Anthony Romero / ACLU – 2004-11-23 09:34:39

http://www.aclu.org/refusetosurrender/?orgid=EA111704A&MX=1734&H=1

Something extraordinary is happening. In the last two weeks, thousands of people — deeply concerned about the direction our country has taken — have spontaneously joined the ACLU. They’ve added their names to those of over 400,000 other Americans committed to defending the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Today our most fundamental freedoms are in jeopardy. Only a bold, spirited movement of people like you who refuse to surrender your freedoms can protect our civil liberties.

On January 20th, George Bush will pledge to uphold the Constitution. Our goal is to recruit 100,000 new ACLU supporters by that day to proclaim
“I REFUSE TO SURRENDER MY FREEDOM.”

Let’s make it clear to those who seek to take away our freedoms that they are on the wrong side of the law…the wrong side of core American values…and the wrong side of history.

The more forcefully we speak out and the more voices that join us the more effective we can be — in the courts, in the press, in Congress – in protecting our freedoms against those who would trample them.

You can help launch this campaign by doing two things right now:

1. Sign the “I Refuse to Surrender my Freedom” pledge.

2. After you sign, ask three of your friends to take the pledge too.

Right-wing extremists are more than ready to expand the Patriot Act, attack the separation of church and state, expand their efforts to institutionalize discrimination against same-sex couples, and limit a woman’s right to make her own decisions about her body.

Some of the most powerful politicians in America are determined to undermine our fundamental freedoms and the basic constitutional principles that define our democracy.

Today our most fundamental freedoms are in jeopardy. Only a bold, spirited movement of people like you who refuse to surrender your freedoms can protect our civil liberties.
On January 20th, George Bush will pledge to uphold the Constitution.

Our goal is to recruit 100,000 new ACLU supporters by that day to proclaim “I REFUSE TO SURRENDER MY FREEDOM” by taking this simple pledge:

I pledge to join with over 400,000 ACLU members and supporters to help ensure that the President, his administration, and our leaders in Congress fulfill their duty to preserve, protect, and defend our Constitution.

By reaffirming my commitment to the American values of justice and liberty for all, I am enlisting in a powerful movement to defend our freedoms against assaults on our civil liberties.

Let’s make it clear to those who seek to take away our freedoms that they are on the wrong side of the law, the wrong side of core American values, and the wrong side of history. Take the pledge now and stand strong in support of freedom.

Please sign the pledge, join the ACLU — and defend the principles and values that represent the best of America.

Anthony D. Romero is the Executive Director of the ACLU