Free Speech and Association

Historically, at times of national stress, real or imagined, First Amendment rights come under enormous pressure. During the Red Scare of the early 1920s, thousands were deported for their political views. During the McCarthy period, the infamous blacklist ruined lives and careers. Today, the creators, producers and distributors of popular culture are being blamed for the nation's deep social problems. Calls for censorship threaten to erode free speech.

The First Amendment exists to protect the most offensive and controversial speech from government suppression. The best way to counter obnoxious speech is with more speech. Persuasion, not coercion, is the solution.

Background Documents and Reports

• February 4, 2002 >> Crisis is Tense Time for Freedom of Expression: Remarks before Intellectual Freedom Institute PDF
• September 21, 1998 >> Reggie White's Speech: Indefensible or Indivisible? Essay by Christopher Ahmuty PDF

Press Releases

• November 2007 >> ACLU of WISCONSIN DEFENDS WALID SHOEBAT’S RIGHT
  TO SPEAK AT UW-MILWAUKEE 
• May 23, 2005 >> New Berlin Schools Open To Free Speech Again FULL STORY
• February 23, 2005 >> ACLU of Wisconsin Defends Ward Churchill's Right to Speak at UW-Whitewater:
  Encourages Chancellor to Resist Pressure from Legislature FULL STORY
• November 19, 2004 >> Racist Comments on Wisconsin Radio FULL STORY
• September 1, 2004 >> ACLU urges Police Chief to work with protesters to protect safety and freedom. FULL STORY
• August 25, 2004 >> Oshkosh resident Jacob Burns appeared in Winnebago County Circuit Court this morning to contest a ticket issued because he held a political sign on a bridge over highway 41. FULL STORY
• July 16, 2004 >> A recent federal judge's ruling that a City of Pewaukee ordinance was unconstitutional will likely mean the state will decide against trying to enforce its rule that limits when residents can plant signs to promote candidates or causes. FULL STORY
• June 2, 2004 >> Pewaukee Yearbook Photo Controversy Requires Balancing Act and Action FULL STORY
• April 12, 2004 >> A federal court has ruled that the City of Pewaukee unconstitutionally violated the First Amendment rights of its residents. FULL STORY
• January 20, 2004 >> Policy Violates Right to Free Speech and Equal Protection of New Berlin Citizens FULL STORY
• January 16, 2003 >> After ACLU Action, Racine Dismisses Hundreds of "Inmate of Disorderly House" Citations FULL STORY
• November 26, 2002 >> ACLU-Wisconsin Urges Racine to Drop Electronic Music Concert Citations FULL STORY
• August 22, 2002 >> ACLU Challenges Pewaukee Speech Ordinance in Federal Court FULL STORY
• October 8, 1999 >> Gay Books to Remain on High School Library Shelves; Barron Lawsuit Settled FULL STORY
• September 17, 1999 >> ACLU of Wisconsin Lambastes Council Threat to Cable Access FULL STORY
• February 24, 1999 >> ACLU Files Lawsuit Challenging Censorship of Gay Books FULL STORY
  
• January 1, 1999 >> ACLU Challenges Rally Permit Denial FULL STORY
• December 27, 1998 >> ACLU Prepares to Sue Barron Over Censorship of Gay Books FULL STORY
• October 24, 1998 >> Governor Tommy G. Thompson proposes a new flag protection statute FULL STORY
• October 6, 1998 >> ACLU Challenges School's Banning of Gay Books FULL STORY
• July 21, 1998 >> Right to Political Speech FULL STORY
• April 8, 1997 >> ACLU of Wisconsin responds to the use of its name in an anonymous pre-election post card contrasting candidates FULL STORY
• December 23, 1996 >> Television industry wants ratings similar to classify shows FULL STORY
• November 1, 1996 >> "Rat Art" Censored in Madison FULL STORY
• July 29, 1996 >> Marge Schott Suspended from Operating Cincinnati Reds for expressing her racism out loud FULL STORY