ACLU slammed for ‘This is the future’ tweet showing blond, white toddler

Social media slammed the American Civil Liberties Union this week after it tweeted a picture of a blond, white toddler with the phrase, “This is the future that ACLU members want.”

The baby is wearing a “Free Speech” onesie and holding a small, American flag.

Critics blasted the free-speech organization for promoting what some said looked like an ad for the KKK.

“A White kid with a flag?!” one woman quickly tweeted.

The group tried to control the backlash with a follow-up tweet: “When your Twitter followers keep you in check and remind you that white supremacy is everywhere.”

The original tweet, in fact, was meant to promote the group’s line of clothing and other merchandise sold on its website, the ACLU said.

“PSA: The future we want is babies in ACLU onesies,” the group tweeted. “'For more cute ACLU babies, follow us on Instagram!”

But critics didn’t see it as a clothing ad.

The ACLU faced an even angrier backlash for defending white supremacists’ right to march in Charlottesville, Va. The group had argued for the group’s right to rally, a decision it reconsidered after the event turned violent and counter-protester Heather Heyer was killed.

The group has decided it will no longer defend hate groups protesting with firearms.

This story was originally published August 25, 2017 at 10:14 AM with the headline "ACLU slammed for ‘This is the future’ tweet showing blond, white toddler."