Trump win spurs millions in donations to ACLU

Donald Trump’s victory last week has prompted hundreds of thousands of people to donate to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which has raised more than $7.2 million since the presidential election, the group announced Monday. 

{mosads}The organization called it the greatest outpouring of support it has seen in its nearly 100-year history, even greater than the days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 

“Since Election Day, the ACLU has seen a renewed sense of urgency from hundreds of thousands of Americans to protect civil liberties,” ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero said in a statement Monday. 

“All of this support will be put to good use protecting the rights of all Americans. Immediately, we are working across the country to protect the rights of protestors and ensuring those who voice their concerns know their rights. We are also analyzing the civil liberties records of potential high-ranking federal appointees.”

In the coming weeks and months, the ACLU will dedicate resources to protecting undocumented immigrants who have received deferred action protection under the Obama administration, fighting efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, preserving rights for transgender Americans and stopping any ban on Muslims from entering the United States. 

“As other civil liberties challenges arise, we will pivot — as we always have. Working in partnership with other organizations, the ACLU will do all its best to ensure that the rights and freedoms guaranteed by our founding documents are defended.

“Since our founding, we have held every president accountable, fighting for the rights of all Americans in courtrooms, legislatures and beyond. With 1,100 staff across the country, an office in every state, and a growing base of support among the broader public, failure is not an option,” Romero said. 

The ACLU issued a strong rebuke of Trump after he won the election last week, vowing to sue him if he follows through on his most controversial campaign promises on immigration, torture and other issues. 

“These proposals are not simply un-American and wrong-headed, they are unlawful and unconstitutional,” Romero said in a statement last Wednesday. “They violate the First, Fourth, Fifth, Eight and Fourteenth Amendments. If you do not reverse course and instead endeavor to make these campaign promises a reality, you will have to contend with the full firepower of the ACLU at every step.”