Free Speech

Freedom of Speech, of the Press, of Assembly, of Association, and to Petition: this set of guarantees, protected by the First Amendment, constitutes freedom of expression. The Supreme Court has written that this freedom is "the matrix, the indispensable condition of nearly every other form of freedom." Without it, other fundamental rights, like the right to vote, would wither and die. The right to express yourself regardless of the popularity of your views is basic to a democratic society. Throughout its history, the ACLU has met challenges from officials who cite reasons old and new to restrict this right. We recognize that if one person can be silenced, all of us are at risk.

Here in Alaska, our advocacy around free speech has a broad impact: from fighting censorship and English-only laws to ensuring that sidewalks remain a place where people can peacefully protest, the ACLU is there to defend Alaskans against unconstitutional prohibitions on this fundamental right.