These rights include the right to free speech and to petition for redress of grievances, the right to participate equally in the political process, voting rights, bilingual education, civil and criminal due process, and access to health care and other public services. We believe, further, that such laws perpetuate the false stereotypes of immigrants and non-English speakers. An English-only law is contrary to the spirit of tolerance and diversity embodied in our Constitution and would transform it from being a charter of liberties and individual freedom into a charter of restrictions that limits, rather than protects, individual rights and language origin. The English-only resolution purposeful singling out of language minorities is the functional equivalent of national origin discrimination. The proposed English-only resolution also is directed at pure speech.
Communication involves a free exchange, with people both giving and receiving information.
In closing, we at the ACLU are deeply concerned with this resolution and would disapprove its approval. We will continue to be vigilant wherever civil rights are interfered and reserve the right to take appropriate action where action is needed.