Foundation for Individual Rights in Education
FIRE’s mission is to defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought.
Freedom of speech is a fundamental American freedom and human right. It is essential for democracy, scientific progress, artistic expression, social justice, peace, and our ability to live as authentic individuals.
Yet, across our nation, this cornerstone of our free society is under serious threat. Far too many of us fear sharing our views or challenging those that seem to dominate. Nearly 6-in-10 Americans believe our nation’s democracy is threatened because people are afraid to voice their opinions.
FIRE therefore defends and promotes the value of free speech for all Americans in our courtrooms, on our campuses, and in our culture. Our vision is an America in which people overwhelmingly believe in the right of others to freely express views different from their own, and expect their laws and educational institutions to reflect and teach this belief.
Founded in 1999 as the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, for over 20 years FIRE has worked to advance the cause of free speech and the values of the First Amendment on our nation’s college and university campuses. We have done so through our commitments to sincere nonpartisanship, courageous advocacy, and an enduring belief in free speech as a force for good.
In 2022, FIRE changed its name to the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression to reflect its broader effort to protect and promote these values off campus, as well.
FIRE pursues its charitable mission to preserve free expression’s foundational place in American democracy and culture as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All contributions to FIRE are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
Fundraisers
Fundraiser by Nele The Entertainer
Freedom of Spee
June 25th, 2016 Acrylic paint on canvas, captured by Samsung Galaxy S4
This is another one of the earliest pieces I worked on independently and chose to take a digital record of. The materials I used to procure it (which were a cotton canvas and acrylic paint, as well as borrowed brushes) were all generously donated to me by an old friend. As you can see, the piece is unfinished; I mean, two floating amputated arms in a guillotine without a body behind it in the shadows? What was I thinking, that the subject was in the Superman pose? Again, I chose blue as the skin color here, but this time it was definitely more so for the sake of diversity. I feel like any one of us can identify with the feeling of being unheard or having our voice taken away. I ended up giving the piece as a going away present to another old friend, and I assume it must be long gone now. I’m just happy I had the foresight to take a photo of it before I let it go. It’s important to look at the past to be reminded of the progress we’ve made and to remain motivated for the future.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from minting this NFT will go towards The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression , to aid with protecting the constitutional rights to free speech of vulnerable populations. Every subsequent sale will be split 50-50 between the seller and the foundation. You must be 18 years or older (or whichever is the legal age in your area) and possess a valid credit card tied to your name, or if purchasing with crypto you automatically attest that you are of legal majority age within your jurisdiction to be making such a transaction.