SpeechNow.Org

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SpeechNow.org in the News                                                               

  • SpeechNow.org Wins!  A federal appeals court ruled March 26, 2010 to expand free speech rights by striking down government-imposed restrictions on participation in political campaigns.  Citizens’ groups have now been freed to speak out in elections thanks to a unanimous “en banc” ruling today by all nine active judges on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.  This is the first major application of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United v. FEC, which expanded the free speech rights of corporations and unions to participate in elections.

    Holding that, under Citizens United, “the government has no anti-corruption interest in limiting contributions to an independent expenditure group,” Chief Judge David Sentelle, in an opinion joined by all eight other judges on the D.C. Circuit, struck down federal campaign finance laws that made it practically impossible for new and independent groups of individuals to join together and advocate for the election or defeat of political candidates. 

  • Read the press release on the decision and read the Court's decision.

  • The Court of Appeals For The District of Columbia Circuit on October 26, 2009 put our case on the fast track when it decided to consolidate the cases on both the preliminary injunction motion and our challenge of the constitutionality of the law.  Read the press release.

  • The entire nine-judge Court scheduled oral argument for Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 9:30 AM.  This argument will cover both the preliminary injunction request we filed as well as the constitutional issues raised by our lawsuit.

    Here is the schedule for filing briefs on the constitutionality of the law (briefs have already been filed on the motion for a preliminary injunction): Brief for SpeechNow.org, due November 16, 2009; Brief for FEC, due December 15, 2009; Reply Brief for SpeechNow.org, due December 29, 2009.

  • The Court of Appeals on July 24, 2009 granted SpeechNow's motion to expedite consideration of appeal of the denial of the preliminary injunction.
  • Prominent election lawyer Bob Bauer blogs on the SpeechNow.org Court ruling.  Bauer says "Judge Robertson's decision against SpeechNow will not in the long run have done this organization much harm, and it may have done it a favor."
  • Judge Snubs SpeechNow.org Over Donation Limits, New York Sun, July 2, 2008.
  • The Wall St. Journal reports on SpeechNow.org's lawsuit in a Mar. 8, 2008 article "Conservative Group Challenges Portions of Finance Law ($)."
  • The Washington Times reports "Suit aims to lift campaign-finance donor limits."  Mar. 9, 2008.
  • Columnist George F. Will urges Sen. McCain to "file two amicus (friend of the court) briefs. One, to the federal court in the SpeechNow case, should defend that organization's right to speech."  Read his Newsweek column here.
  • Cato Institute Policy Forum, Wednesday, March 5, 2008
    12:00 PM    :  "Freeing SpeechNow: Free Speech and Association vs. Campaign Finance Regulation"  To listen or watch a replay, visit Cato's website here.
  • The Wall St. Journal says it's time to "Speak Easier."  The Feb. 23, 2008 editorial says "Speech costs money, and letting regular folks put their small-time cash together to support a cause, or defeat candidates, seems as reasonable as the freedom enjoyed by wealthier voters. Let's hope the courts take this opportunity to rediscover their First Amendment principles."
  • The Washington Post publishes an op-ed article titled "Unfettered Speech, Now."
  • A Los Angeles Timeseditorial says a "victory for [SpeechNow.org] would restore some sanity to the campaign finance regulatory structure."
  • Represented by the Institute for Justice and the Center for Competitive Politics, SpeechNow.org, along with members and supporters, filed a federal lawsuit Feb. 14, 2008 challenging the campaign finance law that requires SpeechNow.org to become a “political committee” in order to advocate for or against candidates.  So that SpeechNow.org can begin its advocacy as soon as possible, IJ and CCP will request a preliminary injunction and ask that an expedited hearing on that request be scheduled within 20 days.  Read the press release, backgrounder, complaint (pdf) and the request for a preliminary injunction (pdf).
  • FEC Chairman writes an opinion (pdf) that would approve most of SpeechNow.org's request, but FEC lacks enough commissioners to approve it.  (Updated.)
  • NY Sun editorial urges FEC to "Free SpeechNow."
  • Prominent election lawyer Bob Bauer blogs that SpeechNow wins advantage in Round 1 in fight with FEC. 
  • AP reports on the FEC draft opinion on SpeechNow.org's Advisory Opinion Request.
  • Reason's Jacob Sullum writes on SpeechNow.org in his syndicated column. 
  • Influential election law lawyer Bob Bauer blogs on SpeechNow.org's Advisory Opinion Request.
  • Cato's John Samples says SpeechNow.org gives him hope for free speech.
  • An Acid Test for Campaign Finance Reform, by Brad Smith, on Red State.
  • New Group Seeks Changes For Political Fund-Raising, reports the New York Sun.
  • The Hill newspaper reports on SpeechNow.org's request to the FEC. 

News                                                                             

Free speech is so important, it's the First Amendment to our Constitution.  Speech Now.org believes current laws and Court decisions recognize a free speech zone, an area where citizens can assemble for an ideological purpose and have the freedom to speak to their fellow citizens about candidates. 

We will use this free speech zone to give new life to the First Amendment by working to liberate speech for other groups. 

Politicians have hijacked our First Amendment rights to suppress political speech.  And for what?  Their personal benefit, to insulate themselves from criticism.

What is SpeechNow.org?

We're an independent speech group of citizens.  As far as we know, we are the only such group in the nation.  We hope that changes soon.  Read more about our mission.

We have adopted rigorous restrictions on our activities to eliminate even the appearance of corruption of candidates.Our charter also guarantees our independence from parties, candidates and special interest money.  We will never give a cent to any candidate.


Links                      

  • Media inquiries.
  • Litigation Page.  Copies of all briefs and Court rulings and orders can be found on this page.
  • Backgrounder on the litigation.
  • The Federal Election Commission posted SpeechNow.org's Advisory Opinion Request on Nov. 28, which can be read here. (pdf).
  • You can reach David Keating via email at David [at-- Speechnow dot org.   Since I do this in my spare time, don't expect a reply during the day.  

The First Amendment

"Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech ... or the right of the people peaceably to assemble."

 

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