American Civil Liberties Union

National Security:
Throughout U.S. history "national security" has often been used as a pretext for massive violations of individual rights. The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 mobilized our country in the fight against terrorism. However, this also launched a serious civil liberties crises. The ACLU continues to challenge policies like the USA Patriot Act, and creates campaigns like Safe and Free.

National Security : Resources

Audio: Clients and Attorneys Discuss the ACLU v. NSA Case (01/30/2007)

Why the "Registered Traveler" Program Will Not Make Airline Passengers Any Safer (08/17/2006)

Organizations and People Supporting the NSA Lawsuit (04/20/2006)

Presidential Powers, NSA Spying, and the War on Terrorism: Americans’ Attitudes on Recent Events (02/24/2006)
This poll was conducted by the Washington-based firm Belden, Russonello & Stewart, and measures voters’ attitudes toward the warrantless surveillance of Americans by the National Security Agency.

ACLU Sues to Stop Illegal Spying on Americans, Saying President Is Not Above the Law (01/17/2006)
In an effort to end the Bush administration's illegal spying on Americans, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against the National Security Agency, Jan. 17, 2006. The NSA is a secret electronic surveillance program that has been in place since shortly after the U.S. terrorist attacks.

9/11 Commission (12/06/2004)

April 5th, 2004, DOJ OLC Opinion Condoning Controversial FBI Surveillance Tactics (08/16/2004)
The Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel issued this previously undisclosed memorandum in support of the FBI's controversial surveillance of peaceful protesters. The memo was issued in response to an internal complaint by a government employee.

Freedom of Expression (03/01/2002)
Freedom of speech, of the press, of association, of assembly and petition -- this set of guarantees, protected by the First Amendment, comprises what we refer to as freedom of expression. The Supreme Court has written that this freedom is "the matrix, the indispensable condition of nearly every other form of freedom." Without it, other fundamental rights, like the right to vote, would wither and die.

Links to other National Security-related Sites (02/20/2002)
The following sites provide comprehensive or unique resources relating to the work of the ACLU in this issue area. While some of these sites are operated by organizations that work frequently in coalition with the ACLU, the sites may also include materials on positions we do not share. To report a broken or relocated link, or to suggest a site for inclusion on this page, use the feedback button at the bottom of this page.

Privacy in America: Computers, Phones and Privacy (12/31/1997)

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