About Us

For nearly 100 years, the ACLU has worked in courts, legislatures and communities to protect the constitutional rights of all people. With a nationwide network of offices and millions of members and supporters, we take up the toughest civil liberties fights. Beyond one person, party or side - we the people dare to create a more perfect union.

The mission of the ACLU of Delaware is to preserve and advance civil liberties and civil rights in the State of Delaware as enshrined in the United States and Delaware Constitutions through education and advocacy without consideration of political association.

ACLU-DE has been the "underdog’s watchdog" for over half a century. We are a first resort when the government threatens our rights in Delaware and a last hope when we are deprived of our liberties. Our ongoing efforts today to promote racial justice, criminal legal reform, expanded voting rights, and more are only the next step in our organization’s history. We will continue our work to protect and expand civil liberties in Delaware, because we know all too well that "the fight for civil liberties never stays won."

ACLU-DE has played an important role in Delaware history, especially in the arena of education:

• In 1975, ACLU-DE, under the leadership of Gerry Kandler, prevailed on the State of Delaware to provide children with physical and intellectual disabilities full access to education. These efforts help spur educational equality throughout the country.
• ACLU-DE also played a significant role that led to the desegregation of schools in the City of Wilmington in the 1980’s. This action also had an impact on desegregation nationally.
• In the 1990’s, the ACLU-DE was instrumental in reforms to the Ferris School for Boys, which is now a national model as a state-of-the-art juvenile secure care facility.