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Principled, Nonpartisan, Defending Your Rights

At a time when too many put partisanship over principle, FIREcontinues to be a staunchly nonpartisan organization. With threats to expression coming from all sides, FIREremains firmly planted on the side of free speech. And thanks to the generous support of our donors, we are able to put that principle into practice.

Since its inception in 1999, FIREhas defended thousands of individuals whose free speech rights were violated and secured policy reforms affecting the rights of millions more — all while advancing a culture of free expression.

Are you as fired up as we are about defending free speech? Join the movement with a gift to FIREtoday. You’ll stand with more than 10,000 FIREmembers who are fueling our mission nationwide.

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FIREPlaintiff Hannah Zoulek
Photo of FIREplaintiff Susan Hogarth holding up her phone showing her ballot selfie
I won’t be bullied over such an innocent and wholesome impulse as sharing enthusiasm for my candidates. These ballot selfie bans may seem harmless, but they’re just one more way the state attempts to control and muzzle true self-expression while pretending to protect it.

Threatened with fines and jail time for taking a ballot selfie.

FIREPlaintiff

In March 2024, Susan Hogarth took a "ballot selfie" with her completed ballot for a primary election, and then posted the image to social media. A few weeks later, Susan received a letter from the North Carolina State Board of Elections telling her she committed a crime and demanding she take the post down. She refused, and with help from ֭, she’s suing members of the board of elections to have the unconstitutional statutes struck down.

Read Susan's Story

 

Agile, Aggressive Advocacy

When free speech is threatened, FIREresponds — and fast. We use every tool at our disposal to secure justice for those whose rights have been violated, and we hold bad actors accountable. We engage would-be censors through direct advocacy, use media outreach to shine a light on abuse, mobilize the public through take-action campaigns, and when appropriate, we file lawsuits.

FIRE Case Files

Gregory Bombard Horizontal

Arrested for Flipping Off a Cop

Gregory Bombard was arrested for cursing at a cop and giving him the finger during a traffic stop — conduct that is squarely protected by the First Amendment. FIREsued and won a $175,000 settlement.

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FIREplaintiff Jeff Gray holds a sign reading "God bless homeless vets"
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.

Army vet arrested for holding ‘God Bless the Homeless Vets’ sign

Our Impact

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!

READ Jeff's Story

650+

Since 1999, FIREhas amassed more than 650 victories defending student and faculty rights on more than 300 campuses nationwide.

23

In 2023, FIREactively litigated 23 cases.

2,400

In 2023, FIREvetted nearly 2,400 case submissions involving individuals and groups who said their rights were threatened.

800k

FIRE regularly reaches an audience of more than 800,000 email subscribers and social media followers.

Daraius Dubash
Nothing is more powerful than being honest and open with people, and we’re standing up for our First Amendment rights that give us that voice.

Animal rights advocates sue after facing arrest

Public Advocacy

Daraius Dubash was arrested and handcuffed for two hours after peacefully demonstrating in a public park. The Law & Religion Clinic at the University of Texas and FIREare suing to protect the constitutional right to speak freely in public parks.

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Defending Campus Rights

FIRE recognizes that colleges and universities play a vital role in preserving free thought in a free society, which is why we’ve always placed a special emphasis on defending student and faculty rights.

Clovis Community College FIREAlejandro Flores Daniel Flores and Juliette Colunga

Censorship on the Campus Quad

California college that censored conservative students must pay $330,000 and adopt new speech-protective policies.

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Haskell Indian Nations University Student Journalist Jared Nally

Student Reporter Silenced

FIRE sued and restored free press rights for student journalist Jared Nally and his peers at Haskell Indian Nations University.

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Photos of FIREPlaintiffs Adriana Novoa and Sam Rechek

Stopping ‘Stop WOKE’

FIRE filed suit against censorious legislation in Florida, securing an injunction against key provisions that the court called “positively dystopian.”

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Cornell University.

Defending Academic Freedom

FIRE defeated an attempt by Cornell University’s student assembly to require faculty to warn students before teaching “potentially triggering” content.

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How Does Your College Compare?

The largest report of its kind, ֭'s 2025 College Free Speech Rankings are based on the voices of more than 58,000 students at 257 colleges and universities, and are designed to help parents and prospective students choose the right school.

109

In 2023 alone, ֭’s Campus Rights Advocacy team won 109 campus victories on behalf of students, faculty, and student groups whose rights were violated.

215k+

In 2023, ֭’s Policy Reform team won 43 victories at 22 schools affecting more than 215,000 students.

32

FIRE launched 32 take-action campaigns on campus in 2023, mobilizing thousands of our supporters to write emails, sign petitions, and take other actions to pressure administrators to respect free expression.

8,700

FIRE’s Student Network boasts more than 8,700 members.

Kevin Gaughen
The county’s actions are an outrageous infringement of Pennsylvanians’ First Amendment rights. We are filing this lawsuit to protect the First Amendment rights of everyone in Dauphin County.

Local government prohibits political activity in public park

FIREPlaintiff

The Dauphin County Parks and Recreation Department prohibited, Kevin Gaughen, a candidate and a board member of his political party, from collecting signatures in a public park. The department’s actions are a clear violation of the duo’s First Amendment right to political expression.

Read Kevin's Story

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Support the Fight for Free Speech

Help us build a new free speech movement and promote a strong culture of free speech by supporting FIREwith a donation today. Please join us in this important work!

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