Youth Liberty Squad

The Youth Liberty Squad is a youth leadership program created to engage high school students, particularly those from historically marginalized communities, and provide them with the tools to become the next generation of social justice leaders.

The Youth Liberty Squad (YLS) was created in 2019 to build the foundation for the next generation of social justice leaders and strengthen youth voice within ACLU SoCal’s education equity work. Since its founding, YLS has worked alongside high school students to develop their leadership skills, deepen their understanding of civil rights and liberties, and support them in advocating for change in their schools and communities. YLS students have led advocacy efforts on issues including student rights, school funding, art access, school based mental health, and ending the school to prison and deportation pipeline.

ACLU SoCal’s Youth Liberty Squad (YLS) is a youth leadership and organizing program that engages high school students as advocates for civil rights and civil liberties. Through trainings, workshops, and hands on advocacy opportunities, students learn about the systemic inequities affecting their communities, with a particular focus on educational inequities in California’s public schools.

YLS students work alongside ACLU SoCal attorneys & organizers and are equipped with the tools to organize, influence policymakers, and use advocacy strategies including policy advocacy, storytelling, digital advocacy, and Know Your Rights education to defend and advance their rights. Students explore and take action on issues such as student rights, racial justice, school funding, school based mental health, ending the school to prison/deportation pipeline, and more!

Learn more about the Youth Liberty Squad program and apply to join the 2026-2027 cohort.