Americans Against Free Speech (AAFS)

Handsome Native man with long hair speaks to a tradition and a way of life. 

1st Native woman in the Marines - Minnie Spotted Wolf

"Something is happening beneath the surface, right beneath our noses. Things like this often happen while most are distracted by a major event in the public eye of no real consequence to the betterment of the whole! So what is insignificant that is occurring and getting your attention while something fundamental to our freedoms is being threatened with extinction that has your attention?" - Gregory E. Woods, African-Muskogee 2.19.14 

URGENT: A bill is being considered in Annapolis that would cut funding to the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association. Learn more and contact your legislator here:http://www.freespeechfreestate.org/

New Updates: Read Professor Melani McAlister's Baltimore Sun OpEd "Bills would stifle academic freedom" and a press release from civil liberty groups.

The Coalition to "Keep Free Speech in the Free State" arose in response to a bill in the Maryland Assembly which would defund public universities for reimbursing faculty's participation in professional organizations that Maryland legislators politically disagree with.

In plain English, some Maryland legislators disagree with academic associations which have declared support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against the Israeli Occupation. Only academic associations with this specific political opinion are being targeted. To date, targeted associations include the following:

The American Studies Association

The Association for Asian American Studies

The Native American and Indigenous Studies Association

However, it is important to note that the Modern Language Association which has a membership of 30,000 has been exploring BDS resolutions which could inevitably add them to the "banned" list.          

The New York Assembly pulled a similar proposed legislation in response to a backlash from academic, civil liberties representatives citing that such legislation has a chilling effect on free speech and punishes organizations for their political opinions.

Maryland has a long history of tolerance, respect for civil liberties and support for diverse academic discourse. Given the keen national attention this issue has garnered, our State has much to lose from the passing of this legislation.

Take Action to keep Maryland from becoming the national "poster child" for academic suppression.