American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin Foundation

We maintain and organize our statewide activists across all age groups by using appropriate media, including social media. The aclu of Wisconsin Foundation (aclu-wif) is frequently the only voice on behalf of Civil Liberties when controversial issues arise or the rights of disenfranchised groups are in jeopardy. The aclu-wif, through its litigation and advocacy programs, identifies current and potential violations of Civil Liberties and Civil rights by reviewing nearly 2,000 legal inquiries received each year. It provides services to appropriate referrals or legal representation by staff or volunteer attorneys. Successes in 2021-2022 included expansion of our work educating and supporting the public about police accountability and the illegal detention of undocumented people by Wisconsin sheriffs; continued education and advocacy in favor of electoral enfranchisement; continued litigation against the voter photo id law; and investigations into language discrimination against immigrants. Legal services may take many forms: advocacy, administrative complaints, amicus or "friend of the court" briefs, direct representation of individuals, or large-impact litigation on behalf of classes of Wisconsin residents, monitoring the extent and adequacy of Civil Liberties and Civil rights protection is another program area. In addition to analyzing the inquiries received by our legal department, the aclu-wif is in frequent contact with community groups who help identify existing or potential Civil Liberties and Civil rights problems. The aclu-wif frequently uses public records requests to investigate specific concerns. Our attorneys regularly file suit and monitor cases regarding issues such as voting rights; educational non-discrimination; fair housing, police, prisons and criminal justice; due process; lgbt rights; free speech; and the establishment clause (separation of church and state).