Working to make the promise of the Bill of Rights a reality.
Welcome to Defending Rights & Dissent
Join the grassroots movement to fulfill the promise of the Bill of Rights for everyone. Together, we can make police and intelligence agencies accountable to we the people whom they serve. It’s time to convert your concern and outrage into political action. Let’s do this.
Dissent NewsWire
Interview With DRAD Board Member, Professor Emily Berman
University of Houston Law Center professor and DRAD board member Emily Berman discusses the concerns about FBI director nominee Chris Wray, and the need for strong Congressional oversight of the FBI on Pacifica’s The Monitor with Mark Bebawi (Professor… [Read More]
Campaign to Defend the Right to Boycott Gains Steam
Although the “Israel Anti-Boycott Act” was first introduced in March, in the last 48 hours it has spawned widespread media attention and outrage.
No Commitment On Mosque Surveillance, Muslim Registry, Racial or Religious Profiling, or Police Accountability From Wray. But He’ll Be Confirmed Anyway
Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee believe that Trump’s nominee for FBI Director, Christopher Wray, did not pledge his loyalty to Donald Trump, and will not sweep the Russia investigation under the rug. And apparently very little else matters to them.
Take Action: Tell Congress to Reform or Reject Section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act
We have a chance to rein in mass surveillance, by demanding Congress support serious reforms of Section 702, like requiring a warrant to access our communications or preventing such communications from being swept up and stored in a database in the first place.
Defending Rights & Dissent Joins Transparency Groups in Trying to Prevent CIA from Destroying Records
The CIA recently received tentative approval from the National Archives and Records Administration to destroy files that allegedly have no historical significance. Defending Rights & Dissent joined the National Security Archives, OpenTheGoverment, and Demand Progress in submitting comments opposing the planned destruction of documents.
The next FBI Director should commit to transparency and accountability
Members of the Judiciary Committee have until today to ask questions of Mr. Wray for the record. Senators should use this window to ensure Mr. Wray will be a strong advocate for greater FBI transparency and accountability.
A Government Commission to Decide the “Right” Way to Practice Your Faith
This afternoon, the House of Representatives will debate an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would create two commissions that will decide the right way, and the wrong way, to practice Islam.
What We Learned From Wray’s Confirmation Hearing
Many of the Senators were concerned with the eroding of public trust in the FBI and how to restore business as usual to the agency. But it is precisely business as usual at the FBI we should be concerned about.
Defending Rights & Dissent Leads Civil Liberties Groups in Opposing Massachusetts anti-Boycott Bill
Defending Rights & Dissent was joined by the Center for Constitutional Rights, National Lawyers Guild, Massachusetts Chapter, and Palestine Legal in opposing a Massachusetts bill that threatens the right to boycott.
Victory for Rockville’s Fostering Community Trust Ordinance: Lessons Learned
After nearly four months of advocacy, supporters of the Fostering Community Trust ordinance erupted in applause after a majority of City Councilmembers raised their hands in favor of the measure, which enshrines an unwritten Rockville City Police (RPD) policy into law.