Issues

The rights guaranteed to individuals under suspicion, criminal defendants, and prisoners are fundamental rights that protect all Americans from governmental abuse of power.

The death penalty is the ultimate denial of civil liberties. Innocent people are being sentenced to death. Moreover, capital punishment is often unfairly and unjustly applied. The ACLU supports a moratorium on the death penalty.

Throughout U.S. history, "national security" has often been used as a pretext for massive violations of individual rights. If we allow the interests of "national security" to take away our freedoms, we surrender what it is to be an American.

Police have the vital and difficult job of protecting public safety. Performing this job effectively does not require sacrificing civil liberties or civil rights. All Oregon police agencies, from the state patrol to city police forces, need to respect the rights of individuals while enforcing the law.

Incarcerated individuals' constitutional rights stress that those who are incarcerated should be protected from inhumane treatment and be treated fairly.

Privacy and technology constitutional rights protect us from unwarranted government spying.

The ACLU works to stop discrimination based on race and ethnicity and to ensure equal opportunities for communities of color. We fight racial bias and advance civil rights.

The ACLU of Oregon strives to safeguard the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious liberty by ensuring that laws and governmental practices neither promote religion nor interfere with its free exercise.

The ACLU of Oregon works to ensure equal access to comprehensive, quality, affordable and confidential reproductive health, where personal decisions about sexual activity and child-bearing are informed, respected, supported and attainable.