What did the ACLU argue in 2015?

Asked by: Khalid Mraz  |  Last update: February 12, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (21 votes)

In 2015, the ACLU argued for greater government transparency, challenging mass surveillance programs (like NSA metadata collection under Patriot Act Section 215) and seeking public access to secret court opinions, while also winning landmark legal battles for LGBTQ+ rights in Obergefell v. Hodges, advocating for criminal justice reform, and fighting discrimination against LGBT individuals. Key efforts focused on holding the government accountable for its surveillance practices and expanding privacy and civil rights.

What issues does the ACLU oppose?

The ACLU's current positions include opposing the death penalty; supporting same-sex marriage and the right of LGBTQ+ people to adopt; supporting reproductive rights such as birth control and abortion rights; eliminating discrimination against women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ people; decarceration in the United States; ...

What was the famous case of the ACLU?

Protecting Students' Free Speech in 1969:

In Tinker v. Des Moines, the ACLU won a major Supreme Court victory on behalf of public school students suspended for wearing black armbands in protest of the Vietnam War, a major First Amendment victory.

Has the ACLU ever defended the 2nd Amendment?

Does the ACLU support the Second Amendment as an individual right? No. The ACLU interprets the Second Amendment as a collective right tied to state militias, not an individual right to own firearms. Why does the ACLU oppose some gun control laws?

Why is ACLU controversial?

Some of the ACLU's more controversial stances involve its support of unpopular people or organizations in holding to its position that all citizens and residents of the United States be allowed to exercise their free speech rights.

ACLU v. NSA arguments in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals

28 related questions found

Does the ACLU support LGBTQ?

Yes, the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) strongly supports LGBTQ+ rights, working to end discrimination, ensure equal rights and protections, and promote freedom, dignity, and fair treatment for LGBTQ+ individuals through legal action, advocacy, and public education. They are actively fighting against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, particularly bills targeting transgender youth, and have a long history of defending LGBTQ+ rights, from early cases challenging censorship to securing marriage equality. 

What is the ACLU stance on gun control?

The ACLU, however, has long maintained that its position on the Second Amendment is nuanced and suggested there could be gun laws that threaten civil liberties. Even as the group defended the federal gun ban for suspected domestic abusers in U.S. v.

Which amendment gives the right to overthrow the government?

“From the floor of the House of Representatives to Truth Social, my GOP colleagues routinely assert that the Second Amendment is about 'the ability to maintain an armed rebellion against the government if that becomes necessary,' that it was 'designed purposefully to empower the people to be able to resist the force of ...

Is gun ownership a right or a privilege?

The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees a "right of the people to keep and bear arms." However, the meaning of this clause cannot be understood apart from the purpose, the setting, and the objectives of the draftsmen.

Who funds the ACLU?

The ACLU is funded by private sources, primarily individual donations, membership dues, and grants from private foundations, receiving no government funding, with its activities split between the ACLU (for lobbying) and the tax-deductible ACLU Foundation (for litigation/education). Major supporters include figures like George Soros's Open Society Institute, Ford Foundation, and individual donors, with funds supporting its legal, lobbying, and public education work.
 

What was the worst Court case in history?

The Supreme Court's WORST Ever Case: Dred Scott v Sandford - American History Hit | Acast.

What cases has the ACLU won?

The ACLU is committed to fight for freedom and the protection of constitutional rights for generations to come.

  • SOME HIGHLIGHTS.
  • 1920 - Palmer Raids. ...
  • 1925 - The Scopes Case. ...
  • 1942 - Fighting the Internment of Japanese Americans. ...
  • 1954 - Brown v. ...
  • 1969 - Protecting Free Speech. ...
  • 1973 - Reproductive Rights.

What is the biggest problem in civil rights today?

Great inequality and discrimination still exist in our school systems, our criminal justice system, and other aspects of our lives. Research shows, for example, the need to address the employment and housing discrimination that still exist.

What is the opposite of the ACLU?

The ACLJ arose in part as a right-leaning political answer to the American Civil Liberties Union, which has a different interpretation of First Amendment protection of religious rights. The name and acronym, ACLJ, were chosen to contrast with the ACLU.

Does gun control violate the 2nd Amendment?

Gun control's constitutionality under the Second Amendment is a complex, ongoing legal debate, but Supreme Court rulings (like District of Columbia v. Heller and McDonald v. City of Chicago) affirm an individual's right to bear arms for self-defense while also acknowledging that this right isn't unlimited and allows for reasonable regulations, leading lower courts to uphold many gun safety laws like background checks, assault weapon bans, and restrictions for dangerous individuals, though some recent rulings challenge broader restrictions. 

What does the 27th Amendment say?

The 27th Amendment says that any law changing the salaries of U.S. Senators and Representatives cannot take effect until after the next election for the House of Representatives, preventing lawmakers from giving themselves immediate pay raises and giving voters a chance to weigh in. This amendment, originally proposed in 1789, was ratified in 1992, making it the most recent addition to the Constitution, with the longest ratification period in U.S. history. 

What does God say about weapons?

The Bible never forbids a Christian from owning a weapon, but it does offer some principles to consider. First, Christians are called to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:10). A Christian considering the purchase of a weapon should prayerfully consider if doing so would aid in peace-making.

Who can overthrow the president?

The Constitution gives Congress the authority to impeach and remove "The President, Vice President, and all civil Officers of the United States" upon a determination that such officers have engaged in treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

What does article 7 of the US Constitution say?

Article VII of the U.S. Constitution is about the ratification process, stating that nine of the thirteen states needed to approve it through special state conventions for the Constitution to become the law of the land, replacing the Articles of Confederation. It established the conditions for the new government to take effect and included the date the Constitution was signed (September 17, 1787). 

What rights are not absolute?

Constitutional rights are not and cannot always be absolute. There are limits to them. For example, a person cannot publish lies that destroy another person's reputation and claim that the right to free speech protects him or her from a lawsuit.

Do Democrats or Republicans have more gun violence?

Fifteen of the 20 states with the highest firearm mortality rates are led by Republicans. However, Republican lawmakers have historically used gun-related crime rates against Democrats. After the May 2, 2022, Robb Elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that left 21 people dead, Gov.

What state has the freest gun laws?

There isn't one single state with the absolute loosest gun laws, as different states excel in lax regulations across various areas, but Mississippi and Wyoming consistently rank as having the weakest overall gun laws, with Mississippi having minimal policies and Wyoming lacking many common safety regulations like universal background checks. Other states like New Hampshire, West Virginia, Montana, and Arizona also feature very lenient laws, with permitless carry and strong self-defense protections being common themes. 

Can the right to bear arms be taken away?

Yes, the right to bear arms can be restricted or lost for certain individuals through laws and court rulings, but a complete federal repeal of the Second Amendment is extremely difficult, requiring a lengthy constitutional amendment process. Restrictions often target felons, the mentally ill, or those with restraining orders, while laws also regulate weapon types and places like schools, but the Supreme Court has affirmed an individual right, even while allowing "presumptively lawful" regulations.