or

inalienable rights. Rights are things we get when we are strong enough to make good our claim

on them” (Keller, ACLU Montana). Helen Keller, a notable activist from the early twentieth

century, was a sounding voice and co-founder of the American Civil Liberties Union in 1920.

Following the first world war, many Americans were fearful of the spread of communism, after

the Russian Revolution was seen ripping Eastern Europe in two. During this time, then acting

United States Attorney General Mitchel Palmer began rounding up and deporting radicals and

foreigners on visa in the name of public safety. These round-ups, known to be called the Palmer

Raids were without warrants or proper Constitutional legal authority and thus a violation of
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American’s rights. Keller, along with several other activists formed the ACLU as an organisation

to protect the civil liberties we as Americans hold dear.

2. Identity

The American Civil Liberties Union has evolved over the years to become a prominent

voice of the people and defender of the rights protected by the United States Constitution.

Forming from a small group of idealists and activists, the ACLU has grown to over 1.5 million

members, and the nation's largest public interest law firm, all with the shared interest and identity

to preserve the citizen’s rights granted by law. With 100 staffed lawyers and over 2,000 volunteer

attorneys nation-wide, the organisation is able to unite for the common goal of protecting

American’s rights from undue or unjust government rulings at both the state and federal level.

This shared identity of volunteerism and practice of law unites many members and encourages

additional growth within the practice itself.

During the 1950’s, the racial divide in this country was fierce. As seen in the case Brown vs

Board of Education, the ACLU, along with the NAACP (National Association for the

Advancement of Colored People) battled the then normal practice of racially segregated schools

to the Supreme Court of the United States on grounds of a violation of the 14th Amendment.

This became a large token of the organisation's identity, and members shared response to unjust

activities within the country at the time. This identity that ACLU employed attorney’s shared,

was strong enough to not only unite for a common cause, but mobilize to take action against

injustice collectively.
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3. American Democracy

The ACLU’s main objective and mission is defending and preserving the rights enshrined

within the Constitution of the United States. As noted in previous course material, American

democracy is unique in the sense that we form associations to address problems within society

(ASU, CPP112, Module 4, Identity and Mobilization). This drive to identify an issue or multiple

issues on the national level, form an association through a collective and shared sense of service

and ultimately take on government within the court system truly defines American Democracy to

its core. The ACLU is heavily involved within the democratic process, as seen with the court

cases it argues as well as what the group unites and stands for. To defend all people and groups

equally, with no bias or agreement as to what the individual or group stands for, but rather to

defend their freedom to stand is what makes America truly free. “Once the government has the

power to violate one person's rights, it can use that power against everyone. We work to stop the

erosion of civil liberties before it's too late.” (ACLU). This long standing testament to preserve

the freedoms outlined in the Constitution has mobilized generation after generation of lawyers

and activists alike to pursue service in the interests of democracy rather than acknowledge the

power of few.

4. Engagement

The ACLU is heavily engaged within the world of politics. Political engagement

can be seen with the organisation’s litigation efforts, and offices within all fifty states.

The goal for widespread representation and protection of rights under law, in some cases

going all the way to the Supreme Court. The ACLU’s Washington DC Legislative Office
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also lobbies Congress and “utilizes strategic communication to educate the public about

issues” (ACLU). The ACLU is considered a membership organisation, and funds its

litigation efforts and lobbying through membership dues and donations from individuals

and private foundations. With its ACLU Vote initiative of 2016, the ACLU projects key

election dates, where to register to vote as well as scorecards detailing how members of

congress score on civil rights matters. Civic engagement in the post-9/11 world can be

seen through the development of volunteer-based initiatives and campaigns focused

around key civil rights movements such as protecting free speech, immigrants and

prisoner rights, and personal privacy rights. “A successful strategy for volunteer

engagement will inspire and motivate stakeholders to take action...impact local

community development and leadership, create goodwill, build the ACLU membership

base, and advance our fundraising goals” (ACLU Michigan).

5. Mobilization

Through digital services as seen with the ACLU Vote initiative, to offline efforts

such as the People Power activist network, the ACLU is mobilizing its members and

reeling the social capital required to double in size. As ACLU National Political

Advocacy Director Faiz Shakir said, “ We’re mobilizing the electorate and giving them

information they need to evaluate where candidates stand on civil rights and civil

liberties, no matter how high or low on the ballot” (aclu).

In conclusion, this paper explored the historical relevance of the ACLU, its

identity and what defines the organisation as a whole, the fundamental contributions to
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American Democracy in the modern world, and how the ACLU engages and mobilizes

its members to serve in the preservation of freedom. The dimensions of this

organization's identity can be viewed as patriotism, shared with many others such as

military service, as well as a common shared interest of public policy change, and a

defense of liberty. This identity is really what mobilizes the ACLU to action. Public

policy, law and lawyers in general are mobilized to act, giving the association the

collective action to make change. This collective to create change is the essence of

American Democracy. For people to come together in a shared identity, forming

associations and groups to address societal and political issues, and acting on their beliefs

and desires to enact change. As Dr. Koppel l said, “service requires action…”(ASU). This

service defines the ACLU and its actions are seen on the national level, representing all

people and all 50 states within the United States.

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Cited Sources

“ACLU of Montana.” ACLU of Montana, 5 May 2020, www.aclumontana.org/.

“America's Charities.” America's Charities, www.charities.org/.

“American Civil Liberties Union.” American Civil Liberties Union, www.aclu.org/.

Columbia ACLU, www.columbia.edu/cu/aclu/.

“Staff.” ACLU of Michigan, 2 Mar. 2020, www.aclumich.org/en/about/staff.

“| ASU.” ASU, CPP112, courses.ea.asu.edu/.