Why does the ACLU defend the rights of groups such as the Nazis or the Ku Klux Klan?
If the government can take away rights from one person, it can take rights away from anyone. For example, the principle by which the Ku Klux Klan has the right to march is the same one that allows civil rights activists to march against racism. Our Bill of Rights and our laws should apply equally to all those living in the United States. The ACLU’s mission is to defend the Bill of Rights – even if that means defending an organization or individual whose message we despise. Read “Why the ACLU Defends Free Speech for Unpopular Groups.
Certainly not because the ACLU agrees with the philosophy of these extremist groups! The fact is, however, that within our system of government, our Bill of Rights and our laws should apply equally to all those living in our society. The ACLU works to defend the Bill of Rights- even if that means defending an organization or individual we despise. We believe the best antidote to those who espouse hate is to guarantee everyone’s freedom of speech. Ultimately, people of goodwill – through their exercise of free speech – will prevail.
