Tom Hanks and other celebrities have raised over half a million dollars for a radical US pro-abortion and pro-LGBT campaign group that claims it is a vital part of America.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) labels pro-life politicians as extremists and has sued a Christian florist for declining to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding.
The ACLU states that it “has become so ingrained in American society that it is hard to imagine an America without it”.
‘Stand for Rights’
On Friday night Tom Hanks hosted a four-hour fundraising event for the group, featuring well-known figures including Alec Baldwin, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Steve Buscemi and Chelsea Clinton.
The “Stand for Rights” show was streamed live on Facebook and afterwards the ACLU said it had raised over $500,000.
Formed in 1920, it later worked with race campaigners in the famous Brown v Board of Education case which ruled against segregation in schools in 1954.
Abortion and infanticide
However, it went on to spearhead efforts in favour of abortion. In the 1970s it was involved in the legal cases – including Roe v Wade – that introduced abortion to the USA.
In the 90s it even attempted to make the case for infanticide, arguing: “There is absolutely no morally significant change in the fetus between the moments immediately preceding and following birth”.
Last year a judge threw out a case it brought against a Roman Catholic hospital for not performing abortions.
And currently on its website, the ACLU calls policy makers who are working to curb the number of abortions, “extremist”.
Christian florist sued
While it claims to support religious freedom, in practice the group has repeatedly prioritised LGBT rights in recent years. It filed the legal case that ultimately led to the imposition of same-sex marriage across America two years ago.
And the group sued Christian florist Barronelle Stutzman after she followed her conscience and decided not to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding.
The campaigners are currently backing a teenage student, who was born female, in her case to use the boys’ toilets.
Anti-Christian by-word
Ciarán Kelly, Head of Communications at The Christian Institute, said: “Tom Hanks may be a great actor but he’s no moral guide to social policy.
“For decades the ACLU has led the promotion of same-sex marriage and abortion in the United States.
“In their history, they’ve done some good things, but these days they have become a by-word for the rejection of Judeo-Christian values.
“It’s sad that Hollywood opted to dedicate this much time and energy to promote such an organisation.”
