To the editor:
In response to recent letters to the editor attacking the mission and motives of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), I want to emphasize that the ACLU is neither criminal nor communist. The national ACLU and the ACLU of Utah exist only to defend the Bill of Rights and to preserve its guarantees of liberty for the next generation.The Bill of Rights belongs to all the citizens of the United States, and we seek to protect these rights for everyone. If you think about it, whose rights are going to be violated? Minorities, often despised minorities. Because the ACLU defends the rights of controversial and, at times, hated individuals, the ACLU is constantly embroiled in controversy.
In the past two years, since I have been working for the ACLU of Utah, I have seen no evidence of communist subversion. Just long hours, day by day, put in by the staff, cooperating attorneys, board members, legal panel, interns and volunteers, dedicated to defending the rights of Utahns, motivated by a deep sense of idealism and patriotism.
I'm an Iowa girl, and I grew up with the Iowa flag, which bears the words, "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain." I think Iowa's motto also pretty well sums up what the ACLU is all about.
Michele A. Parish-Pixler
Acting executive director
American Civil Liberties Union of Utah Foundation Inc.