Defending free speech since 1999
History
Since its founding, ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵAPP¹ÙÍø has assisted students and faculty in vindicating their rights to free speech and academic freedom.
²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵAPP¹ÙÍø Fights For Your Rights
Since its founding more than two decades ago as the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵAPP¹ÙÍø has become the nation’s leading defender of fundamental rights on college campuses through our unique mix of programming, including student and faculty outreach, public education campaigns, individual case advocacy, and policy reform efforts. In 2022, ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵAPP¹ÙÍø changed its name to the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and announced an expansion initiative into off-campus free speech advocacy and legal defense.
What We Do
FIRE defends and promotes the value of free speech for all Americans in our courtrooms, on our campuses, and in our culture.
Our Principled Record
In our two decades of First Amendment advocacy, we have zealously worked on behalf of individuals from a broad swath of American society who are representative of our nation’s remarkable social, political, religious, and cultural diversity.
²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵAPP¹ÙÍø’s Internship Program gave me the opportunity not only to learn more about the First Amendment and its role on college and university campuses but it also allowed me to grow professionally, preparing me for future work experiences.
Join ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵAPP¹ÙÍø's Team
In 2019, Kenyon College student Elizabeth Stanley joined ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵAPP¹ÙÍø as a summer intern, and after graduating in 2021 she joined ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵAPP¹ÙÍø as a program associate. ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵAPP¹ÙÍø kindles a collaborative, inclusive, fast-paced workplace culture that has helped us achieve our goals for more than 20 years. Plus, we have phenomenal perks!
Meet Our People
FIRE is a mission-driven organization of hardworking, dedicated team members committed to defending and sustaining the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought.
²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵAPP¹ÙÍø
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.
Individual Rights Advocacy
Helping You
FIRE’s signature, core defense program provides free, non-legal assistance to individuals whose fundamental civil liberties are violated.
Legal Support
In the Courts
FIRE strategically litigates in courts nationwide to vindicate the First Amendment and due process rights of everyday Americans.
Reforming College Policies
Fixing Higher Ed
FIRE’s College Policy Reform team works to proactively and systematically challenge campus policies that violate the free speech rights of students and faculty.
Legislative Policy Reform
Changing Laws
FIRE defends your individual rights at the state and federal level by advocating for rights-protective legislation and against bills that would abridge those rights.
The City of Alpharetta stomped on my right to freedom of speech and they would have gotten away with it if not for ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵAPP¹ÙÍø. ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵAPP¹ÙÍø taught Alpharetta that everyone has the right to free speech, including people who are poor or homeless.
²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵAPP¹ÙÍø Has Your Back
Our Impact
Police arrested veteran Jeff Gray for peacefully holding a sign to raise awareness of homeless vets. ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵAPP¹ÙÍø filed three lawsuits on his behalf to vindicate his constitutional rights and won them all!
Host a ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵAPP¹ÙÍø Speaker
Hosting a ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵAPP¹ÙÍø speaker is a great way to catalyze social change by educating members of your community about the importance of free speech, due process, and religious liberty.
Transparency and Compliance
Become a Free Speech Insider!
Subscribe to ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵAPP¹ÙÍø updates to get the latest free speech news in your inbox as it happens!
