Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
@thefireorg.bsky.social
We defend and promote free speech for all Americans in our courtrooms, on our campuses, and in our culture.
Brotherhood and sisterhood are forced to take a backseat to bureaucracy and suppression in Greek Life at @GallaudetU.
Their new Greek Reform Guidelines impose sweeping rules that ban words like “pledge,” control student attire at events, and restrict who can become members.
Their new Greek Reform Guidelines impose sweeping rules that ban words like “pledge,” control student attire at events, and restrict who can become members.
September 30, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Brotherhood and sisterhood are forced to take a backseat to bureaucracy and suppression in Greek Life at @GallaudetU.
Their new Greek Reform Guidelines impose sweeping rules that ban words like “pledge,” control student attire at events, and restrict who can become members.
Their new Greek Reform Guidelines impose sweeping rules that ban words like “pledge,” control student attire at events, and restrict who can become members.
A federal court has vindicated the rights of a @USD professor who was set to be fired for social media posts about Charlie Kirk’s murder.
This decision confirms what FIRE has long said—the First Amendment protects faculty’s personal speech on matters of public concern.
This decision confirms what FIRE has long said—the First Amendment protects faculty’s personal speech on matters of public concern.
September 25, 2025 at 6:29 PM
A federal court has vindicated the rights of a @USD professor who was set to be fired for social media posts about Charlie Kirk’s murder.
This decision confirms what FIRE has long said—the First Amendment protects faculty’s personal speech on matters of public concern.
This decision confirms what FIRE has long said—the First Amendment protects faculty’s personal speech on matters of public concern.
ASU’s apparent restriction does the opposite, flying in the face of the First Amendment.
FIRE demands that Angelo State University clarify whether the restriction exists—and if so, scrap it immediately.
FIRE demands that Angelo State University clarify whether the restriction exists—and if so, scrap it immediately.
September 24, 2025 at 8:27 PM
ASU’s apparent restriction does the opposite, flying in the face of the First Amendment.
FIRE demands that Angelo State University clarify whether the restriction exists—and if so, scrap it immediately.
FIRE demands that Angelo State University clarify whether the restriction exists—and if so, scrap it immediately.
Texas’s Angelo State University reportedly has an unwritten policy that bans faculty from discussing “transgender topics,” using students’ preferred names, or displaying LGBTQ flags.
As a public university, ASU must allow faculty to teach students as they see fit.
As a public university, ASU must allow faculty to teach students as they see fit.
September 24, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Texas’s Angelo State University reportedly has an unwritten policy that bans faculty from discussing “transgender topics,” using students’ preferred names, or displaying LGBTQ flags.
As a public university, ASU must allow faculty to teach students as they see fit.
As a public university, ASU must allow faculty to teach students as they see fit.
The University of Missouri doubles down on cancelling a student event for using “Black” in the name, claiming students might think it was racially exclusive.
Yet Mizzou has no issue with its own Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center or Black Studies courses.
Pot, meet kettle.
Yet Mizzou has no issue with its own Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center or Black Studies courses.
Pot, meet kettle.
September 24, 2025 at 2:49 PM
The University of Missouri doubles down on cancelling a student event for using “Black” in the name, claiming students might think it was racially exclusive.
Yet Mizzou has no issue with its own Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center or Black Studies courses.
Pot, meet kettle.
Yet Mizzou has no issue with its own Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center or Black Studies courses.
Pot, meet kettle.
FIRE will continue to call on private institutions to stand up for their rights — no matter who is in office.
As we wrote to the Supreme Court back in Feb. 2024, when the government jawbones private platforms into silencing speech, it violates the First Amendment.
www.thefire.org/research-lea...
As we wrote to the Supreme Court back in Feb. 2024, when the government jawbones private platforms into silencing speech, it violates the First Amendment.
www.thefire.org/research-lea...
September 23, 2025 at 9:03 PM
FIRE will continue to call on private institutions to stand up for their rights — no matter who is in office.
As we wrote to the Supreme Court back in Feb. 2024, when the government jawbones private platforms into silencing speech, it violates the First Amendment.
www.thefire.org/research-lea...
As we wrote to the Supreme Court back in Feb. 2024, when the government jawbones private platforms into silencing speech, it violates the First Amendment.
www.thefire.org/research-lea...
