Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression

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The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression was a non-profit organization in Albemarle County that sought to defend free speech. The organization was founded in 1989 by Robert O'Neill, a former president of the University of Virginia following a $3.5 million gift from Tom Worrell.

In 2019, the Center's Board of Directors donated $1 million in assets to the University of Virginia Law School to the First Amendment Clinic. [1] [2]

The Center raised funds for the construction of the First Amendment Monument on Charlottesville's Downtown Mall which was commemorated in 2006. Every April, the group awarded "Jefferson Muzzles" to individuals, governments, businesses and organizations that have somehow limited free speech. These were awarded on or near Jefferson's birthday and are meant to celebrate his comment that freedom of speech ‘cannot be limited without being lost.’


Resources

References

  1. Web. UVA Law School relaunches First Amendment Clinic, Press Release, Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press, July 1, 2019, retrieved March 27, 2021.
  2. Web. Muzzled: Free speech wall creator shuts down, Lisa Provence, News Article, C-Ville Weekly, Charlottesville, VA, July 10, 2019, retrieved March 27, 2021.

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