National Emergency Civil Liberties Committee (U.S.)

BIOGHIST REQUIRED The NECLC was formed in 1951 by more than 150 persons for the purpose of mobilizing public opinion in support of the traditional American constitutional guarantees of civil liberties and of aiding victims of abridgement of these liberties in politics, education and the professions. The Committee has concerned itself with civil rights, academic freedom and denials of passports and the right to travel.

Formerly called the Emergency Civil Liberties Committee, the name was changed in 1968. The original committee was formed in 1951 at a time when common citizens' Constitutional rights were threatened by the Smith Act and the McCarren Act, and the House Un-American Activities Committee was conducting anti-Communist "witch hunts."

The NECLC was formed in 1951 by more than 150 persons for the purpose of mobilizing public opinion in support of the traditional American constitutional guarantees of civil liberties and of aiding victims of abridgement of these liberties in politics, education and the professions.

The Committee has concerned itself with civil rights, academic freedom and denials of passports and the right to travel.