As recent events have demonstrated, it is imperative that progressive legal minds organize in order to fully inform the country about our vision of the constitution, the courts, and democracy. For years, progressive scholars, attorneys, and judges have done an impressive job of formulating persuasive positions through scholarship, legal argument, and judicial opinions. It is undeniable, however, that we have been less than vigilant in recent years in translating our positions in a way that can be understood by the public as a whole. As a result, a highly organized conservative legal movement has been more than eager to mischaracterize what we stand for, resulting in our judges being labeled as activist and our positions out of touch with mainstream values.

The American Constitution Society (ACS) serves in an important role in continuing the tradition of persuasive legal scholarship and argument, but also provides a vehicle through which our positions can be clarified and explained to the public. Neither conservatives nor progressives have a monopoly on judicial activism, or on positions that reflect the values of mainstream America. ACS fights to make that clear, and we hope you will join us.

 

Last Updated: Novemebr 1 2004, Webmaster Josh Traub