Freedom of Speech and Association

The First Amendment protects our freedom to speak, assemble, and associate with others. These rights are essential to our democratic system of governance. The Supreme Court has written that freedom of expression is "the matrix, the indispensable condition of nearly every other form of freedom." Without it, other fundamental rights, like the right to vote, would cease to exist. Since its founding, the ACLU has advocated for broad protection of our First Amendment rights in times of war and peace, to ensure that the marketplace of ideas remains vigorous and unrestricted.

Free Speech

The First Amendment protects our freedom to speak, assemble, and associate with others. These rights are essential to our democratic system of governance. The Supreme Court has written that freedom of expression is "the matrix, the indispensable condition of nearly every other form of freedom." Without it, other fundamental rights, like the right to vote, would cease to exist. Since its founding, the ACLU has advocated for broad protection of our First Amendment rights in times of war and peace, to ensure that the marketplace of ideas remains vigorous and unrestricted.

The Latest

News & Commentary
Graphic featuring a stylized black-and-white image of a protest banner displaying “86 47,” overlaid with a megaphone illustration on a brown and pink abstract background.

It's not obscene or a threat. The government can't shut down free speech that criticizes the president.

Accountability NOW USA protests the president 24/7 in Washington, D.C. And a court affirmed its right to publicly express its message criticizing the president.
Press Release
Placeholder image

ACLU, ACLU of D.C., and National Press Photographers Association Tell Court that Blocking Drone Photography of DHS Operations Violates First Amendment

In Friend-of-the-Court Brief, Free Speech Groups Urge Court to Block Airspace Restrictions Affecting Journalists
Issue Areas: Freedom of Speech and Association
Podcast
Satire Isn’t a Crime: Defending the Right to Protest the National Guard - Episode 3 of the podcast A more prefect district

Satire Isn’t a Crime - Defending the Right to Protest the National Guard

Can the Government Punish You for Mocking It? In this episode, host Amber Taylor, Strategic Communications Director at ACLU-D.C., sits down with our client Sam O’Hara to discuss his detention by D.C. police after he recorded National Guard members patrolling Washington, D.C., while playing The Imperial March from Star Wars. Sam shares what happened that day, why he believes his rights were violated, and what his lawsuit, O’Hara v. Beck, could mean for free speech and the right to challenge authority.
Press Release
Placeholder image

Federal Court Rules 8647 Flag and Anti-Trump Signs Are Protected Speech

A federal district court issued a ruling that the National Park Service cannot interfere with an ongoing protest critical of Donald Trump.
Issue Areas: Freedom of Speech and Association
Court Cases: Accountability NOW USA v. Griess, et al. – Defending the Right to Display Signs Accusing President Trump of Sex Crimes

Cases, Campaigns & Legislation

Legislation
Sep 30, 2026

Testimony before the D.C. Council Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety on B26-0655, the Protecting Judicial Privacy Act of 2026

Judges deserve protection from bad actors, but that protection must not silence constitutionally protected speech on matters of public concern, especially information relevant to judicial transparency and ethics.
Status: Legislative Testimony
Position: Needs amendments
Legislation
Oct 29, 2024

ACLU-D.C. Letter Opposing Residential Tranquility Legislation

While the ACLU-D.C. understands the concerns at stake, it is our position that any bill that seeks to restrict people’s First Amendment activities should not be rushed and should receive full deliberation.
Position: Oppose