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.
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