OUR MISSION
ACLU of Maryland exists to empower Marylanders to exercise their rights so that the law values and uplifts their humanity.
OUR VISION
Maryland’s people are united in affirming and exercising their rights in order to address inequities and fulfill the country’s unrealized promise of justice and freedom for all.
OUR CORE VALUES
Transparency
We are committed to open communication and honesty about our intentions, actions, and decisions.
Collaboration
We partner with those who share our values to protect civil rights and civil liberties.
Equity
We value people’s humanity, and are informed by historic and ongoing wrongs, so that we create processes and outcomes that balance the scales of justice.
Integrity
We can be counted on to honor our mission and values.
Accountability
We listen and align our actions to serve the people of Maryland and are answerable to the promises we make.
RACE EQUITY STATEMENT
The ACLU of Maryland is committed to centering race equity in our work, internally and externally, in order to better support and be accountable to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, whose civil rights and civil liberties are systematically threatened by white supremacy. We know that the ACLU of Maryland operates within and is often privileged by white supremacy.
We understand that many of the institutions within which the ACLU of Maryland operates, including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, were founded upon and are sustained by white supremacy. We aim not only to defend people’s rights but also to upend the systems of bias that undergird these institutions. It is not sufficient to defend civil rights and civil liberties without also challenging the systems that perpetuate white supremacy, which itself fuels the rights violations that the ACLU of Maryland is pledged to challenge. We must challenge white supremacist norms that privilege our organization, and disadvantage BIPOC children, families, communities, and institutions.
We will continue to learn about how structural racism and white supremacy operate in society and in our own organization in ways that diminish and minimize the contributions and power of BIPOC. We will use intentional strategies to address racial inequity where we find it in our work both internally and externally. We hope that by making this commitment, the ACLU of Maryland can contribute to a more racially equitable reality, which we believe is vital to address inequities and fulfill the country's unrealized promise of justice and freedom for all.
BLACK LIVES MATTER
Because Black Lives Matter, the ACLU of Maryland works to end racism and oppression against Black people.
The ACLU of Maryland knows that Black people deserve to always have their whole selves and voices considered and valued in the laws, policies, and practices of our institutions, particularly in our government.
THE BARE FACTS
Founded: March 8, 1931- the 10th state ACLU affiliate. (National ACLU founded in 1920).
Membership Size: Approximately 42,000 in Maryland; nationwide there are more than 2 million members, activists and supporters; Dues $20.00/ year and up (dues not tax-deductible).
Tax-deductible Gifts: may be made to the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Maryland (ACLUF-MD), the ACLU-MD's tax-deductible arm. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) involved in litigation and public education.
Jurisdiction: State of Maryland
ACLU of Maryland headquarters is located in Baltimore City.
American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland and ACLU Foundation of Maryland: What is the Difference?
The ACLU is comprised of two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland and the ACLU Foundation of Maryland. Although both the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland and the ACLU Foundation of Maryland are part of the same overall organization, it is necessary that the ACLU of Maryland have two separate organizations in order for the ACLU of Maryland to do a broad range of work in protecting civil liberties. This website collectively refers to the two organizations under the name "ACLU of Maryland".
American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland Records
Consistent with its support of freedom of information and informed public discourse on matters of public interest, the American Civil Liberties Union Archives will be completely open to researchers. However, sections of the Archives shall be closed for stated periods of time to protect privacy, confidentiality, and attorney/client privilege. Click here too see the records housed to the University of Baltimore-Langsdale Library Special Collections.