Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) is the preeminent statewide organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of individual civil liberties and civil rights in New York State. Founded in 1951, the NYCLU's mission is to defend and uphold the basic rights and liberties articulated in the Bill of Rights and to advocate, litigate and educate for the protection of civil liberties. Through litigation, legal counsel, advocacy and legislative lobbying, the NYCLU has, among many issues, protected political freedom during the McCarthy era, argued against the constitutionality of the Vietnam War, created the first project focused on the rights of mentally disabled, and was the first civil liberties organization to advocate for reforming the foster care placement system. Over the last thirty years, the NYCLU has advocated for issues surrounding voting rights and censorship, fought to end gender discrimination and school segregation in New York State schools, and defended the separation of church and state. The collection consists of legal case files, administrative records and other archival materials. The collection is being processed and is currently closed, unless permission to access is granted in writing from the NYCLU Executive Director.
- Extent:
- 700 cubic ft. and 735 captures
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, The New York Civil Liberties Union Records, 1951-1995. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as the The New York Civil Liberties Union Records).
Background
- Scope and Content:
This collection predominantly consists of the thousands of legal case files the NYCLU partook in. The legal case files series spans from freedom of speech, religion, press, petition, and assembly, to privacy, to equality before and due process of law. The legal cases show the expansive service the NYCLU performs for underrepresented groups and person of New York State.
The Executive Director files contain the material of past Executive Directors, the NYCLU Board, including board meeting minutes, and chapter news. The legislative Committee series tracks the work of the NYCLU and their impact advocating for New Yorkers through reform. In 1970, a campaign led by the NYCLU's legislative office lead to the repeal of a state law that imposes criminal sanctions for the performance of medical abortions.
The advocacy series represents the tireless work to promote the issues of New Yorkers including, military and selective service, reproductive rights, LBGT rights, racial justice, immigrants' rights, rights of people with disabilities, voting rights, youth and student rights, and women and equality. Subject Files show the day to day aspects of the NYCLU and include memorandum of staff attorneys. As well as general subject based materials. Bulk of material from the 1950's to the 1980's
- Biographical / Historical:
The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) was founded in November 1951 as the New York affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, it is not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization with nearly 50,000 members across New York State. The stated mission of the organization is defend and promote New Yorkers' unalienable rights, including freedom of speech and religion, and the right to privacy, equality and due process of law. NYCLU performs its work through litigation, advocacy, community organizing, and public education.
The NYCLU has eight chapters in New York State: Central New York, the Capital Region, Lower Hudson Valley, Suffolk County, Nassau County, New York City, Genesee Valley and the Western Region. The New York City office is the organization's headquarters and represents all regions that do not have their own local chapter or regional office.
- Acquisition information:
- All items in this collection were transferred to the University Libraries, M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives. 2013
- Processing information:
Processed in 2016 by partially processed. Processed in 2019 by Amanda Partridge with the exception of the Legal Case series.
- Arrangement:
Series, with the exception of the Legal Cases series, are arranged chronologically. Legal Cases are partially processed. Those that are processed are arranged alphabetically.
- Physical / technical requirements:
Web Archives
- Physical location:
- The materials are located onsite in the department.
Online content
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
Access to this collection is restricted because it is unprocessed. Portions of the collection may contain recent administrative records and/or personally identifiable information. Please contact an archivist for more information. Certain restrictions may apply.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
This page may contain links to digital objects. Access to these images and the technical capacity to download them does not imply permission for re-use. Digital objects may be used freely for personal reference use, referred to, or linked to from other web sites.
Researchers do not have permission to publish or disseminate material from these collections without permission from an archivist and/or the copyright holder.
The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright. Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) and/or by the copyright or neighboring-rights laws of other nations. More information about U.S. Copyright is provided by the Copyright Office. Additionally, re-use may be restricted by terms of University Libraries gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks.
The University Archives are eager to hear from any copyright owners who are not properly identified so that appropriate information may be provided in the future.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, The New York Civil Liberties Union Records, 1951-1995. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as the The New York Civil Liberties Union Records).
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
M. E. Grenander Department of Special Collections & ArchivesScience Library 3501400 Washington AveAlbany, NY 12222, United States
- CONTACT:
-
518-437-3933