Standpoint

The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota (ACLU-MN) has been advocating for civil liberties for 70 years, focusing on issues such as racial justice, immigrants' rights, and LGBTQ rights. Through legal advocacy, educational campaigns, and community engagement, they strive to uphold the fundamental rights and freedoms of all individuals in the state. Dedicated to addressing critical issues like police practices and reproductive freedoms, ACLU-MN also empowers the next generation of leaders in social justice through programs such as their Smart Justice campaign. The organization remains committed to promoting awareness and actively fighting against policies that perpetuate discrimination and inequality. Generated from the website

About CLC is appointed by the court to provide legal representation to children who are either wards of the state legal orphans or have been removed from their homes because they are in need of protection. CLC also represents foster children who request help. CLC provides this quality representation free of charge. Currently, CLC represents over 400 children. Since 1995, CLC, with the help of over 300 volunteer attorneys, has represented more than 1, 300 foster children. When children are taken from abusive or neglectful parents, they need to know their legal rights. CLC provides a multidisciplinary team of volunteer and staff attorneys and a social worker to listen to the children and help them navigate the complicated systems that control their lives. These advocates help guide the children by empowering them to speak up for what they want. CLC advocates help children understand the system and help judges and other court workers understand what the children want. CLC's staff attorneys and social worker provide expertise and years of experience to volunteer attorneys to support their efforts in representing foster children, including knowledge about specific laws and service available for the children. To promote the rights and interests of Minnesota's children, especially children of color and children with disabilities, in the judicial, child welfare, health care, and education systems.