SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois chapter of ACLU, declaring "Dissent is Patriotic," says they are encouraged by post-election demonstrations as "millions" hit major cities' streets to support civil liberties.
Most of the most recent protests expressed outrage with the 2016 election's presidential winner Donald Trump. Some protests have caused injuries and led to destruction of private businesses.
"There have been many encouraging developments over the past few days," the ACLU says on their website. "Millions of Americans have vocally reiterated their support for civil liberties and reaffirmed their commitment to the proposition that liberty and equality are not zero-sum games; these human rights belong to all of us!"
They report that they have been overwhelmed by the number of people that have reached out to them asking how can we help defend the Constitution.
The ACLU is using the panic among Leftists to raise money and expand the ACLU's leverage in the Illinois State House and in the court system. They promise to defend reproductive rights, immigration rights and criminal justice reform in Illinois.
They expect the new administration to create "challenges" of civil liberties in the days ahead.
"The ACLU has stood strong against past threats to our civil liberties, and is uniquely positioned to stand up for tomorrow’s fight to protect our civil rights," the site says. "Our ACLU family will stand together to face the challenges ahead, and will continue to staunchly defend the civil liberties enshrined in the Constitution."
The Trump Administration will begin the process of filling the late Anthony Scalia's Supreme Court justice vacancy immediately after the inauguration. Trump released a list of potential nominees before the election that were recommended by the conservative-leaning Heritage Foundation and Federalist Society. Trump has said that he wants a justice that will above all uphold the Constitution.
When asked the same question, Trump's competitor Hillary Clinton did not mention the importance of a justice upholding the original interpretation of the U.S. Constitution.
The ACLU's emphasis on the Constitutional protection of civil liberties ironically collides with Hillary Clinton – the Left's most favored presidential candidate's – standards.
