WHAT WE DO
The ACLU of Missouri defends civil liberties and the principles of equality and justice in Missouri through its litigation, legislative, communications and community engagement programs. The ACLU was founded in 1920 as the first public interest law firm of its kind, and is recognized as the country's foremost advocate of individual rights. We base our work largely on the U.S. and Missouri Constitutions, which, along with state and federal laws, protects certain fundamental rights of individuals against the power of the government and will of the majority. Our core issues of focus are:
Our Vision
The ACLU of Missouri envisions a fair and just state where everyone has equal access to civil rights and liberties, and the government is accountable to and representative of all people.
Our Mission
Our non-profit, non-partisan law firm's mission is to defend and extend civil liberties, to achieve the promise of equality and liberty for all in Missouri, through impact litigation and campaigns, narrative and legislative advocacy, and community education and engagement.
HOW WE WORK
The ACLU of Missouri is one affiliate in a 50-state network of ACLU offices coordinated by a national office in New York and aided by a legislative office in Washington that lobbies Congress. As an affiliate, the ACLU of Missouri operates in Missouri, taking on civil liberties cases in the state. In all of our work, we collaborate with the pursuit of common national organization goals.
We work in the courts through litigation, in communities through public education and community engagement, and through our legislative work at the local and state levels.
The ACLU, a nonprofit organization, is supported by annual dues and contributions from its members, plus grants from private foundations and individuals. Because we do not solicit or accept government funding, we depend on donations from our members and other supporters. For more information on supporting the ACLU, go to our Support the ACLU page.