Google should not have waited to acknowledge it was pressured by the Biden administration to block content on its platforms.
Google condemns jawboning now, but it failed to stand up for the rights of its users when it mattered.
Google condemns jawboning now, but it failed to stand up for the rights of its users when it mattered.
September 23, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Google should not have waited to acknowledge it was pressured by the Biden administration to block content on its platforms.
Google condemns jawboning now, but it failed to stand up for the rights of its users when it mattered.
Google condemns jawboning now, but it failed to stand up for the rights of its users when it mattered.
BREAKING: A University of South Dakota professor filed a federal lawsuit today after the university moved to fire him over a Facebook post about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, following pressure from top state officials.
FIRE supports Professor Hook’s efforts to defend his First Amendment rights.
FIRE supports Professor Hook’s efforts to defend his First Amendment rights.
September 23, 2025 at 7:48 PM
BREAKING: A University of South Dakota professor filed a federal lawsuit today after the university moved to fire him over a Facebook post about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, following pressure from top state officials.
FIRE supports Professor Hook’s efforts to defend his First Amendment rights.
FIRE supports Professor Hook’s efforts to defend his First Amendment rights.
FIRE’s Bob Corn-Revere for @PostOpinions: FCC Chair Brendan Carr nakedly abused government power to pressure ABC into removing Jimmy Kimmel from the air for his speech. In America, the government doesn’t get to play network executive and determine who and what you watch.
September 18, 2025 at 6:55 PM
FIRE’s Bob Corn-Revere for @PostOpinions: FCC Chair Brendan Carr nakedly abused government power to pressure ABC into removing Jimmy Kimmel from the air for his speech. In America, the government doesn’t get to play network executive and determine who and what you watch.
The firing of Clemson University faculty members for posts about the murder of Charlie Kirk is the start of a troubling national trend.
FIRE reminds Clemson and all public universities that protected speech remains protected, even in tragedy.
FIRE reminds Clemson and all public universities that protected speech remains protected, even in tragedy.
September 17, 2025 at 6:11 PM
The firing of Clemson University faculty members for posts about the murder of Charlie Kirk is the start of a troubling national trend.
FIRE reminds Clemson and all public universities that protected speech remains protected, even in tragedy.
FIRE reminds Clemson and all public universities that protected speech remains protected, even in tragedy.
On Constitution Day, we honor the principles that make America strong and remember that its survival depends on us.
Introducing Soapbox: FIRE’s bold new conference to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with high-impact keynotes, timely panels, and unforgettable entertainment.
Introducing Soapbox: FIRE’s bold new conference to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with high-impact keynotes, timely panels, and unforgettable entertainment.
September 17, 2025 at 4:09 PM
On Constitution Day, we honor the principles that make America strong and remember that its survival depends on us.
Introducing Soapbox: FIRE’s bold new conference to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with high-impact keynotes, timely panels, and unforgettable entertainment.
Introducing Soapbox: FIRE’s bold new conference to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with high-impact keynotes, timely panels, and unforgettable entertainment.
WEBINAR: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi says hate speech isn’t free speech—but the Supreme Court has declared otherwise.
Join FIRE as we unpack Bondi’s remarks, explain what the law actually says, and respond to the latest free speech news from the past week.
Join FIRE as we unpack Bondi’s remarks, explain what the law actually says, and respond to the latest free speech news from the past week.
September 16, 2025 at 4:01 PM
WEBINAR: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi says hate speech isn’t free speech—but the Supreme Court has declared otherwise.
Join FIRE as we unpack Bondi’s remarks, explain what the law actually says, and respond to the latest free speech news from the past week.
Join FIRE as we unpack Bondi’s remarks, explain what the law actually says, and respond to the latest free speech news from the past week.
President Trump suggested today that media outlets are engaging in “hate speech” by being “unfair” to him and “maybe” should be prosecuted.
Trump’s statement demonstrates the inherent danger of “hate speech” laws: Those in power will always weaponize them to silence dissent.
Trump’s statement demonstrates the inherent danger of “hate speech” laws: Those in power will always weaponize them to silence dissent.
