Meet Our Activists

“When I first came out as gay, I had a lot of anger that I successfully channeled into a political activist direction.  Over the ensuing decades, however, I became numb to all of the transgressions and policies of Reagan, Wilson, Deukmejian, and Bush and Bush.  I'm finally reconnecting with my youthful outrage and see the ACLU as an opportunity to attune, amplify, and funnel that energy once again.

Guantánamo is clearly the most tangible example of the United States' retreat from respecting basic human rights.  Even the most heinous (alleged) terrorists remain "persons," and our values demand that we treat them as such.

Why is it important for us to speak out against torture, illegal spying and other abuses of power? Besides the fact that these are all unbelievably wrong, and I wouldn't wish them upon my meanest enemy?  Because I feel guilt and embarrassment that I'm associated with the perpetrators, and sadness that alone, I’m helpless to resolve the problem.

Early on, the ACLU appealed to me because of the way conservatives were always angry at it for defending people who looked like me.  And I respected the ACLU for standing up for people I disagree with.  Finally the day came when someone invited me to join, and I wondered why I hadn't done it earlier.”
 
-Ollie Graves
ACLU-NC Member & Activist
San Francisco

“This past summer at a farmers’ market on San Pedro Square in San Jose, I came across ACLU volunteers at an information table. Like most folks, I’ve known about the ACLU for quite a while. Being that many of the issues that the ACLU raises are aligned with my own viewpoints, I signed up so that I could regularly receive newsletters and petitions.

When I heard that the San Francisco Chapter was hosting a Volunteer Activist Night focusing on the continuing atrocities at Guantánamo, I decided to attend. The controversy surrounding Guantanamo is one that I can, from a distance, relate to. I am of Muslim background and have both witnessed firsthand and heard stories about how many Muslims have been treated since the tragedy of  9/11.

What I heard and read at Activist Night was absolutely horrifying. It made me think we were still living in the Middle Ages. Simply barbaric. The prisoners are stripped of their basic human rights: no attorney, no trial. In most cases, their families have no idea what has happened to them. This is not what the United States is about.

Guantánamo has become synonymous with racial profiling. You just can’t take a whole people and infer that they are guilty until proven otherwise. 

Before 9/11, I used to travel abroad fairly often without any questions. Now, I can’t even fly on an e-ticket. When I get a ticket online and punch in at the easy check-in computer, I’m told to go to the counter where I’m scrutinized. Of course, I value my safety just as much as the next person, but what I find perturbing is that my name was not an issue before and now suddenly it is. Being born and raised in the West, I find I have some advantage. I’m sure there are many out there who are receiving much harsher treatment than me.

People are simply not aware or very educated about issues like Guantánamo. Torture and illegal spying aren’t covered thoroughly as the mainstream media present the issue only in a certain light. By speaking out as individuals, we can raise awareness. I truly have faith in the power of collective humanitarian efforts.”

- Rabia K.
ACLU-NC Activist
San Jose

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