ACLU Launches Original Animated Kids Series on Free Expression & Other Civil Liberties

NEW YORK – Today, the American Civil Liberties Union launched Know Your Rights University (KYR-U), a new, educational, animated series teaching children captivating and accessible lessons about free expression and other constitutional rights, as well as civic engagement. As efforts grow to limit what students can learn nationwide, this series invites young audiences to follow two inquisitive students as their teacher, with help from talking books, answers their questions on topics ranging from the first amendment to the legislative process.

KYR-U's inaugural season features four episodes that will be released every other Thursday on YouTube Kids and ACLU.org. To learn more:

• View the full series trailer here.
• View episode one “Peace, Hats, and Understanding” here.

The series was conceptualized and directed by the ACLU’s Brandon O. Lake, a stop motion animator, teacher, and proud parent. In partnership with Threadwood, the ACLU production team used stop motion animation, leveraging a classic approach to animation beloved by children and families for generations.

“It feels like now, more than ever, is an important time to talk about civics and our constitutional rights and there's no better place to start than with our nation’s curious kids and the caring adults in their lives,” said Brandon O. Lake, senior creative producer at the ACLU. “So many of us grew up watching and singing along with educational content like Schoolhouse Rock! and Reading Rainbow. We hope Know Your Rights University makes learning about our rights and freedoms fun, engaging, and memorable for this generation of kids.”

Developed for elementary school children as they begin learning civics, the ACLU production team worked closely with its own legal experts and external education advisors on each episode. KYR-U aims to deepen that education, offering children, teachers and parents a trusted and engaging resource. Study guides will be available on ACLU.org to help facilitate conversations and learnings after each episode.

“It's more important than ever that our children understand how to responsibly engage within their communities, both inside and outside the classroom. KYR-U helps teach students about their rights and freedoms, in a climate where they're increasingly under attack. This knowledge is critical at every age, because when we know our rights, we are empowered to exercise them,” said Kriston McIntosh, chief communications and marketing officer at the ACLU.

Additional Background on Know Your Rights University

Censorship over what kids can and cannot learn is on the rise. Over the last several years, our nation has witnessed more than 23,000 books banned in public schools, billions cut in funding for public education, and lawmakers taking concerted efforts to strip history out of textbooks. In response, KYR-U teaches children that they have rights – in the classroom, at home, and in the streets protesting – and provides the tools necessary to engage in their communities and stand up for their beliefs.

KYR-U leverages the ACLU’s century-long history of defending rights and freedoms, and marks the first time the organization has produced an animated series for kids. KYR-U brings viewers into Eastman-Baldwin Junior High – named after two ACLU founders, and follows the characters Aaron, Mr. Charles, and Lisa – with the last character being yoU, the audience, to spell out ACLU. Additionally, several ACLU staff members voice the characters, including creator Brandon Lake as Mr. Charles.

Episode one is available here: https://youtu.be/_oHOpzjDynY

A folder of images, including behind the scenes content and stills from the series, is available here with credit to the ACLU: https://aclunational-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/amadridaksoz_aclu_org/IgBzEZi0i4bZRqIUmkX7dJCfAX9N1VKp7cZnA4KDS6LpSpc?e=vhQbbX

Supplementary materials are also available on the ACLU website: https://www.aclu.org/campaigns-initiatives/kyr-u