September 16, 2025 at 3:36 PM
President Trump suggested today that media outlets are engaging in “hate speech” by being “unfair” to him and “maybe” should be prosecuted.
Trump’s statement demonstrates the inherent danger of “hate speech” laws: Those in power will always weaponize them to silence dissent.
Trump’s statement demonstrates the inherent danger of “hate speech” laws: Those in power will always weaponize them to silence dissent.
There is no hate speech exception to the First Amendment. Nevertheless, the attorney general says "there's free speech, and then there's hate speech," and the government will "target you, go after you, if you are targeting anyone with hate speech."
September 16, 2025 at 1:04 PM
There is no hate speech exception to the First Amendment. Nevertheless, the attorney general says "there's free speech, and then there's hate speech," and the government will "target you, go after you, if you are targeting anyone with hate speech."
The rise is happening across ideological lines. No one is immune.
Students on the left were long the most accepting of violence, but now support has grown everywhere. Acceptance among students on the right and Independents has doubled or tripled, even surpassing the left.
Students on the left were long the most accepting of violence, but now support has grown everywhere. Acceptance among students on the right and Independents has doubled or tripled, even surpassing the left.
September 12, 2025 at 7:42 PM
The rise is happening across ideological lines. No one is immune.
Students on the left were long the most accepting of violence, but now support has grown everywhere. Acceptance among students on the right and Independents has doubled or tripled, even surpassing the left.
Students on the left were long the most accepting of violence, but now support has grown everywhere. Acceptance among students on the right and Independents has doubled or tripled, even surpassing the left.
Student acceptance of violence to silence speakers is at a record high.
In 2020, 1 in 5 students said violence was acceptable to stop a speaker. In 2025, that number is 1 in 3.
That’s a 79% increase in just five years. And it’s chilling.
In 2020, 1 in 5 students said violence was acceptable to stop a speaker. In 2025, that number is 1 in 3.
That’s a 79% increase in just five years. And it’s chilling.
September 12, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Student acceptance of violence to silence speakers is at a record high.
In 2020, 1 in 5 students said violence was acceptable to stop a speaker. In 2025, that number is 1 in 3.
That’s a 79% increase in just five years. And it’s chilling.
In 2020, 1 in 5 students said violence was acceptable to stop a speaker. In 2025, that number is 1 in 3.
That’s a 79% increase in just five years. And it’s chilling.
“Free speech is what we do instead of violence. Civilization started the day man first cast a word instead of a stone.”
We must not lose sight of this civilization-defining distinction.
🎙️: @nicoperrino.bsky.social
📺: @cnn.com
We must not lose sight of this civilization-defining distinction.
🎙️: @nicoperrino.bsky.social
📺: @cnn.com
September 11, 2025 at 5:21 PM
“Free speech is what we do instead of violence. Civilization started the day man first cast a word instead of a stone.”
We must not lose sight of this civilization-defining distinction.
🎙️: @nicoperrino.bsky.social
📺: @cnn.com
We must not lose sight of this civilization-defining distinction.
🎙️: @nicoperrino.bsky.social
📺: @cnn.com
BREAKING: Charlie Kirk was shot during an event at Utah Valley University today. Details of the incident are still unfolding.
Political violence is never an acceptable response to speech. Free speech allows us to settle our differences peacefully and is essential to a free and democratic society.
Political violence is never an acceptable response to speech. Free speech allows us to settle our differences peacefully and is essential to a free and democratic society.
September 10, 2025 at 7:23 PM
BREAKING: Charlie Kirk was shot during an event at Utah Valley University today. Details of the incident are still unfolding.
Political violence is never an acceptable response to speech. Free speech allows us to settle our differences peacefully and is essential to a free and democratic society.
Political violence is never an acceptable response to speech. Free speech allows us to settle our differences peacefully and is essential to a free and democratic society.
Who’s winning and who’s failing at campus free speech?
Join FIRE for a special webinar on the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings—and what it means for American colleges and universities.
Register today and bring your questions to the live Q&A! 🔥
Join FIRE for a special webinar on the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings—and what it means for American colleges and universities.
Register today and bring your questions to the live Q&A! 🔥
September 9, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Who’s winning and who’s failing at campus free speech?
