Free Speech Makes Free People
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.
When U of Tennessee tried to expel a pharmacy student for a tweet about Cardi B, she fought back with help from FIRE, and together we won in federal court.
FIRE's 2025 College Yearbook Superlatives
It’s graduation season again, a time to reflect fondly on the past academic year — or wonder exactly how things went so wrong. Through the good, the bad, and the just-plain-weird of it all, we held censors accountable and gave credit where it was due.
FIRE commentary and analysis from around the web
The Department of Homeland Security’s decision to stop Harvard’s ability to enroll foreign students is an unconstitutional retaliation. | Unheard
Trump’s Harvard foreign student ban is an attack on free speech
Supreme Court decision makes it harder for Americans to vindicate our constitutional rights when the government violates them. | The Hill
The Supreme Court made your rights harder to defend — Congress must now step up
Trump has made 'lawfare' the official policy of his administration. | Fox News
The president and his enemies
Defend free expression against Marco Rubio’s speech police
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is claiming authority to expel any non-citizen at any time for any speech the administration deems contrary to its “foreign policy.” FIRE wants to fight it, so we are looking for students, faculty, student organizations, and institutions of higher learning who are affected by the administration’s threat to deport non-citizens for protected speech.
WATCH TRAILER: Ira Glasser’s story is as timely and provocative as ever. Co-directed by FIRE Executive Vice President Nico Perrino.
Mighty Ira: A Civil Liberties Story
FIRE Feature Documentary
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.
Is cancel culture dead?
So to Speak: The Free Speech PodcastEp. 242
The co-authors of "The Canceling of the American Mind" discuss its new paperback release and where cancel culture stands a year and a half after the book's original publication. - -- President and CEO of FIRE Co-author of "The...
Have your rights been violated?
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.
Defending Free Speech Since 1999
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 Retaliation for Protected Speech?
In the Courts
Facing censorship or retaliation for protected speech? FIRE’s lawyers are here to help Americans whose free speech rights are violated.
Need help? FIRE is ready.
Helping You
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.
Challenging Censorship on Campus
Changing Higher Ed
FIRE’s College Policy Reform team works to proactively and systematically challenge campus policies that violate the rights of students and faculty on campus.
Working With Legislators
Changing Laws
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.
Home and Abroad
International 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.
Animal rights advocates sue after facing arrest
Public Advocacy
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.
FIRE’s 10 common-sense reforms for colleges and universities
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.
2025 College Free Speech Rankings
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 |
Support the Fight for Free Speech
Get Involved
Help us build a new free speech movement and promote a strong culture of free speech by supporting FIRE with a donation today. Please join us in this important work!
690+
Since 1999, FIRE has amassed more than 690 victories defending student and faculty rights on more than 300 campuses nationwide.
33
In 2024, FIRE actively litigated 33 cases.
2,200
In 2024, FIRE vetted nearly 2,200 case submissions involving individuals and groups who said their rights were threatened.
1m
FIRE regularly reaches an audience of more than 1,000,000 email subscribers and social media followers.
Get Involved
Free speech is under threat on college campuses. Here’s how you can make a difference.
FIRE Student Network
For Students
The FIRE Student Network is a coalition of students who recognize the importance of advancing civil liberties on their campuses.
FIRE Faculty Network
For Faculty
The FIRE Faculty Network is a coalition of faculty supporters interested in promoting and defending free expression and academic freedom at their institutions.
Join the FIRE Alumni Network
Build Your Network
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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