ABOUT
THE FIRST AMENDMENT PROJECT
OUR BELIEFS
Our beliefs are very simple - defend the First Amendment rights of everyone, even those with whom we don't agree. The First Amendment doesn't give us permission to do things, instead, it prohibits the federal government from getting involved and stifling five protected freedoms - religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. We believe the best way to preserve the First Amendment is to educate people as to what it means and its importance while ensuring legal precedent doesn't erode our rights by filing high-impact lawsuits to protect First Amendment rights for all.
Our vision is a citizenry that continues to enjoy the freedom to have ideas, share and debate ideas, and transform those ideas into reality without the threat of government interference.
OUR VISION
MISSION STATEMENT
Equality Meets Opportunity
The First Amendment Project is dedicated to upholding the 1st Amendment rights as reflected in the Bill of Rights and the case law interpreting those rights since the founding of our country approximately 250 years ago.
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The mission of the First Amendment Project is to protect the rights of citizens of the United States of America through education and legal intervention. We will accomplish our mission by filing high-impact lawsuits to protect the First Amendment Rights in the United States and its territories and by providing general education about the importance of the First Amendment.
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Many times, the 1st Amendment is a victim of too much success by legacy entities that previously defended it or too few resources for the person who is having their rights restrained. These tragedies are compounded because many Americans do not fully understand the 1st Amendment and subsequently, neither understand their rights nor respect others’ rights under it or why defending the freedom of speech is of the utmost importance.
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The defense of free speech is most critical when one may not agree with the speech in question. We intend to change that by funding litigation to defend the rights contained in the 1st Amendment and educating the public about the intent, value, and continued importance of the 1st Amendment.
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As The First Amendment Project focuses activities on the following four pillars – research, litigation, education, and outreach.
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Research - The Organization’s staff investigates various high-impact 1st Amendment issues through legal networks, media, court docket review, and direct outreach. Cases of interest are then researched and presented to the board of directors for review. The research process includes a preliminary analysis, consulting secondary sources, and searching for authority – statutes, regulations, and case law. Cases ar presented to the board of directors for funding consideration.
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Litigation - After the board of directors votes to fund a case, we interview and subsequently either directly hire and/or indirectly assist an attorney or legal firm to take on and pursue the case of interest. The First Amendment Project may directly fund an attorney representing the primary plaintiff in an appropriate case. The primary plaintiff may receive a tangential benefit, but the primary beneficiary will be the 1st Amendment rights of all Americans.
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Education & Outreach – It is our goal to engage in a wide range of activities aimed at educating communities about the First Amendment and its importance, especially when we do not agree with the speech it protects. Help us educate more people by sharing our blogs, opinion editorials, social media posts, videos, flyers, brochures, and presentations. You can also help by introducing us to your friends who are reporters or work in the media.