Committee to Defend the First Amendment
The Committee to Defend the First Amendment (CDFA) is a nonprofit organization established in 1979, dedicated to safeguarding the rights enshrined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Primarily functioning as a fundraising body, CDFA provides vital financial support for legal services to individuals and groups facing threats to their free speech rights. The organization is managed by a board of directors composed of professionals from various fields, including media, law, education, and religion, all united by a commitment to protect free expression. Over the years, CDFA has played a significant role in raising awareness about First Amendment issues, offering educational resources to organizations and the public about the importance and vulnerabilities of these rights. In 1984, the organization rebranded itself as the First Amendment Research Institute, shifting its focus toward public education through research initiatives and informative outreach. Overall, the CDFA serves as a critical resource for those seeking to understand and defend their First Amendment rights in a changing social landscape.
Committee to Defend the First Amendment
FOUNDED: 1979
TYPE OF ORGANIZATION: U.S. fundraising body dedicated to protecting the First Amendment
SIGNIFICANCE: This organization has provided funds for legal services and assistance to those whose First Amendment rights are in jeopardy
The CDFA is a nonprofit organization administered by a board of directors. Its members are professionals from the fields of media, education, law, and religion who are interested in protecting rights to free speech. It has provided funding for legal services in cases that involve First Amendment issues. The CDFA also provides informational material for organizations, government agencies, and the general public about limitations and violations of First Amendment rights, the place of such rights in society, and why they need to be protected.
In 1984 the CDFA changed its name to First Amendment Research Institute and began concentrating more on educating the public through research and mailings about First Amendment issues.