For most of its history the ACLU has stood alone in its unqualified defense of free speech. The consequences would be grave were the organization to retreat from that position.
I worked one day a week for 3-4 years as a volunteer in the legal department of a state chapter of the ACLU, and I can attest that the free-speech advocates on the legal staff have either retired or been sidelined, and the organization is now focused on social justice rather than free speech. They are still working for good causes, but those causes have many other advocates. The unique value of the ACLU was its focus on freedom of speech, and that focus has been lost.
I worked one day a week for 3-4 years as a volunteer in the legal department of a state chapter of the ACLU, and I can attest that the free-speech advocates on the legal staff have either retired or been sidelined, and the organization is now focused on social justice rather than free speech. They are still working for good causes, but those causes have many other advocates. The unique value of the ACLU was its focus on freedom of speech, and that focus has been lost.
Wokeism ruins everything.