Civil rights are the fundamental liberties that all Americans should enjoy as a matter of basic morality, as well as Constitutional protection. Several organizations exist to protect one aspect or another of our civil rights and liberties. But the American Civil Rights Union (ACRU) will be dedicated to protecting our fundamental rights and liberties across the board.
The ACRU initially will focus, in particular, on those areas of our civil rights which are ignored, or even actively undermined, by other supposed civil liberties groups. These include the following:
Property Rights
In our view, property rights are both justified by basic morality and protected by the Constitution. Yet, they are routinely ignored in discussions of public policy, and their constitutional protections are hardly enforced.
Freedom of Religion
Freedom of religion is protected as well by both basic morality and the Constitution. Yet, that freedom is increasingly restricted today by improper and unjustifiable readings of the Establishment Clause. The Government should not be involved in coercively promoting or endorsing religion. But all Americans should be free to express their religious views in all public forums as well as private venues. Moreover, they should not be excluded from public activities or programs on the basis of their religious activities, but must be allowed to participate on the same equal terms as everyone else.
Equality Under the Law
Both basic morality and the Constitution require that all Americans be treated equally under the law regardless of race, religion, or national origin. But this principle has been broadly undermined in American life today through racial quotas and preferences and other race conscious policies.
Right to Keep and Bear Arms
Our Constitution wisely protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms, and this is necessary for individuals to exercise the basic moral right of self-defense. We will seek broader recognition of this fundamental Constitutional and moral right.
Individual Liberty and Federalism
Our Constitution expressly provides that the powers not delegated to the federal government are to be reserved to the States, or to the people. Yet, this basic constitutional framework of our government is now routinely ignored. We will seek recognition of sound doctrines of Federalism and individual liberties reserved to the people in all aspects of federal policy.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of the rights and liberties the ACRU will seek to support and protect. We will also vigorously support freedom of speech and of the press, sound principles of criminal justice, and proper voting processes and procedures, among others. In some cases, we will join other established groups when we agree with them on important issues and in others we will vigorously oppose and criticize them when they are wrong.
The ACRU will carry out its mission through several activities. We will publish papers, studies and commentaries to advance a sound understanding of important issues. We will conduct forums, debates, and conferences to advance these ideas as well. We will seek to identify key test cases and find counsel to pursue them in court. We will monitor judicial appointments and performances and express our views on nominees and the judicial conduct of those who are confirmed. We will monitor the activities of existing organizations and express our views on their positions as well.
I should state that not all state ACLU chapters are anti RKBA. The National office, West Coast, and the Northeast chapters tend to be leftist, but the Mountain, Mid-west and Southern chapters tend to be more Libertarian.