Friend –

Imagine being a middle school history teacher and not being allowed to discuss "systemic racism" while teaching about slavery. This is just one of many restrictions on education that state lawmakers across the country are trying to make happen right now.

Classroom censorship bills and statewide campaigns to remove books from schools and public libraries – predominantly by and about communities of color, LGBTQ people, and other marginalized groups – are being fast-tracked in multiple states from Texas to Idaho.

The ACLU is meeting this surge of censorship with new litigation and fierce advocacy. We've already filed lawsuits in Oklahoma and New Hampshire, challenging these statewide classroom censorship bans. We won't stop fighting until students' rights to free speech and equitable education are fully protected but we need you with us.

To help ensure our teams have the resources we need to launch a tireless and relentless defense of freedom – we just secured a $45,000 Fiscal Year-End Match and are asking you to join us. Donate before March 31 and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to the $45,000 limit.

ACLU Supporter, so far in 2022 alone, state legislatures have introduced 71 new bills across 22 states that restrict discussions about race and gender in schools, many of which explicitly target K-12.

That would be dangerous enough, but opponents of civil liberties are also advancing racially-motivated voter suppression proposals, restricting access to abortion, and waging cruel and dangerous campaigns to ban transgender youth from sports and gender-affirming, life-saving health care.

With lawyers in all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico, the ACLU has demonstrated time and time again the powerful impact we can have when we react quickly and decisively to escalating threats in the states. But, with new challenges emerging every day, we urgently need the support of members like you.

Please make your Fiscal Year-End Match campaign donation by March 31 and it will be matched, doubling your impact in the fight against mounting state-by-state attacks on people’s rights.

At the ACLU, we believe that freedom of expression is the foundation of a vibrant democracy. Without it, other fundamental rights, like the right to vote, would wither away.

That's why, throughout our history, we've gone to court to protect the freedom of speech and the right to make up your own mind. And, with your support today, we'll keep fighting for this fundamental right as hard as it takes, for as long as it takes.

Thanks for all you do,

Emerson Sykes
Pronouns: He, him, his
Senior Staff Attorney
ACLU Speech, Privacy and Technology Project