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FIRE’s West Coast Regional Conference

FIRE is thrilled to announce that for the first time ever, we will host a West Coast Regional Conference on Saturday, April 29 in Los Angeles.

The conference will feature a keynote address from Eugene Volokh, noted First Amendment expert and law professor at University of California, Los Angeles. Professor Volokh is the founder of and frequent contributor to The Washington Post’s The Volokh Conspiracy, which has been described as “one of the Internet’s most-read legal blogs.” Volokh’s posts focus on First Amendment law — specifically free speech and religious liberty.

This special event will offer students an accessible and thorough review of their right to free expression, focusing on the principles of free speech, the parameters of First Amendment law, and the best strategies for campus action. Attendees will learn about the evolution of free speech in higher education and the proliferation of unconstitutional campus speech codes. Additionally, FIRE staff and students will work closely to develop winning strategies for protecting freedom of expression on campus.

The conference will include workshops facilitated by FIRE staff, who will teach students about their rights, and provide practical lessons and tips on how to successfully challenge illiberal campus policies.

In addition to our Saturday conference, FIRE will host a dinner on Friday, April 28, for students who have dedicated themselves to defending and protecting free speech issues on campus. (Students selected to attend this exclusive dinner will be contacted by FIRE after they apply for the conference.) At the dinner, attendees will have an opportunity to network with other students, talk one-on-one with FIRE staff, discuss challenges on campus, and brainstorm ideas for action. They’ll also hear from special guest speaker Virginia Postrel.

Postrel is the former editor of Reason Magazine, has been a columnist for The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, The New York Times, Forbes and its companion technology magazine Forbes ASAP, and has authored several books, including “The Power of Glamour”, “The Substance of Style”, and “The Future and Its Enemies.” Postrel’s work spans a broad range of topics — from social science to fashion — concentrating on the intersection of culture and commerce.

FIRE’s West Coast Regional Conference is free to attend and open to current students at U.S. colleges and universities, including graduate students and incoming freshmen. Meals will be provided to attendees. Travel reimbursement for up to $150 per student will be available to help students travel to and from Los Angeles.

For more information, click here. Space is filling up quickly, so apply today!

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