First Amendment Strike Force and Mass Defense Unit

Established by the NFCJ and NACDL, the goal of this project is to provide qualified counsel to represent protesters when the exercise of First Amendment rights results in arrest and prosecution. Irrespective of political ideology, the right to protest and petition the government for a redress of grievances is the foundation of American democracy. People who are charged with criminal offenses, many of whom are not persons of means, while standing up for their principles should receive vigorous representation irrespective of their economic status.