Cici Vu

"I came to the ACLU’s Volunteer Activist Night in search of more ways to help. I also wanted to surround myself with like-minded individuals -  people who are thinking about the  people who suffer from the injustices we hear so much about, and are finding ways to help them.

It's appalling enough that every day people do violence to one another, but violence imposed on innocent human beings and covered up by our own leaders is disgusting and unforgivable.  Guantánamo is our government’s arrogant abuse of power and flagrant disregard for human rights. It must be shut down.

If we keep silent, the government will only continue its abuses, like torture, illegal detentions, and spying. Our silence could actually affirm the belief that the government is justified in its wrongdoings.

If we act together we can be powerful enough to stop even a government that thinks it’s invincible. We, as U.S. citizens, are a compassionate people and we cannot let a few overly earnest and misguided people represent us and destroy our credibility.

I joined the ACLU because its mission is exactly aligned with my values as a human rights activist.  Being a member  gives me a more powerful voice to express my views.  I want to create my community around people who believe in human dignity and refuse to condone violence under any circumstances."

-Cici Vu
ACLU Member & Activist
San Francisco