The very fact that some people think that ACLU's mission as quoted above is "left wing" speaks volumes...or they are just ignorant...
It is actually more rational than it seems because of the history of the ACLU and the kind of cases they have been involved in. And, while the ACLU is not official leftist, the organization is primarily involved in leftist causes.
In the opinion of many objective political scientists, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a leftist, secular-progressive organization. They base this on many of the causes that the ACLU has taken on and the orgs history.
Communist connection: The organization was founded by far-left social progressives, many of whom were communists or former communists. Most famously, it was co-founded and for 30 years it was run by Roger Baldwin who supported communism for many years although he later denounced it in his book,
A New Slavery. The ACLU banned communists from being officers in the 1940's during the red scare but the connection between the ACLU and Communist Workers Party was still very strong in the late 1960's and early 1970's when I had some involvement with them as part of the anti-war movement.
Anti-God: In the 1950's through the 1990's they were involved in many cases which resulted in removing prayer and recognition of God in public institutions, including public schools.
Civil Rights: They also worked for civil rights since the 1920's. Their support of the NAACP and of voting rights efforts in the South, did not earn them many conservative fans.
Today they support many secular progressive causes -- pretty much the definition of the left in 2017.
Here's a telling headline from the LA Times...
"Once again, the ACLU takes its place on the front lines of a liberal resistance"www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-aclu-profile-20170131-story.htmlWhile they also have defended the freedom of speech rights of far-right wing extremists and defended the rights of people to fly the Confederate flag. Those are the exceptions to what they take on.
I am a "card carrying member of the ACLU." The organization does great work and I am pleased that Adam contributed to this organization. And I really can't imagine any Adam fan being offended by this contribution. Why this and not Pittsburgh Pride? Or the Democratic Party (Hillary)?
But if I was a conservative, I am pretty sure I would not be a "fan" of the ACLU. Adam is not a conservative. "Surprise."