The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression's mission is to defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought — the most essential qualities of liberty. FIRE educates Americans about the importance of these inalienable rights, promotes a culture of respect for these rights, and provides the means to preserve them.
Police arrested veteran Jeff Gray for peacefully holding a sign to raise awareness of homeless vets. FIRE filed lawsuits on his behalf to vindicate his constitutional rights and won them all!
FIRE’s award-winning Newsdesk covers the free speech news you need to stay informed.
If you face retaliation over protected speech, or if you are a college student or faculty member whose First Amendment rights may have been violated on campus, reach out to FIRE to learn more about how we can protect your rights.
WATCH TRAILER: Ira Glasser’s story is as timely and provocative as ever. Co-directed by FIRE Executive Vice President Nico Perrino.
Amid high-profile controversies surrounding free speech, racial equality, and anti-Semitism, Ira Glasser reflects on his life and career at the forefront of defending the rights of all Americans as the former executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union.
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.
Facing censorship or retaliation for protected speech? FIRE’s lawyers are here to help Americans whose free speech rights are violated.
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 College Policy Reform team works to proactively and systematically challenge campus policies that violate the rights of students and faculty on campus.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We explore how censorship is impacting institutions -- from universities to law firms to the Maine House of Representatives. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:40 Federal government cuts Columbia's funding 16:57 Updates on the Mahmoud Khalil case...
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.
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.
| 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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Since 1999, FIRE has amassed more than 690 victories defending student and faculty rights on more than 300 campuses nationwide.
In 2024, FIRE actively litigated 33 cases.
In 2024, FIRE vetted nearly 2,200 case submissions involving individuals and groups who said their rights were threatened.
FIRE regularly reaches an audience of more than 1,000,000 email subscribers and social media followers.
Free speech is under threat on college campuses. Here’s how you can make a difference.
The FIRE Student Network is a coalition of students who recognize the importance of advancing civil liberties on their campuses.
The FIRE Faculty Network is a coalition of faculty supporters interested in promoting and defending free expression and academic freedom at their institutions.
Join a community of invested alumni from various colleges who are learning and growing together while pursuing change at their alma mater.
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