NEFAC announced in January the launching of its First Amendment conversation series, an ambitious effort to educate the region about our civil liberties and the value of journalism.
Our goal at the time — and still now — is to help every community in New England learn more about the freedoms we cherish and how to protect them. More than one-third of all Americans can’t name a single liberty provided to us by the First Amendment and we aim to change that distressing statistic for the better.
We asked for your help and support — and you delivered.
Because of your generosity throughout the year, we have been able to broaden our audience and kickstart conversations on college campuses, in high school classrooms and in community centers and libraries. We’ve recruited some of the brightest attorneys, journalists and civil rights advocates to help answer your questions about free speech, the independent press, the right to protest and many other topics crucial to the well-being of our democracy. We’ve spoken at or plan to speak at more than 25 locations this year…
And with your help we can do so much more in 2019.
There remains a hunger for civics and legal education throughout the region and we are just beginning to meet this need. We want to double our efforts next year and visit 50 sites from Bangor to Bridgeport, Manchester to Montpelier, Provincetown to Pawtucket.
We now have momentum. Will you help us keep it by making a donation today?
Of course, we’ll continue our other aggressive advocacy efforts.
• We recently concluded our eighth annual three-day investigative journalism institute, providing free training for hundreds of local reporters, editors and producers since 2011.
• We are part of a special committee advising the city of Burlington, Vermont, on how to prevent censorship in its high school.
• We testified to the Massachusetts Legislature on the value of government transparency and broad public record laws.
• We helped coordinate Free Speech Week events in Portland and Augusta.
We’ll continue to file amicus briefs in court, write op/eds and denounce any attempt to weaken the First Amendment. All of these things will continue.
But the foundation to it all is education. We need to cut through the clutter of misinformation and provide truthful answers to those who need them most. A donation today will help us double-up our efforts and add more stops to this First Amendment tour. Please help keep this vital conversation going.
On behalf of NEFAC, thank you for all your help and support.
Sincerely,
Karen Bordeleau
NEFAC President
NEFAC was formed in 2006 to advance and protect the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment, including the principle of the public’s right to know. We’re a broad-based organization of people who believe in the power of an informed democratic society. Our members include lawyers, journalists, historians, academics and private citizens.
Our coalition is funded through contributions made by those who value the First Amendment and who strive to keep government accountable. Please make a donation here.
Major Supporters of NEFAC include the Barr Foundation, The Providence Journal Charitable Legacy Fund, The Robertson Foundation, The Boston Globe, WBUR and Boston University.