Martin Gruberg has served as president of the Fox Valley Civil Liberties Union and the delegate to the ACLU of Wisconsin board since 1985. Gruberg taught public law at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh from 1963 to 2008. He is the author of “Women in American Politics: An assesment and sourcebook”.
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American Association of University Professors
The American Association of University Professors represents the interests of academics and provides assistance to protect the First Amendment academic freedom.
Benjamin Franklin Bache
Benjamin Franklin Bache, grandson of Benjamin Franklin, was arrested under the Sedition Act of 1798. In his partisan journalism he was accused of libeling President John Adams.
Blood Transfusions and Medical Care against Religious Beliefs
First Amendment free exercise of religion is in question when medical care is refused due to religious beliefs. Courts must balance religious rights and child welfare.
Gag Rule in Congress
In the 1830s and 40s, Congress had a standing gag rule to table any antislavery petition discussion. John Quincy Adams argued against this rule and repealed it in 1844.
J. Edgar Hoover
J. Edgar Hoover was director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for 48 years. His critics accused him violating individuals’ First Amendment rights.
J. Skelly Wright
James Skelly Wright was a highly respected federal judge who was perhaps best known for his impact on civil rights and desegregation, specifically in New Orleans.
John Wilkes
John Wilkes was an Englishman who championed free expression and individualism during the 18th century. He was prosecuted for seditious libel and obscenity.
Ku Klux Klan
Although some Supreme Court decisions have allowed prosecution of the Ku Klux Klan for terrorist activity, others have affirmed the First Amendment rights of Klan members.
Lewis Powell Jr.
Supreme Court Justice Lewis F. Powell Jr. was conservative on matters of crime and law enforcement but liberal on First Amendment matters concerning separation of church and state.
McCarran Internal Security Act of 1950 (1950)
The McCarran Internal Security Act of 1950 required Communist organizations to register with the government, posing a risk to First Amendment freedoms of association and speech.
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry was an opponent of the U.S. Constitution. His opposition helped convince Federalists to agree to a bill of rights on the document, which included the First Amendment.
Robert Bork
Judge Robert Bork, who served as solicitor general for President Nixon, believed the First Amendment free speech protection only applied to political speech.
Sheppard v. Maxwell (1966)
Sheppard v. Maxwell (1966), which involved a murder trial, epitomized how a circus-like “media” trial can pit First Amendment freedom against the right to a fair trial.
Star Chamber
The term star chamber refers pejoratively to any secret meeting held by a judicial body. The First Amendment supports the right of the public to attend criminal trials.
Voltaire
Voltaire was a French author and philosopher of the Enlightenment period who was an inspiration to those on both sides of the Atlantic interested in free inquiry and secularism.