(Alexandria, VA)—For two decades the American Civil Rights Union (ACRU) has defended the constitutionally protected civil rights of all Americans through litigation and advocacy. ACRU was founded in 1998 by Bob Carleson, welfare reform pioneer under Ronald Reagan.
The non-profit has been led to many public policy victories by President Susan Carleson, also a former Reagan appointee, since Bob’s death in 2006.
Recently, ACRU was part of a Supreme Court victory in the Bladensburg Cross decision, protecting the WWI memorial from a lawsuit that sought to destroy or remove the cross. ACRU filed an amicus brief in the case.
Also, ACRU’s lawsuit against Broward County, Florida, charging that the government failed to properly maintain voter rolls thereby threatening election integrity, has had a positive effect. Since the lawsuit was filed (the decision is still pending), the County has begun to take measures to clean up the voter rolls.
Upon Carleson’s retirement as president on August 15, ACRU will be led by Lori Roman, who has a record of leadership in government, non-profit, and business sectors.
For the last decade Roman has been President of the Salt Institute, a trade association. She is also the former executive director of the American Legislative Exchange Council, a public policy membership organization of state legislators. Formerly, she served as the Chief of Staff of the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and the Director of School Choice at the U.S. Department of Education in the George W. Bush Administration.
“It is an honor to carry on the legacy of Bob and Susan Carleson by aggressively fighting in the courts, legislatures, agencies, and public forums to protect and promote liberty,” stated Roman.
Carleson, who will remain Chairman of the Board, is enthusiastic about the next phase of ACRU’s work. “For over two decades we have worked with a supportive and accomplished Board of Directors to advance liberty and American values. Yet I feel like we are just getting started. There is a lot of work to do and Lori is just the right person to lead the charge.”
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