LibGuides: Constitution Day: September 17: Learn About Your Rights

Your Constitutional Rights

The Constitution protects all people on American soil; you have Constitutional rights, regardless of your age, birthplace, citizenship status, or any other factor. But in order to fully exercise your rights, you have to know about them.

The resources and organizations below have further information about your rights and how to exercise them.

Organizations

ACLU
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nonprofit civil rights organization that works to protect Americans' civil liberties. Their "Know Your Rights" campaign teaches about what your rights are, how to exercise them, and what to do when your rights are violated.
ACLU of Minnesota
The ACLU of Minnesota works to promote, protect, and extend the civil rights of people in Minnesota. Their "Know Your Rights" page includes information about various rights, including protest rights and your rights as a college student.
KnowYourRightsMN.org
KnowYourRightsMn.org, part of the Legal Rights Center in Minneapolis, works to inform the public about their rights in criminal proceedings and about the criminal justice system in general.

Issues

Students' Rights

ACLU Students' Rights
The Supreme Court ruled in 1969 that students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate."
Know Your Rights: College Students
Information about your rights as a college student from the ACLU of Minnesota. Includes information specifically about students of private institutions.
Due Process on College Campuses
Article from FIRE, an organization advocating for constitutional rights in higher education, about students' rights in university proceedings.

Immigrants' Rights

ACLU Immigrants' Rights
Article from the ACLU about your Constitutional rights, regardless of your immigration status.
Know Your Rights Under the U.S. Constitution
Flyer from the National Immigration Law Center about your rights as an undocumented immigrant.
Dreamers (DACA Rights)
Information from the ACLU about your rights under and eligibility for the DACA program. More information about the DACA program is available from US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
City of Minneapolis Immigrants' Rights
Information about your rights as an immigrant in the Twin Cities. Also includes links for finding legal help and resources.

Religious Rights

ACLU Religious Freedom
Information from the ACLU about religious freedom in work, housing, school, and other situations.
Religious Liberty on Campus
Article from FIRE about your rights to the freedom of religion on college campuses. Includes information specifically about private institutions.
Understanding America's First Freedom
This article from the American Bar Association describes how religious freedom is enshrined in the Constitution and where its nuances show up in our daily lives.