ACLU TV Ad "Classroom"

ACLU TV Ad “Classroom”

We are inside a classroom filled with 12- & 13-year-old kids, various ethnicities. We see overhead project with the words “THE BILL OF RIGHTS.” The Teacher enters frame and begins the lesson.

TEACHER:
“Are there any questions? Yes, Hayley.”

STUDENT #1 (GIRL)
“I heard Congress just passed a law that allows government agents to secretly search your house and not even tell you.”

TEACHER:
“That’s true…”

The Teacher begins to try and explain.

STUDENT #2 (GIRL)
“Wait a second… What about the Bill of Rights?”

The Teacher is having a tough time…tries to continue.

TEACHER:
“Well it still…”

Then the classroom starts to bandwagon…

STUDENT #3 (BOY)
“Protects us?”

The Teacher is still having a hard time and still not able to answer the students’ questions.

TEACHER:
“Yes, but…”

STUDENT #4 (GIRL)
“Not anymore?”

TEACHER:
“It’s … complicated.”

STUDENT #5 (GIRL)
“We still have free speech, don’t we?”

TEACHER:
“You see…”

STUDENT #6 (BOY)
“And fair trials?”

STUDENT #7 (BOY)
“And freedom of religion?”

No answer from the teacher who’s starting to fall apart not simply being able to answer these questions.

STUDENT #8 (GIRL)
“What about racial profiling?”

The Teacher is losing it.

TEACHER:
“We have that.”

A collective groan from the class. Beat.

STUDENT #9 (BOY):
“I don’t understand… Who’s defending our constitution then?”

A blank look from the teacher as we cut to the card for the ACLU.

FADE UP: ACLU Plaque

ACLU V/O: The ACLU. Because freedom can’t protect itself.