Free Speech

Freedom of speech is protected in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights and is guaranteed to all Americans. Since 1920, the ACLU has worked to preserve our freedom of speech. Learn more and take action to protect the right to free speech.

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Stand Up for Little Rock

Freedom of speech is protected in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights and is guaranteed to all Americans. Since 1920, the ACLU has worked to preserve our freedom of speech. Learn more and take action to protect the right to free speech.

The Latest

News & Commentary
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A federal court blocked Arkansas’s Ten Commandments law, affirming students’ religious freedom and limits on government in schools.
Press Release
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Court Permanently Blocks Arkansas Law Requiring Ten Commandments in Every Public School Classroom and Library

Issue Areas: Free Speech, Students' Rights, Religion & Belief
Court Cases: Stinson v. Fayetteville School District No. 1
News & Commentary
This only ends with your courage.

Resisting the Abuse of Power: Standing Together Against Authoritarianism

Stand up against ICE in our communities.
Press Release
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ACLU of Arkansas, For AR Kids Secure Settlement Affirming Right to Petition in Public Spaces

Issue Areas: Free Speech, Voting Rights
Court Cases: For AR Kids v. Town of Rose Bud, Arkansas and Shawn Gorham, Mayor
Court Case
Jul 10, 2025

Holt v. Payne

The ACLU of Arkansas filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Gregory Holt, also known as Abdul Maalik Muhammad, a renowned jailhouse litigator and devout Muslim, against Arkansas Division of Correction Director Dexter Payne. The lawsuit challenges Mr. Muhammad’s sudden and retaliatory transfer to a dangerous federal prison in West Virginia, alleging it was designed to derail his civil rights litigation and silence his legal advocacy on behalf of himself and others in prison.
Court Case
Mar 16, 2026

Stinson v. Fayetteville School District No. 1

A group of seven multifaith Arkansas families has filed a federal lawsuit to stop Act 573, a new state law that requires all public elementary and secondary schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom and library.
Court Case
May 14, 2025

Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids v. Cole Jester and Tim Griffin

The ACLU of Arkansas, along with Elias Law Group and Shults Law Firm, filed a motion to intervene in a federal lawsuit challenging Arkansas laws that restrict the citizen ballot initiative process. The motion was filed on behalf of Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids — two grassroots coalitions working to place constitutional amendments on the 2026 ballot.
Court Case
Feb 03, 2025

Hector v. Brumley

The ACLU of Arkansas has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Patty Hector, the former director of the Saline County Library, against Saline County Judge Matthew Brumley and Saline County challenging Ms. Hector’s retaliatory termination after she publicly opposed censorship efforts.