What We Defend

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WATCH VIDEO: Shouting Fire in a Crowded Theater

Can you shout fire in a crowded theater?

Ever heard the line, “You can’t shout fire in a crowded theater”? Well actually . . . you can! There are very few legitimate restrictions on free speech, but never fear, FIRE is here to tell you everything you need to know.

MORE FIRE VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE

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2025 College Free Speech Rankings expose threats to First Amendment rights on campus

“These rankings highlight a pivotal moment in higher education, where the tension between maintaining a free speech environment and navigating deeply polarizing issues is more pronounced than ever,” said FIRE CEO Greg Lukianoff. 

Read the Press Release

2025 College Free Speech Rankings

The largest report of its kind, the rankings draw from more than 58,000 student responses representing more than 250 colleges and universities nationwide and are designed to help parents and prospective students choose the right school.

Read the Report

Rank School Overall Speech Code
1 University of Virginia Public 73.41/100 Green
2 Michigan Technological University Public 73.15/100 Green
3 Florida State University Public 72.46/100 Green
4 Eastern Kentucky University Public 69.60/100 Green
5 Georgia Institute of Technology Public 69.39/100 Green
6 Claremont McKenna College Private 69.15/100 Green
7 North Carolina State University - Raleigh Public 68.44/100 Green
8 Oregon State University Public 67.26/100 Green
9 University of North Carolina - Charlotte Public 66.51/100 Green
10 Mississippi State University Public 66.14/100 Green
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Back to School: Free Speech Basics

Research & Learn

As you prepare for the new academic year, these resources will help you understand your First Amendment rights, promote a culture of respect for these rights, and provide you with the means to preserve them.

Know Your Rights

Defending Free Speech Since 1999

FIRE’s team of experienced advocates has decades of experience protecting free speech both on and off college campuses. Learn more about how FIRE’s experts can help you.

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Facing Retaliation for Protected Speech?

In the Courts

Facing censorship or retaliation for protected speech? FIRE’s lawyers are here to help Americans whose free speech rights are violated.

Learn More

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Need help? FIRE is ready.

Helping Your

FIRE’s signature defense program provides free, non-legal assistance to individuals whose fundamental civil liberties are violated, with a special focus on college students, professors, student media, and campus groups.

FIRE's Campus Advocacy

Spotlight on Speech Codes 2021

Challenging Censorship on Campus

Changing Higher Ed

FIRE’s College Policy Reform team works to proactively and systematically challenge campus policies that violate the rights of students and faculty on campus.

FIRE's COLLEGE POLICY REFORMS

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Working With Legislators

Changing Laws

FIRE advocates for individual rights at both the state and federal level by advocating on behalf of rights-protective legislation and against proposed laws that threaten student and faculty rights.

FIREs Legislative Priorities

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Free Speech Curriculum

Helping Teachers

FIRE’s free speech curriculum helps educators enrich and supplement their existing instruction on First Amendment and freedom of expression issues in middle and high school classrooms.

First Amendment Resources for Teachers

Home and Abroad

International Rights

FIRE monitors colleges and universities that maintain policies that sharply limit students’ speech rights abroad and raise questions about how academic institutions should handle conflicts between American expressive rights and repressive policies in other countries.

Learn More About Your Rights

Ayaan Hirsi Ali will not submit

Ayaan Hirsi Ali grew up in a culture of conformity. She was beaten and mutilated. She was told who she must marry. Eventually, she rebelled. "You don't speak up at first," she told us. "First you leave and you find a place of safety. It's...

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 FIRE are suing to protect the constitutional right to speak freely in public parks.

Learn More

FIRE’s 10 common-sense reforms for colleges and universities

America’s colleges and universities have been engines of discovery and knowledge, but many institutions have strayed from their core missions. As colleges and universities look to regain trust, their leaders should recommit to their institutions’ core values. They can start with these 10 common-sense reforms.

Read FIRE's Reforms for America's Colleges and Universities

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Support the Fight for Free Speech

Get Involved

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

Donate to FIRE

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215k

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

650

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

2,400

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

109

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

Get Involved

Free speech is under threat on college campuses. Here’s how you can make a difference.

Opportunities With FIRE

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