Our History

Since its founding in 1934, the ACLU of Northern California has worked tirelessly to preserve and expand our basic freedoms. Looking at 70 years of ACLU-NC history also shows a great deal about the history of California itself.

1930s
In 1934, one of the most dramatic labor struggles in the United States took place in San Francisco.

1940s
The outbreak of World War II brought new challenges for the ACLU-NC.

1950s
During the political witch-hunts of the McCarthy era, the ACLU-NC came to the defense of hundreds of victims of federal and state "loyalty and security" programs.

1960s
In 1964, the Free Speech Movement at UC Berkeley set off campus demonstrations around the state and country.

1970s
In 1972, the ACLU-NC authored and helped to pass a Privacy Amendment to the California Constitution.

1980s
California's new wave of immigration was met by repressive laws on both federal and state levels.

1990s
The beginning of the decade was marked by a massive effort to prevent the first execution in California in 25 years.

2000s
The government's response to the events of 9/11 catapulted the ACLU, nationally and locally, into an unprecedented level of activity.