Finding Civil Liberties Activists In Your Area

Finding other people in your area who share your passion for freedom can sometimes be a challenge. Don't worry: other concerned individuals are out there and you just need to find them. Fortunately there are several tactics at your disposal; following are a few ideas to help you get started.

On the Ground

  • The local newspaper may be the best source of leads in finding others who are active in preserving our freedoms.  Look for relevant stories in which individuals or organizations are mentioned.   Local groups might also have a small advertisement or run something in the classifieds section.
  • Check the local pages for events related to civil liberties such as author talks, lectures and fundraisers. Not only will you have an opportunity to learn about the latest issues at such events, but also be surrounded by people who share your interests. Take the initiative to talk with those in attendance to get their ideas about locating other active folks (or even starting a group of your own!).
  • Some libraries and/or bookstores have book groups that discuss current events. You'll find people who care about what's going on in the world and want to educate themselves further. 
  • Volunteering with local nonprofits is another way to make good contacts. Your local ACLU office is a good place to start but also try other organizations that are working on similar campaigns. You can make friends and make a difference at the same time! 
  • Don't disregard friends, family and coworkers. Talk to those close to you: do they share your interest in civil liberties? Do they have any useful contacts? 
  • Consider reaching out to professionals whose work may be relevant, such as professors, activists and nonprofit staffers. They may be aware of resources that you have not yet come across.


Go Online
Be sure not to overlook the Internet as a tool for reaching other activists.

  • Search engines such as Google or Yahoo are very helpful. Try typing in your city with a combination of terms such as: civil liberties, patriot act, freedom of speech, etc.  You can also look for nonprofit organizations in your area that work on similar campaigns. 
  • A great resource is http://www.meetup.com/, a site that allows users to search by interest and location for groups of like-minded people. There is even an ACLU-specific MeetUp  (aclu.meetup.com).  Note: the ACLU is not affiliated with MeetUp in any way so do not consider this reference as an endorsement. 
  • Additionally, ACLU affiliates host events and are enthusiastic to assist activists in their area. They often have volunteer opportunities and email list serves that will be helpful. You can find your local affiliate's website address here.


Advertise
While it may seem odd to advertise a personal interest, it's often the easiest way to get in touch with others who are looking for opportunities to get involved. You can place an ad in local newspapers asking those interested in civil liberties to contact you.  Also consider printing flyers about starting an interest group in your community and putting them up in coffee shops, libraries, bookstores and local businesses.  Craig's List (www.craigslist.org/about/cities) is another opportunity to find others in large cities that want to help preserve liberties.  

Are you active in your community and want to set up events and/or work with ACLU staff on national issues?  Let us know by filling out the form here.