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ACLU Nebraska
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ACLU Nebraska Mission Statement
ACLU Nebraska, an organization with a diverse membership,
is committed to the protection of civil liberties of all persons. These
liberties include those rights secured by the Constitutions of the Unites
States and the State of Nebraska.
Individual rights are central to the organizing
principles of our nation. Protection of these rights takes priority over
government efficiency and the will of the majority.
ACLU Nebraska works through its legal, legislative, and
public education programs to protect and promote civil liberties throughout
the State of the Nebraska.
Basic Principles
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FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION: Government may not censor
speech, press, or other modes of expression. (1st Amendment)
- RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: Government may not infringe
on people’s beliefs and activities, either directly (by restricting the
free exercise of religion), or indirectly (by promoting its own religious
preferences). (1st Amendment)
- RIGHT TO PRIVACY: Government may not search
one’s home, body, or possessions without meeting strict standards of
"probable cause." (4th Amendment) Also, government may not
intrude into personal and family issues such as marriage, sexuality,
childbearing, education, birth control, abortion, etc. (General
principle underlying 4th, 14th, and several other amendments and
recognized by the Supreme Court since the 1920’s)
- DUE PROCESS OF LAW: Persons accused of crimes
have the right to a prompt and fair trial. (5th, 6th, and 7th
Amendments)
- APPROPRIATE PUNISHMENT: Persons convicted of
crimes may be punished, but punishments may not be excessive, cruel or
unusual. (8th Amendment)
- EQUALITY UNDER THE LAW: Government may not
discriminate on the basis of mere prejudices. People have a right to
equal treatment regardless of their beliefs, religion, race, ethnicity,
gender, sexual orientation, etc. (14th Amendment and civil rights laws)
- CENTRALITY OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS: Individual
rights are central to the American way of life and must be respected even
when they compromise governmental efficiency or are contrary to the will
of the majority. Our government is one of limited powers and legislators
should oppose laws that unnecessarily compromise the fundamental rights of
individuals. Courts may and should strike down laws that violate people’s
constitutional rights. (9th Amendment, constitutional theory, intent of
the framers and a long history of judicial decisions)
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