About Us
Since 1956, the ACLU of Louisiana has worked to advance and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States and the State of Louisiana. We are part of a nationwide network of affiliates that fights tirelessly in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. We work in the courts, the legislature, and communities across the state to protect civil liberties and dismantle systemic injustice.
What We Stand For
First Amendment rights - freedom of speech, association and assembly; freedom of the press, and freedom of religion.
Equal protection under the law - protection against unlawful discrimination.
Due process - fair treatment by the government whenever the loss of your liberty or property is at stake.
Privacy - freedom from unwarranted government intrusion into your personal and private affairs.
The ACLU also works to extend rights to segments of our population that have traditionally been denied their rights, including people of color; women; lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender people; prisoners; and people with disabilities.
If the rights of society's most vulnerable members are denied, everyone's rights are imperiled.
Join the Movement
Across the state, donors are joining our rallying cry for racial justice with historic investment in our Black-led organization. Your support of the ACLU’s in the courts, legislature, and in communities will continue to empower our work for a more just and equitable future for everyone. Thank you for standing with us.
Reach out to us at [email protected].
When you support the ACLU of Louisiana, you join a movement for a more just and equitable state. Every gift fuels litigation, policy change, and community advocacy.
Today, our Executive Director Alanah Odoms is the first Black woman to lead the ACLU of Louisiana in its 65-year history. Under her leadership, our organization has worked to carry on our legacy of defending the Constitution and Bill of Rights, with the new charge to refract that work through the lens of racial justice.
Our Commitment to Justice in Louisiana
At the ACLU of Louisiana, our work is grounded in the belief that true justice means protecting the rights of all people—regardless of race, background, or immigration status. We fight systemic injustices through strategic litigation, policy advocacy, and grassroots partnerships across the state.
Through Justice Lab, we challenge racist policing and demand accountability from law enforcement. Our pretrial justice work seeks to end the criminalization of poverty by reforming cash bail and reducing unnecessary incarceration. And through our Immigrant Rights Project, we provide legal support, amplify lived experiences, and expose the inhumane conditions inside Louisiana’s sprawling immigration detention system.
Together, these efforts form a powerful, people-centered strategy to dismantle unjust systems, protect civil liberties, and build a more equitable Louisiana. See below to learn more:
