Founded in 1952 as the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Minnesota continues to protect the civil liberties of all Minnesotans through litigation, public education, and lobbying. Four underlying principles guide our mission:
 

• We are a nonpartisan, impartial organization; our policies do not embrace particular political philosophies.
• We may represent individuals with popular or unpopular points of view; by such representation, we neither condone nor promote the messages of these individuals but defend against all attacks on civil liberties.
• We are a nonprofit organization that neither solicits nor accepts government funding. Our primary client is the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights.
• We are an affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union that coordinates its philosophies, approaches to litigation, and funding with the national organization.

The ACLU of Minnesota carries out its mission in the following ways:

THROUGH LITIGATION

We protect your civil rights by selecting, negotiating, and trying cases with the potential to establish legal precedent, broaden interpretation, and strengthen your civil liberties. We are supported by volunteer attorneys who donate their time and expertise to our cause.

THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION

Educating and engaging the public is key to our mission. We seek to educate Minnesotans about their civil liberties by providing schools with educational materials, by speaking in public on civil liberties, and by mobilizing individuals to personally advocate for their rights.

THROUGH LOBBYING

By drafting effective legislation and testifying on bills with civil liberties implications, we ensure that the government does not succeed in infringing on your rights.