The ACLU is a group in the United States that tries to stop the government, the police, or other powerful people from taking away the rights written into US law — free speech, a fair trial, the right to say no to a search, and so on. It is not the government. It is a private organisation, and it often goes to court for someone. Some Americans love it, because they see it as a guard on freedom. Some dislike it, because it will also defend people they cannot stand — including people with ugly views. The ACLU’s point is that the rules have to protect everyone, not only nice people. You will hear the name a lot in US news. People say the letters one by one: A-C-L-U. Though actually, in everyday talk it can sound like a political team. It is not a party, and the word Union here does not mean a workers’ union.