Security & Civil Liberties

Throughout this country's history, the phrase 'national security' has often been used as a pretext for massive violations of individual rights. In the name of national security, President Wilson authorized the round-up and deportation of thousands of foreign-born suspected "radicals" during the Palmer Raids; and President Franklin Roosevelt interned 120,000 Japanese Americans.

Most recently, the terrorist attacks on September 11 mobilized much of our country in the fight against terrorism. However, this wave of 'anti-terrorist' activity, all in the name of national security, also launched one of the most serious civil liberties crises our nation has ever seen.

An immutable characteristic of our nation is freedom. If we allow the interests of 'national security' to take away our freedoms, we surrender what it is to be an American.

Issues

• Real ID

Press Releases

• State House Defends Fundamental Liberty in Vote on DNA Bill, Says ACLU of PA 10.18.2012
• ACLU of Pennsylvania Disappointed After PA House Passes Spying Bill 06.13.2012
• State House Committee Passes Bill to Increase Spying Power of Government and Civilians, Says ACLU of PA 06.05.2012
• Governor Corbett Protects Privacy Rights by Signing Bill to Block Real ID, Says ACLU of PA 05.09.2012
• PA House Sends Real ID Opt Out Bill to Governor, Says ACLU of PA 04.03.2012
• ACLU of PA: Government Officials Want More Spying Power in Wiretap Act 03.20.2012
• State Senate Unanimously Passes Bill to Block Real ID 10.17.2011
• ACLU Of Pennsylvania Seeks Records About FBI Collection Of Racial And Ethnic Data 07.27.2010
• State Senate Protects Pennsylvanians' Privacy Rights by Passing Bill to Block Real ID, Says ACLU of PA 06.15.2010
• ACLU Sues Over Airport Detention And Interrogation Of College Student Carrying Arabic Flashcards 02.10.2010
• Rights Groups Sue Authorities for First Amendment Violations in Advance of G-20 Summit 09.11.2009
• Senate Committee Passes Bill Backed by ACLU of PA to Block Federal ID Program 06.10.2009
• State can save millions of dollars by blocking Real ID, ACLU suggests 01.14.2009
• ACLU Sues Federal Government For Wrongly Putting Muslim Airline Pilot and His Wife On 'Terrorist Watch List' 08.19.2008
• PA House Passes Bill to Block Real ID 06.27.2008
• Government Revoked Muslim Nuclear Physicist's Security Clearance To Retaliate For Criticism Of U.S. Policy, Says ACLU 06.26.2008
• ACLU of PA Praises Casey for Vote on Real ID Amendment in Immigration Bill 06.29.2007
• ACLU Calls for State Department and DHS to Stop Deportation of Christian to Egypt 06.04.2007
• ACLU Calls on Pennsylvania to Join Nationwide Rebellion Against Real ID 03.05.2007
• Pennsylvania Voters Seek Stronger Role for Congress in Checking President's Actions, Poll Shows 10.10.2006
• ACLU-PA Announces Series of Town Hall Meetings on Abuse of Executive Power 06.28.2006

Legal Cases

• FOIA Request on FBI Records (FOIA requests to local FBI offices to obtain information about the agency's collection and use of racial and ethnic data )
• George v. TSA (College student arrested at airport for having Arabic language flashcards in carry-on luggage)
• Code Pink vs US Secret Service (Protest groups sue federal and city authorities for right to hold peaceful G20 demonstrations.)