Youth Speak
Young people have the same rights as everyone else, but are often treated as if the Bill of Rights applies only to those over 18. In many schools, for instance, students’ writings are censored, backpacks and lockers are searched without reasonable suspicion, and low-income students are expected to learn in wretched conditions.

In Youth Speak, you’ll meet Aaron Peckham, who got in trouble for creating a website called Urban Dictionary and is now part of a lawsuit to protect speech on the internet. Another free speech defender, 13-year-old Anthony Latour, successfully challenged his two-year suspension from school for writing rap lyrics.

You’ll learn about other students who are refusing to be treated as suspects. Chloe Smith was terrorized at her middle school when a drug-sniffing dog found prescribed medication in her purse. She was suspended and nearly forced into a drug program, until she stood up for her right to privacy.

Then there’s Alondra Jones, who was tired of the filthy conditions and lack of books at her California high school. You’ll hear about how she joined forces with students across the state in a lawsuit, which resulted in millions of dollars going to improve the educational system.

In this episode of The Freedom Files, you’ll also meet young activists working to educate their peers about the plight of teenagers in the juvenile justice system and the realities of military recruitment. And you’ll be inspired by how young people are leading the fight for all of our rights.

The Freedom Files
The Freedom Files is a new 10-part multimedia series that goes behind the headlines to reveal the impact of civil liberties violations on real people’s daily lives. Created by the ACLU and award-winning filmmaker Robert Greenwald's Brave New Films, the series is produced and directed by Jeremy Kagan.

Series topics will include the Patriot Act, the Supreme Court, free speech and dissent, religious freedom, gay and lesbian rights, drug policy, racial profiling, women's rights, and youth freedoms.

Join the Producers Club and organize a screening event.
The Freedom Files Producers Club is made up of a nationwide network of AcTiVists--from libraries, schools and neighborhood associations to LINK TV viewers and other individuals--who are bringing The Freedom Files to their communities and living rooms. The Producers Club aims to build a robust national network of AcTiVists who care deeply about civil liberties issues.

The American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union works daily in courts, legislatures and communities to protect the individual liberties, rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and the laws of the United States. Founded in 1920, the ACLU is a nonpartisan, nongovernmental organization with more than 550,000 members. It has offices in all 50 states and employs more than 150 permanent staff attorneys and 2,000 cooperating attorneys, litigating more than 6,000 cases annually.

For more information go to http://www.aclu.tv.