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IC0 0 0.1 8 2 1f2 : 6 ACTJJ's early work was largely directed at combatting the de- pqrtation of aliens for their radical beliefs; opposing attacks on tlic rights of the Industrial Workers of the World (a cited left-vring anarchist labor group) and guaranteeing trade unions the right to organize and hold meetings. In'l940, after the HitlepStalin Pact, the ACLU adopted an "antitotalitarian" resolution, barring from its board and staff anyone (including Commhists and Fascists) who supported totalitarian dictator- ship in any country. (The resolution was rescinded in 1967) *During the Second World War, ACLU defended conscientious objectors, and pro!ested the internment .of Japanese-A mericans. In the ~O'S, it battled the alleged excesses of'the federal government's security program. ' * . 0 - Today the ACLU is thriving. Its current tot21 national membership approximates 180,000 which is more than double the 85,000 who belonged just five years ago. Nationwide, th,e, ACLU has about 5,000 volunteer attorneys, including 300 in the WashingLon, D.C. area., and they need more. Last year the organization spent $5 million and handled approxi- mately 4,000 cases. . As a result of its efforts over the past few yeprs, the rights of criminal defendants have been expanded ( m d the-difficulties of prosecu- tors have increased); government wiretapping has been curtailed (causing the Justice Department to drop several of its pending cases); welfare regulations have been liberalized (and the number of welfare cases IRS increased); homosexuals have gained recognition and the provision of th'e Hatch Act that bars federal employees from taking part in partisan political campaigns has been attacked. I Locally the range of A C L U s activities has also been broad: prison reform in Virginia; school spending equalization in Washington (the Hobson case); limiting the police (Washington, D. C. ) from making wide-scale arrests'under the disorderly condw t 2nd vn.grancy laws (1"l May Day demonstra.tion - D. C. ); and securing governmert security clearances for homosexuals. Overall, ACLIU nowJhas approxiimtely 159 qc1 ive cir-c- C..> ,.> in the Washington, D.C.. area -- nearly double the number it had two years ago. - - -7