Join FIRE for a special webinar on the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings—and what it means for American colleges and universities.
Register today and bring your questions to the live Q&A! 🔥
Join FIRE for a special webinar on the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings—and what it means for American colleges and universities.
Register today and bring your questions to the live Q&A! 🔥
6/ Increasingly, censorship is bipartisan. Conservative students are joining their liberal peers in saying shout-downs are acceptable.
One in three students now believe that violence is at least rarely acceptable to silence a speaker—making campus speech less free for everyone.
One in three students now believe that violence is at least rarely acceptable to silence a speaker—making campus speech less free for everyone.
September 9, 2025 at 1:40 PM
6/ Increasingly, censorship is bipartisan. Conservative students are joining their liberal peers in saying shout-downs are acceptable.
One in three students now believe that violence is at least rarely acceptable to silence a speaker—making campus speech less free for everyone.
One in three students now believe that violence is at least rarely acceptable to silence a speaker—making campus speech less free for everyone.
5/ On public campuses, nearly half of students say the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is difficult to discuss.
Campuses should be places where diverse viewpoints are celebrated and students can engage in open debate, not self-censor.
Campuses should be places where diverse viewpoints are celebrated and students can engage in open debate, not self-censor.
September 9, 2025 at 1:40 PM
5/ On public campuses, nearly half of students say the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is difficult to discuss.
Campuses should be places where diverse viewpoints are celebrated and students can engage in open debate, not self-censor.
Campuses should be places where diverse viewpoints are celebrated and students can engage in open debate, not self-censor.
4/ Barnard College, Columbia University, and Indiana University are ranked the worst colleges for free speech.
They fell after disastrous responses to Israel-Hamas War protests—Indiana even stationed snipers on rooftops during peaceful encampments. Safe to say, free speech wasn’t a priority.
They fell after disastrous responses to Israel-Hamas War protests—Indiana even stationed snipers on rooftops during peaceful encampments. Safe to say, free speech wasn’t a priority.
September 9, 2025 at 1:40 PM
4/ Barnard College, Columbia University, and Indiana University are ranked the worst colleges for free speech.
They fell after disastrous responses to Israel-Hamas War protests—Indiana even stationed snipers on rooftops during peaceful encampments. Safe to say, free speech wasn’t a priority.
They fell after disastrous responses to Israel-Hamas War protests—Indiana even stationed snipers on rooftops during peaceful encampments. Safe to say, free speech wasn’t a priority.
3/ This year’s class average was an “F.” Even the highest-ranked school, Claremont McKenna College, only earned a B-.
September 9, 2025 at 1:40 PM
3/ This year’s class average was an “F.” Even the highest-ranked school, Claremont McKenna College, only earned a B-.
2/ FIRE and College Pulse surveyed over 68,000 students from 257 institutions to uncover the state of free speech in higher education.
Across the country, campuses enforce unclear policies and restrict debate, fueling a climate where free speech is under threat.
Across the country, campuses enforce unclear policies and restrict debate, fueling a climate where free speech is under threat.
September 9, 2025 at 1:40 PM
2/ FIRE and College Pulse surveyed over 68,000 students from 257 institutions to uncover the state of free speech in higher education.
Across the country, campuses enforce unclear policies and restrict debate, fueling a climate where free speech is under threat.
Across the country, campuses enforce unclear policies and restrict debate, fueling a climate where free speech is under threat.
BREAKING: FIRE’s 2026 College Free Speech Rankings reveal America’s colleges are failing.
The nation’s report card on campus speech shows over half of colleges received an “F” rating. Intolerance in students has skyrocketed in the Trump 2.0 era.
The nation’s report card on campus speech shows over half of colleges received an “F” rating. Intolerance in students has skyrocketed in the Trump 2.0 era.
September 9, 2025 at 1:40 PM
BREAKING: FIRE’s 2026 College Free Speech Rankings reveal America’s colleges are failing.
The nation’s report card on campus speech shows over half of colleges received an “F” rating. Intolerance in students has skyrocketed in the Trump 2.0 era.
The nation’s report card on campus speech shows over half of colleges received an “F” rating. Intolerance in students has skyrocketed in the Trump 2.0 era.