Been a supporter since their NCARL days (National Committee Against Repressive Legislation), helping to stop S.1 (predecessor to the Patriot Act).

DDF gets to the core of civil liberties issues. I've worked with them for over 40 years and their focus is consistently on the long-term protection of the Bill of Rights.

The Defending Dissent Foundation is a critically important institution in the civil liberties sphere. Defending freedoms of speech, assembly and the press is, of course, necessary, but just as important is defending the right to dissent. Defending Dissent understands it is not the constitutionally protected speech and actions of those we agree with that need to be protected, it's the views of those who challenge and upset the ruling powers and status quo. Defending Dissent has a storied history of taking up the cause of dissidents, and I am proud to be a board member and supporter.

One of the features I volunteer to help with as a Board member is to build DDF's online Civil Liberties Hall of Fame. http://www.defendingdissent.org/fame/ DDF does so much more. It has a real commitment to explaining not just the right to dissent but the fact that a healthy democracy requires dissent and debate in order to function properly as a free society. We help build coalitions to defend dissent across the political spectrum.

Defending Dissent, has a long history of struggle for justice, from its grandparent group, the Natl Committee Against Repressive Legislation, which helped to defeat the House Unamerican Activities Committee, to First Amendment Foundation. In its present life, Defending Dissent is a most vital and indispensable organization at a time when this nation faces perhaps its most difficult, in defense of civil liberties, working both with sister organizations and lobbying effectively on the hill.I am proud, as a board member, to be part of this most energetic, resourceful and courageous organization.

Defending the right to political dissent (telling the government when we disagree) is the most basic predicate to a free society. The Defending Dissent Foundation, and it's predecessor entities, have been doing this superbly since 1960.

It is my honor and privilege to serve as a board member with the Defending Dissent Foundation, a crucial organization in protecting political and free-speech rights in the United States. DDF is a small but indispensable contributor to American democracy, freedom and constitutional liberty.

Defending Dissent Foundation is engaging activists to respond to critical civil liberties of the day. Further it connects the proud history of the organization and of dissent to people today.

Defending Dissent is a great national organization that also makes great use of its local connections in the DC area to mobilize support for civil liberties, national security, and dissent generally. I'm with a local group, Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition; we're very fortunate to get to work with Sue Udry and DDF frequently on local and national civil liberties issues, and benefit from their expertise, enthusiasm, and support.

I can't say enough about Defending Dissent Foundation. Since it began in 1960, it has been trailblazer in defending political dissent. In terms of staff, it's one full time executive director and a bit more for an assistant. And they still have an impact. DDF was sited by a UN human rights report several times in the past couple of years. Join the fight to protect the right to political dissent!