Freedom of speech is a human right and a fundamental American freedom. It’s essential for democracy, scientific progress, artistic expression, social justice, peace, and each individual’s ability to live authentically.
Arguments for freedom: The many reasons why free speech is essential
At ֭, we believe free speech is a force for good and have been defending free speech since 1999. We also know free speech is under threat.
FIRE’s vision is an America in which people overwhelmingly believe in the right of others to freely express views different from their own, and expect their laws and educational institutions to reflect and teach this belief.
WATCH VIDEO: Do noncitizens have First Amendment rights in the United States?
FIRE’s new series 1AX exposes the front lines of America’s free speech battles, where dissent is challenged, rights are tested, and the Constitution itself is put on trial. In this episode on free speech and immigration, FIREinterviews Nico Perrino, Jacob Mchangama, and David French on Secretary of State Marco Rubio using a McCarthy-era law to revoke student visas for noncitizens expressing pro-Palestinian views.
I have been harassed, trespassed, handcuffed and arrested countless times for peacefully exercising my First Amendment rights. My intention is to ensure that all Americans from the wealthiest millionaire to the poorest homeless person can exercise these rights without fear of consequence from our government.
Jeff Gray, a U.S. Army veteran and retired truck driver, has been repeatedly stopped, detained, searched, and arrested by the police. His alleged crime? Holding signs — in front of city halls across the United States. FIREfiled three lawsuits on his behalf to vindicate his constitutional rights and won them all!
If you face retaliation over protected speech, reach out to FIREto learn more about how we can protect your rights.
Staying positive while fighting for my rights for years wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. We all need to speak up when someone tries to take our rights away — our voice is way too powerful to let anyone shut it down.
The University of Tennessee’s College of pharmacy twice investigated graduate student Kim Diei over vague professionalism policies after an anonymous complaint about her sex-positive social media content. So in February 2021 — represented by FIRE— Diei sued UT administrators so she and her classmates no longer face this unconstitutional threat that their expression on personal social media will endanger their education. Now they’ll pay a $250K lawsuit settlement!
Learn more about your free speech rights in ֭'s research library.
If America’s colleges could earn report cards for free speech friendliness, most would deserve an “F” — and conservative students are increasingly joining their liberal peers in supporting censorship.
FIRE has distributed more than 138,000 print and online copies of its Guide to Free Speech on Campus to equip students with the rhetorical and legal tools to stand up for their rights. Explore the Guide to learn more about your rights.
The National Speech Index is a quarterly poll designed by FIREand conducted by the Dartmouth Polarization Research Lab to capture Americans’ views on freedom of speech and the First Amendment, and to track how Americans’ views change over time.
FIRE defends and sustains the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought — the essential qualities of liberty — and carries out this mission through several core services.
FIRE’s signature, core defense program provides free, non-legal assistance to individuals whose fundamental civil liberties are violated.
Facing censorship or retaliation for protected speech? FIRElawyers are here to help you when your free speech rights are violated.
FIRE’s College Policy Reform team works proactively to challenge campus policies that violate the free speech rights of students and faculty.
FIRE advocates on behalf of legislation that will protect First Amendment rights, and against bills that would abridge those rights.
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