The Truck Stops Here

As you probably know, the state of Massachusetts elected a new senator yesterday, to fill the seat of the late, great, Ted Kennedy. Kennedy was a fierce advocate for civil rights – he fought especially hard for equal rights for all people, regardless of race, class, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion, earning him the nickname “the liberal lion”.

Scott Brown, the Senator-elect, has big shoes to fill – we have some concerns about previous statements he’s made about civil liberties issues, including statements about the use of torture, indefinite detention and equal rights for all.

But don’t forget: the ACLU has been here for 90 years. Elected officials come and go. The ACLU stays. We will never stop defending your right to freedom, liberty and equality under the law. We are in the Courts, in the State House, and in the halls of Congress to defend your rights. We steadfastly resolve to work with Senator Brown – as with representatives of all political stripes – to ensure that the people of the Commonwealth enjoy the guarantees and protections set forth in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The ACLU never backs down from the defense of individual liberty.

We will continue to fight for equal protection for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability. We stand for due process under the law, and for the right of all residents to be safe, free and protected from unconstitutional surveillance and unwanted, unwarranted intrusion on their privacy. We will continue to call for accountability and transparency from our elected officials, and we’ll never shy away from seeking justice for all.

We’ve got your back.

- This post was contributed by Danielle Riendeau, Carol Rose and Christopher Ott