The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin (ACLU Wisconsin) is a left-of-center advocacy group that litigates and lobbies on left-of-center policy issues, including immigration, LGBT issues, criminal justice, and election administration. The group has pursued campaigns against police surveillance practices and Republican-led redistricting while aligning with left-of-center positions on issues such as opposition to cash bail systems and support for pro-gender-reassignment policies in schools. The group is the Wisconsin-based chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a left-of-center advocacy organization ostensibly focused on civil liberties, founded in 1920, that has aligned with the ideological left, becoming a “hub of liberal activism.” ACLU Wisconsin also operates an educational arm, the ACLU of Wisconsin Foundation. ^{1 2 3}

Background

The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin was founded in 1930 as the state affiliate of the national American Civil Liberties Union, a left-of-center activism organization founded in 1920 ostensibly focused on issues related to civil liberties. The ACLU has aligned with the ideological left, becoming a “hub of liberal activism” and among the largest left-of-center advocacy networks in the United States. ALCU Wisconsin initially focused on defending free speech and due process rights during the early 20th century, but expanded its scope over decades to encompass broader left-wing causes. By the 2020s, it emphasized litigation and community organizing on left-of-center policy issues. ⁴

Activities

The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin has engaged in litigation, legislative advocacy, and public education campaigns to promote left-of-center policy priorities. The group challenged Republican-drawn legislative maps through its Fair Maps for Wisconsin initiative, which sought to redraw legislative districts following a 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling. It also campaigned for community oversight of police surveillance technologies and against local law enforcement participation in federal immigration enforcement programs. ^{5 6}

In the courts, the ACLU Wisconsin filed lawsuits against sheriffs for detaining individuals at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s request without probable cause, alleging violations of the Fourth Amendment. The organization has also filed complaints against school districts for racial harassment and discriminatory dress code enforcement. It has also supported criminal justice reforms, including efforts to reduce incarceration rates by 50 percent through its Smart Justice campaign. ^{7 8 7}

The ACLU Wisconsin has lobbied the Wisconsin state legislature on constitutional rights issues, including freedom of expression, criminal justice, abortion, and immigration, and has reported expenditures through the Wisconsin Ethics Commission. ⁹

The group has also engaged in voter education that, while technically nonpartisan, is aligned with left-of-center priorities, and launched a $1.75 million campaign in 2024 with the national ACLU and its affiliated Super PAC, the ACLU Voter Education Fund, to mobilize voters in U.S. Senate and state legislative races. ¹⁰

The ACLU Wisconsin has opposed right-of-center ballot measures, unsuccessfully urging voters to reject 2023 amendments to expand the considerations judges may make when assigning bail amounts. ¹¹

In August 2020, the ACLU Wisconsin demanded the immediate resignation of Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis and Sheriff David Beth following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, accusing the officials of upholding “white supremacy.” ¹²

The group faced backlash in 2022 after intervening in a lawsuit to defend a school district’s policy of socially affirming transgender students without parental notification, prompting right-of-center legal organizations to sue on behalf of parents. ¹³

Leadership

Melinda Brennan has worked as the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin since January 2022, earning $138,774 in compensation for fiscal year 2023. Brennan is a longtime diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) consultant. ¹⁴

1. Isaac-Dover, Edward. “ACLU to storm 2018 midterms.” Politico. January 6, 2018. Accessed May 1, 2018. https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/06/aclu-2018-midterms-327115
2. “American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin Foundation Inc.” ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Accessed December 1, 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237052345.
3. “About Us.” ACLU of Wisconsin. Accessed December 1, 2025. https://www.aclu-wi.org/about/.
4. “ACLU History.” ACLU of Wisconsin. Accessed December 1, 2025. https://www.aclu-wi.org/about/.
5. “Fair Maps for Wisconsin.” ACLU of Wisconsin. Accessed December 1, 2025. https://www.aclu-wi.org/campaigns-initiatives/fair-maps-wisconsin/.
6. “Campaigns.” ACLU of Wisconsin. Accessed December 1, 2025. https://www.aclu-wi.org/campaigns-initiatives/.
7. “ACLU of Wisconsin Files Complaint Alleging Pervasive Discrimination.” ACLU of Wisconsin. April 28, 2022. Accessed December 1, 2025. https://www.aclu-wi.org/press-releases/aclu-wisconsin-files-complaint-alleging-pervasive-discrimination-oshkosh-area-school/.
8. “Smart Justice.” ACLU of Wisconsin. Accessed December 1, 2025. https://www.aclu-wi.org/smart-justice/.
9. “American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin Inc.” Wisconsin Ethics Commission. Accessed December 1, 2025. https://lobbying.wi.gov/Who/PrincipalInformation/2025REG/Information/2660.
10. “ACLU of Wisconsin, National ACLU and ACLU Voter Education Fund Kickoff Campaign.” American Civil Liberties Union. March 3, 2025. Accessed December 1, 2025. https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-of-wisconsin-aclu-and-aclu-voter-education-fund-kick-off-campaign-to-empower-voters-in-state-supreme-court-election.
11. “Conservatives Pick Up Landslide Policy Victories in Wisconsin Election.” Fox News. April 5, 2023. Accessed December 1, 2025. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/conservatives-pick-up-landslide-policy-victories-wisconsin-election-despite-supreme-court-loss-liberals.
12. “ACLU Calls for ‘Immediate Resignation’ of Kenosha Police Chief, Sheriff, after Blake Shooting.” Fox News. August 27, 2020. Accessed December 1, 2025. https://www.foxnews.com/us/aclu-calls-for-immediate-resignation-of-kenosha-police-chief-sheriff-after-blake-shooting.
13. “Wisconsin Mother Hopeful after Court Ruling in Favor of Parents’ Rights to Know about Child’s Transition.” Fox News. October 6, 2023. Accessed December 1, 2025. https://www.foxnews.com/media/mother-weighs-court-ruling-favor-parents-rights-know-childs-transition.
14. “Melinda Brennan.” LinkedIn Profile. Accessed December 2, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/melinda-q-brennan/