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ACLU Action Checklist
The actions listed below are meaningful ways of raising public awareness and shifting policy. They can be undertaken by individuals or groups of interested people.
We hope that you will undertake as many actions as you can, and that you will encourage other people to do so as well.
Things you can do right now:
 Write to your Elected Officials
The ACLU has developed a number of issue-related Action Alerts that allow you to quickly and easily communicate with your elected officials and members of the current Administration.
Call your Elected Representatives
In addition to writing your elected representatives, you can also call them and let them know where you stand on the issues. You can contact your Members of Congress through the Capitol Switchboard (202-224-3121).
Add ACLU Action Alerts to Your Favorite Blog
We have created some simple HTML code which you can add to your website in order to create a graphical link to the ACLU site. You can also have a live feed of ACLU action alerts appearing on your page using this code.
Add the ACLU to Your Email Signature
With a couple mouse clicks, you can support the ACLU and civil liberties each time you send an email: by adding a mention to the ACLU in your signature line, you will encourage your friends and families to get better informed on the issues every time you send an email. Find out how to add the ACLU to your email signature.
Tell a friend (or ten)
You can encourage friends, families and others to become active in the civil liberties movement by visiting our "Tell a Friend" page and referring them to the ACLU Action Center page (http://www.aclu.org/action). You can also talk to people about the issue as you go about your daily life. By talking to people (whether strangers or family members) about the issues you are raising awareness and motivating them to get more involved.
Write Personalizsd Letters to your Members of Congress
Members of Congress (and other elected officials) seriously consider written feedback from their constituents. To help you write your elected representatives on these key issues, we've created a section "Writing to your Members of Congress."
Tell us about your success stories and heroes
Share your successes with us and build awareness that people across the country are successfully defending civil liberties. You can see the current profiles, and/or submit your own success stories and heroes.
Things in You Can Do in Your Community:
Discuss the issues with other interested people
There might be several like-minded groups of people in your local area or discussing the issues online. Please visit the Community section of the Action Center to find these people or join the online forum focused on advocacy and activism.
Table at Events
You can set up a table at public events and provide information on the issue. This is also a great chance to meet like-minded people, talk to them about their concerns and coordinate.
Distribute Flyers and Put up Posters
You can print out materials and distribute them to friends and the public in order to raise awareness about issues. We have assembled a number of flyers that you can print out, copy, and distribute. If you have created materials, please feel free to send us electronic copies of your fliers (we may add them to the collection).
Write a Letter to the Editor
You can write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper and express your opinion about issues that are being covered (or are noticeably absent). Your letter might very well be printed in the "Letters to the Editor" section, which is the second-most read feature in a newspaper. To help you, we've created a section "Writing Letters to the Editor".
Meet with your Elected Representatives
You can meet with elected officials or their representatives and tell them what you think about a certain issue or bill, and to try to get him or her to take action on that issue. If you are interested in helping the ACLU lobby on federal issues, please click here. To help you with local meetings, we've prepared a section on "Meeting Your Elected Representative".
Join a Demonstration
All across the country people are showing their disproval of government policies by peacefully demonstrating. You can join these gatherings and add your voice.
Get Trained
If you wish to be a successful activist, you need to develop skills that will make you effective and efficient. We have compiled a list of training resources to aid you.
Start a Letter-Writing Campaign
Recruit friends and others to write letters to Members of Congress and the State House/Senate on key issues. You can use the Action Alerts and "Writing your Elected Official" for guidance.
Organize a public event
You can organize public events (such as rallies, speaking forums, town hall meetings, and concerts) to raise awareness about the issues and perhaps even raise funds. By gathering interesting speakers and cool activities (music, dancing, etc.), you not only recruit new members, but you may also get media attention.
Volunteer
Many ACLU affiliates rely on volunteers. By volunteering you are not only contributing significantly to the work that needs to be done, you also develop great experience and gain tremendous knowledge about the issues. You can find the affiliate in your area by clicking here.
Get a Resolution Passed in Your Community
Many communities around the country have passed resolutions indicating their commitment to defend civil liberties. These resolutions show politicians at all levels believe that civil liberties must be preserved and that it is possible to be both safe and free. You can learn more about these resolutions or sign up to get more information about how to pass a resolution in your community.
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