Embracing America’s founding ideals

The Declaration of Independence recognized the rights of all people to seek life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. When the Constitution established structural checks and balances and enshrined civil liberties in the Bill of Rights, it was the first time the principles of human dignity and individual rights had served as the cornerstone for a new nation.

Over the past 250 years, each time our country has more faithfully applied those principles to all people, we’ve made a steady march toward progress and unlocked unprecedented human flourishing. When they have been set aside, we’ve seen our darkest hours as a country.

Today those principles face grave threats from extreme elements across the political spectrum. Freedoms of speech and of the press, the separation of powers, due process protections that are bedrocks of criminal justice, and other constitutional norms that have pulled America through its most challenging times are increasingly being cast aside. Many political figures are instead taking an “ends justify the means” approach that tramples individual rights for partisan gains, with renewed calls for failed ideas such as socialism, nationalism, and cronyism.

Stand Together community partners are working to reverse this dangerous trajectory by defending the rule of law, primarily through restoring key constitutional checks and balances and protecting free speech, the rights of the criminally accused, and other civil liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

In the past three years, our and our partners’ efforts have strengthened the separation of powers and aligned government more closely with our founding ideals. We’ve supported free speech initiatives mobilizing 800,000 people in contexts that reach beyond college campuses and helped lead passage of the First Step Act, the most substantial federal criminal justice reform in 30 years. Our partners’ legal actions have also been pivotal in defending privacy rights throughout the U.S., at both state and federal levels. 

Criminal Justice

Government must protect rights through a criminal justice system, but it also must be limited to avoid violating individual rights. This tension explains why 4 of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution address this issue. And it’s why our efforts to restore a constitutionally limited government focus on creating an effective criminal justice system – one that protects public safety, respects human dignity, makes victims whole, removes barriers to opportunity for people with criminal records, and ensures equal justice for all.

Free Speech

In an era where there is increasing toxic division and momentum across the political spectrum to stifle open discourse, the First Amendment stands as the main line of defense for freedom of speech, freedom of association, and freedom of religion.  As a result, our work and that of our partners in defending the First Amendment is more vital than ever. Together, we can ensure that a free and open marketplace of ideas is protected by actively resisting censorship and government overreach.