Free Speech, Free Country

At its core, a free country means that every person may think critically, speak boldly, and dissent without fear. This fundamental freedom is the bedrock of a safe, engaged, informed public.

A free country also means that the government must follow the rules when it arrests or detains someone, and that it may not deport a person without a chance to defend themselves in court.

Free Speech
Today, the First Amendment is under serious threat in Ohio. State lawmakers have imposed sweeping restrictions on academic freedom—chilling open discussion in our public colleges and universities and endangering the very spaces where ideas should thrive. If left unchallenged, this threatens educators’ ability to teach the full truth of our history and stifles the next generation’s capacity to think critically about power, justice, and democracy.

As states increasingly restrict what can be taught, discussed, or protested, Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities are disproportionately targeted. These communities are not only silenced, but are systematically stripped of their histories, cultures, and humanity, deepening a cycle of marginalization and erasure.

Due Process for All
We are steadfast in defending the First Amendment and the fundamental right to free speech. We will fight to uphold due process and protect our neighbors from unjust detention, deportation, and the destruction of the lives they have built here. We will partner to actively foster welcoming, inclusive communities where everyone can belong, contribute, and thrive.